Private health insurance in Greece is required for most foreigners who move there without working locally. Greek law makes full health cover a condition of a residence permit, and people who do not pay into Greek social insurance usually meet it with a private policy. Golden Visa investors must show a private policy covering all health risks, and financially independent persons need full cover too. Workers and S1 holders can use the public system instead.
Last checked: October 2026
At a glance
- Article 8 of the Migration Code (Law 5038/2023) requires residence permit holders to have full sickness insurance covering the same risks as Greek nationals.
- Workers are covered through Greek social insurance. Others usually need a private policy, unless a foreign body already covers them in Greece.
- The Ministry of Migration and Asylum asks Golden Visa applicants for a private insurance contract covering all health and safety risks, at first application and at renewal.
- National visa applicants need travel insurance for the length of the visa, covering medical repatriation and emergency hospital care.
- Care at public health centres and hospitals has no patient co-payment for the EOPYY benefits package, according to EOPYY.
- EU pensioners and UK State Pensioners may use an S1 form for public cover.
How the Greek public health system works
Greece has a national health system (ESY) of public hospitals and health centres, plus private doctors and labs under contract with EOPYY. EOPYY is the National Organisation for the Provision of Health Services, which funds the public benefits package.
EOPYY describes the main parts as follows:
- Primary care runs through health centres (PEDY), with rural surgeries and local health units (TOMY) linked to them.
- Public hospitals provide inpatient care and outpatient specialist clinics, which are the main specialist providers in cities.
- Private doctors, laboratories and diagnostic centres can contract with EOPYY. Each contracted doctor has a cap of 200 EOPYY visits a month.
Care in public facilities has no co-payment for services in the EOPYY package. Contracted private providers can charge a co-payment set in the Unified Health Benefits Regulation (EKPY). EOPYY’s cost page was last updated in December 2021, so check current rates.
UK government guidance, last updated in October 2021, says patients pay around 25% of prescription costs, with reduced or free medicines for some conditions. It also says non-emergency hospital care needs a referral from an EOPYY doctor, health centre or TOMY.
Healthcare in Greece for foreigners: who can use the public system
Access to public healthcare in Greece for foreigners depends on your insurance status, not your nationality. EOPYY says the same for EU citizens: coverage follows employment status and country of residence.
| Your situation | Public cover | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Working in Greece | Yes, through Greek social insurance | Get a social security number (AMKA) and register with EOPYY |
| EU pensioner or worker insured in another EU country | Yes, through an S1 form | Register the S1 with e-EFKA and use an EU-AMKA |
| UK State Pensioner living in Greece | Yes, through a UK S1 | Request the S1 from NHS Overseas Healthcare Services, then register it with EOPYY |
| Short-term visitor from the EU | Necessary care only | Use a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) |
| Not working, no S1 | Usually no | Take out private health insurance |
Most non-EU buyers who move on a financially independent person permit or a Golden Visa fall into the last row. UK guidance says that if you are not working and have no registered S1, you will have to take out private health insurance.
Private health insurance Greece rules for residence permits
Health cover is a legal condition of almost every Greek residence permit. The rule sits in the Migration Code, with extra wording for some permits.
| Stage or permit | Health cover required | Source |
|---|---|---|
| National (type D) visa application | Travel insurance valid for the length of the visa, covering medical repatriation and emergency medical and hospital care | Visa centre for the Greek Consulate in London |
| Any residence permit under the Migration Code | Full sickness insurance covering the same risks as Greek nationals. Workers are covered by social insurance, others by private insurers unless a foreign body covers them in Greece | Article 8, Law 5038/2023 |
| Golden Visa (investor permit) | A contract with a private insurer covering all health and safety risks, at application and renewal | Ministry of Migration and Asylum |
| Financially independent person (FIP) | The general Article 8 rule applies, so non-workers usually need private cover | Article 8, Law 5038/2023 |
Travel insurance for the visa and health insurance for the permit are not the same thing. A short travel policy may satisfy the consulate but not the permit office in Greece.
Our guides to the FIP visa, the digital nomad visa and Golden Visa residence permits set out the other documents for each route.
What to check in a private policy
Private policies vary widely, and Greek law sets the outcome rather than a standard form. Before you buy, check the policy against the permit wording and your own needs.
- Scope of cover. The permit rule refers to the same risks as Greek nationals, or for Golden Visa holders all health and safety risks. Check that inpatient care, outpatient care and emergencies are included.
- Territory. Make sure the policy covers treatment in Greece, not only emergencies while travelling.
- Duration. The policy should last at least as long as the permit, or you should be able to renew it without a gap.
- Exclusions. Look for limits on existing conditions, age limits and waiting periods.
- Family members. Each family member who receives a permit needs cover.
- Proof. Ask for a certificate that names you, the cover and the dates, and check whether the permit office needs an official Greek translation.
- Renewal. Golden Visa renewals require a new private policy on the same terms, so keep cover continuous.
Compare several insurers and ask each one to confirm in writing that the policy meets Greek residence permit rules. Prices depend on age, health and cover, so obtain quotes before you budget. Our cost of living guide helps with the rest of the monthly budget.
Using public and private care together
Many residents use both systems. Public cover suits people who work in Greece or hold an S1, while private cover gives access to private providers on the terms of the policy.
If you start working in Greece, you join social insurance, which then covers you for the permit rule. If you retire to Greece with an EU or UK State Pension, check whether an S1 applies before buying a private policy. Our retire in Greece hub covers pensions and tax for retirees.
In an emergency, go to the nearest public hospital. Visitors from the EU can use an EHIC there for necessary care.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need private health insurance to live in Greece?
Usually yes, if you do not work in Greece and have no S1 form. The Migration Code requires full health cover for residence permits, and non-workers normally meet it with a private policy.
Does the Golden Visa require health insurance?
Yes, the Ministry of Migration and Asylum asks for a private insurance contract covering all health and safety risks. A new policy on the same terms is needed at renewal.
Can foreigners use public healthcare in Greece?
Yes, if they are insured through Greek social insurance or registered with an S1 form. Visitors from the EU can use an EHIC for necessary care.
Is public healthcare free in Greece?
Care at public health centres and hospitals has no patient co-payment for the EOPYY benefits package. Contracted private providers and medicines can involve co-payments.
Is travel insurance enough for a Greek residence permit?
Travel insurance is required for the national visa, but the residence permit needs full sickness insurance. Check that your policy covers treatment in Greece for the whole permit period.
Can UK pensioners get healthcare in Greece?
UK State Pensioners living in Greece may get state healthcare paid by the UK through an S1 form. Request it from NHS Overseas Healthcare Services and register it with EOPYY.
Buyers should confirm how this applies to them with a Greek lawyer or accountant. See also our Golden Visa guide.
Sources
- Ministry of Migration and Asylum: Golden Visa
- EOPYY: Accessing health services in Greece for EU citizens
- EOPYY: Statutory healthcare costs reimbursement in Greece
- EOPYY: Moving to Greece for EU citizens
- GOV.UK: Healthcare in Greece
- Visa application centre for the Greek Consulate in London: National D visas
- Migration Code, Law 5038/2023, Article 8
