Greece's Private Insurance: What You Need To Know

Greece has a mixed health system, with both a public and private healthcare system. The public system, known as the National Health System of Greece (ESY), guarantees free healthcare for all Greek residents and citizens. The private healthcare sector is extensive and includes doctors in private practice, autonomous physicians, and those working in diagnostic centres, laboratories, and private hospital outpatient departments. Private health insurance is often taken out by Greek citizens to cover any medical expenses not covered by the public health scheme, and to avoid long waiting times. Expats who prefer to be treated at private medical centres in Greece are also encouraged to take out private medical insurance.

Greece's public healthcare system

Greece has one of the most extensive and developed public insurance systems in the EU, known as EFKA. It is funded by social security payments and provides Greek citizens and permanent residents with universal healthcare, family benefits, and life insurance compensation.

The National Health System of Greece (ESY) guarantees free healthcare for all Greek residents and citizens. It is provided under the EFKA umbrella and covers not only public but certain private medical services as well. Citizens and residents covered by EFKA can access free healthcare in Greece. EU visitors who spend up to 90 days in a 180-day period in Greece can use their EHIC to get free medical treatment on the same terms as Greek nationals.

Primary healthcare is provided through ESY and includes rural health centres, surgeries, and public hospital outpatient departments. Other public primary healthcare is provided through health centres operated by social insurance funds, local authorities, and municipalities.

The public healthcare system in Greece manages around 130 general and specialized hospitals financed by the state budget and social insurance funds. It provides emergency, outpatient, and inpatient care, as well as about 200 primary care health centres and 1,500 rural medical centres that provide free primary care services in rural areas.

Greece's healthcare system is organised by the central government in Athens, but the services are delivered on a regional basis. The services are broadly divided into primary, secondary, and tertiary tiers of service delivery. According to the type of services they offer, Greek hospitals are categorised as either general or specialised. General hospitals include multi-speciality departments across most disciplines of medicine, while specialised hospitals are referral centres usually for a single speciality.

Although the Greek healthcare system has ranked highly in comparison to the rest of the world, long waiting times have become more common, with services outside of major cities becoming stretched.

Private health insurance providers

Greece has a mixed health system, with both a public and private healthcare sector. The public healthcare system is funded by compulsory social insurance contributions, and around 15% of the population also maintains private health insurance.

Private health insurance is often taken out by those who want to avoid long waiting times and want access to better facilities and equipment. Private health insurance is also beneficial for those who live in rural areas or on outlying islands, as public medical facilities are not present on every Greek island.

Expats living in Greece are encouraged to take out supplementary private insurance, and most companies offer ready-made or customizable international plans for this purpose.

International health insurance plans

Greece has a National Health System (ESY) that provides free or low-cost healthcare to its citizens and long-term residents. However, the system can be complex and can involve long waiting times, especially outside of Athens and other cities. For this reason, many Greek citizens and expats opt for private health insurance.

• Now Health International's WorldCare Plans: These plans offer annual maximum plan limits ranging from EUR 800k to EUR 3.6M. The WorldCare Essential Plan, starting at EUR 26 per month, covers inpatient and day-patient care. More expensive plans also cover outpatient care, dental treatment, and maternity care.
• Bupa Global's Private Health Insurance: This plan offers international private health insurance, including treatment coverage at home and abroad, global evacuation, virtual appointments, private hospital accommodation, and access to premium international medical facilities. Bupa Global also offers the Major Medical Health Plan, which is their most affordable international health cover.
• Cigna Global Insurance Plan: This plan offers flexible coverage tailored to individual needs, access to Cigna Global's trusted network of hospitals and doctors, and 24/7/365 customer service.

Private medical facilities

Private health insurance plans with international coverage are available to Greek residents. These plans offer benefits such as treatment within plan limits at home and abroad, global evacuation if the required treatment is unavailable locally, virtual appointments with doctors worldwide, private hospital accommodation, and access to premium international medical facilities in the country of choice.

In Greece, employed and self-employed expats must pay social security contributions, which entitle them and their families to free healthcare, family, life, and other types of public insurance. However, expats are encouraged to take out supplementary private insurance, which covers on-the-road treatment, pre-existing condition treatment, and overseas evacuation.

Public vs private healthcare costs

Greece has one of the most extensive and developed public insurance systems in the EU, known as EFKA. It is funded by social security payments and provides residents with universal healthcare, family benefits, and life insurance compensation. The system is compulsory for all citizens and permanent residents, with some exceptions.

Public Healthcare Costs

The Greek public healthcare system, ESY, provides free or low-cost healthcare to all residents who qualify. This includes EU citizens with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and retirees from EU countries receiving their pension from their home country. Expats and their families can also access public healthcare if they contribute to the Social Insurance Institute (IKA) through a social security system called AMKA. Medical care by IKA-approved practitioners is generally free, but patients must pay a fee for prescribed medications.

Public healthcare in Greece covers a range of services, including:

• General and specialist care
• Emergency transportation
• Preventive dental care and treatment
• Orthodontic treatment for children under 13
• Laboratory services
• Maternity care
• Medical-related appliances or devices

Private Healthcare Costs

Around 15% of the Greek population maintains private health insurance to access more options and cut down waiting times. Private healthcare insurance is available in Greece, and it is often chosen by expats from non-EU countries. There are two main types:

• Medical coverage that provides access to all hospitals in Greece (must be obtained before the age of 65)
• Medical coverage that provides access to all hospitals/clinics within a selected network (must be obtained before the age of 80)

Private insurance plans typically offer coverage of 80% to 85% of medical treatment and services within the private healthcare network. The cost of these plans is often lower than similar coverage in other countries like the United States.

Private insurance can cover expenses that public insurance does not, including:

• Full range of primary healthcare
• Specialists' fees
• Treatment in the country's best hospitals
• Advanced dental treatment
• Elective cosmetic surgery

Greece offers a comprehensive public healthcare system that provides free or low-cost healthcare to its residents. However, some individuals opt for private healthcare insurance to access additional benefits, reduce waiting times, and receive treatment in private hospitals. The cost of private healthcare insurance in Greece varies depending on the chosen plan and the individual's needs.

Frequently asked questions