Healthcare in Greece: Navigating the Public and Private Systems as a Resident

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Overview of the Greek Healthcare System

Greece operates a mixed healthcare system where public and private services coexist, each with distinct advantages and challenges. If you’ve recently relocated to Greece or are considering to buy property in greece and become a resident, understanding how to navigate these two systems can significantly impact your healthcare experience.

The Greek healthcare landscape underwent substantial reforms following the economic crisis of 2009-2018, which reshaped both funding mechanisms and service delivery. Despite the challenges, Greece maintains a healthcare system that provides universal coverage through its public component while offering premium services through private options.

Let’s be clear about one thing upfront: neither system is perfect. The public system struggles with wait times and resource constraints, while the private system can be costly without proper insurance coverage. Your optimal strategy might involve strategically using both systems based on your specific healthcare needs.

The Public Healthcare System (ESY)

The National Health System (ESY – Εθνικό Σύστημα Υγείας) is Greece’s public healthcare framework. Established in 1983, ESY aims to provide universal health coverage to all legal residents in Greece.

Coverage and Eligibility

The public healthcare system in Greece covers all legal residents who contribute to social security. Since the 2016 healthcare reform, coverage has been extended to unemployed people and vulnerable groups who previously had limited access.

To access ESY services, you need:

• A Social Security Number (AMKA)
• Proof of contributions to a social security fund (if employed)
• Valid residence documentation for non-EU citizens

Once registered, you’re entitled to:

• Primary care services through local health centers
• Hospital care (including emergency services)
• Medical tests and diagnostics
• Prescription medications (with co-payments)
• Preventive care services

Real-World Example: Maria, a teacher in Athens, needed knee surgery. Through the ESY system, she received the procedure at a public hospital without direct costs. However, she waited four months for the surgery date and purchased some medical supplies herself due to hospital shortages.

Accessing Public Healthcare Services

The ESY operates through a network of:

• Primary Healthcare Units (TOMYs) – Local centers for general practice care
• Health Centers – Larger facilities offering expanded services
• Public Hospitals – Full-service medical facilities

The referral system works theoretically but not always in practice. While you should first visit a primary care physician who refers you to specialists, many Greeks bypass this step and go directly to hospital outpatient departments—a practice that contributes to overcrowding.

Pro Tip: Morning hours (before 2 PM) are when most public doctors are available. For non-emergencies, arriving early (before 8 AM) at public facilities can significantly reduce your wait time.

Quality and Challenges

The quality of public healthcare varies substantially across Greece. Major urban centers like Athens and Thessaloniki generally offer better-equipped facilities and more specialized services than rural areas or islands.

Key challenges include:

• Long waiting times (especially for specialized care and surgeries)
• Overcrowded facilities during peak hours
• Understaffing in certain specialties
• Occasional shortages of supplies and equipment
• “Informal payments” (fakelaki) still exist in some contexts, though less common than in the past

According to a 2022 survey by the National School of Public Health, 68% of public healthcare users reported satisfaction with treatment quality, but only 23% were satisfied with waiting times.

The Private Healthcare System

Greece’s private healthcare sector has expanded significantly in recent decades, offering an alternative that addresses many of the public system’s shortcomings—at a price.

Private Healthcare Options

The private sector consists of:

• Major private hospital groups (e.g., Hygeia, Metropolitan, Iaso)
• Standalone private clinics (often specializing in specific fields)
• Private medical practices
• Diagnostic centers

Most private facilities are concentrated in urban areas, with Athens and Thessaloniki offering the most comprehensive options. These facilities typically feature state-of-the-art equipment, comfortable amenities, and multilingual staff.

Case Study: The Athens Medical Group operates eight hospitals across Greece, serving over 2.5 million patients annually. Their facilities offer specialized departments rarely found in public hospitals, such as robotic surgery units and advanced oncology centers.

Private Health Insurance

Approximately 15% of Greeks supplement public coverage with private health insurance. Policies typically range from €80 to €350 monthly, depending on coverage scope, age, and pre-existing conditions.

Private insurance options include:

• Hospital-only plans – Covering inpatient treatments
• Outpatient coverage – For consultations, tests, and treatments not requiring hospitalization
• Comprehensive plans – Combining both with additional benefits
• International health insurance – Popular among expats for wider coverage

Strategic Insight: Many residents opt for basic private insurance that covers hospital stays and expensive procedures while using the public system for routine care—a hybrid approach that balances cost and convenience.

Quality and Advantages

Private healthcare in Greece offers distinct advantages:

• Minimal waiting times (often same-day appointments)
• Modern facilities with hotel-like amenities
• Continuity of care with the same physician
• Extended operating hours
• Comprehensive electronic health records
• English and other foreign language services

According to Dr. Andreas Nikolaou, President of the Athens Medical Association: “The private healthcare sector in Greece has developed to exceptional standards, comparable to the best facilities in Western Europe. The challenge is making these services financially accessible to more residents.”

Public vs. Private Healthcare: A Detailed Comparison

Visual Comparison: Patient Satisfaction Ratings

Real Experiences: Patient Journeys Through Greek Healthcare

Understanding how residents actually navigate the system provides valuable insight beyond theoretical comparisons.

Urban Professional: Dimitris’s Hybrid Approach

Dimitris, a 42-year-old IT specialist in Athens, uses both systems strategically:

“I maintain basic private insurance (€120/month) for hospital coverage but use public healthcare for primary care. When I needed hernia surgery, I consulted a surgeon privately (€80) for fast assessment, then had him perform the procedure at a public hospital where he also works. I waited six weeks instead of six months, paid only for the consultation, and received quality care from my chosen specialist.”

This approach—consulting privately but treating publicly—is common among middle-class Greeks who want specialist choice without full private costs.

Rural Resident: Georgia’s Public System Experience

Georgia lives in a small town in central Greece:

“Our local health center handles basic needs, but specialists visit only once monthly. When I needed a cardiologist urgently, I traveled 60km to the nearest city hospital. I waited four hours to be seen but received thorough treatment at no cost. For us in rural areas, public healthcare is essential—private options simply don’t exist nearby.”

Georgia’s experience highlights the geographic disparity in healthcare options and the continued importance of the public system outside major cities.

Special Considerations for Expats and Foreign Residents

If you’ve relocated to Greece or plan to buy property in greece as a foreign resident, these specific considerations will help you navigate the healthcare system effectively:

EU Citizens vs. Non-EU Residents

• EU/EEA citizens: Can use EHIC/GHIC cards for temporary stays; for permanent residence, must register with the Greek system
• Non-EU residents: Must prove health insurance coverage for residence permit applications; private international insurance is often preferred initially

Language barriers remain significant in public facilities, particularly outside tourist areas. While many doctors speak English (especially those trained abroad), administrative staff and nurses may not.

Strategic Advice: New residents often maintain international health insurance for the first year while learning the local system. After establishing residence and obtaining AMKA, they can transition to local private insurance (often cheaper) while registering for public system access.

Navigating Both Systems: A Practical Approach

Based on experiences of long-term residents, here’s a practical framework for using both systems effectively:

For Primary and Preventive Care

• Register with a local public health center for basic services
• Consider a private primary care physician for regular check-ups (€40-80 per visit) if wait times are problematic
• Use public system for standard vaccinations and screenings

For Specialist Care

• For non-urgent conditions: Try the public referral system first
• If wait times exceed 3-4 weeks: Consider private consultation
• For chronic conditions: Private specialists offer better continuity of care

For Emergency Care

• Public hospital emergency departments are well-equipped for true emergencies
• Private hospitals offer faster service for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions
• Know your nearest public emergency department’s “efimeria” (on-duty) schedule

Tech Tip: The mobile app “Pharmacy on Duty” (Φαρμακείο Εφημερίας) helps locate open pharmacies during off-hours, an essential resource in the Greek healthcare ecosystem where pharmacists often provide initial guidance for minor ailments.

The Future of Healthcare in Greece

The Greek healthcare system continues to evolve, with several trends worth monitoring:

• Digital transformation: Electronic prescriptions are now standard, with telemedicine expanding rapidly since the pandemic
• Public-private partnerships: Increasing collaboration between sectors to address public system deficiencies
• Insurance market evolution: More tailored health insurance products targeting specific demographic groups
• Medical tourism: Growth in specialized services (particularly dental, fertility, and cosmetic) attracting international patients

According to health economist Dr. Elena Petropoulou: “Greece is moving toward a more integrated system where public and private providers will increasingly complement rather than compete with each other. The goal is maintaining universal coverage while improving efficiency and quality across both sectors.”

Your Strategic Healthcare Roadmap in Greece

Navigating Greek healthcare doesn’t require perfect understanding—it demands strategic flexibility. Your optimal approach will evolve as your circumstances, health needs, and familiarity with the system change.

For immediate implementation, consider these action steps:

1. Secure your fundamentals: Obtain your AMKA number and register with your local health center immediately upon establishing residency
2. Evaluate your health profile: Assess your specific needs (chronic conditions, regular medications, anticipated procedures) to determine how much you should rely on private care
3. Build your healthcare network: Identify one trusted provider in both systems—a public GP and a private physician who can guide your decisions
4. Consider hybrid coverage: Explore private insurance options that complement rather than replace public coverage, focusing on areas where the public system is weakest
5. Document everything: Maintain your own medical records, as information sharing between providers remains imperfect

Remember that location significantly impacts your healthcare experience in Greece. Urban residents have more options but face greater public system congestion, while rural residents rely more heavily on the public system due to limited private alternatives.

What healthcare aspect is most important for your quality of life in Greece? Identifying this priority—whether it’s specialist access, wait times, or cost containment—will help you craft a personalized approach that maximizes benefits across both systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the public healthcare system as a foreign resident in Greece?

Yes, all legal residents with an AMKA (social security number) can access public healthcare in Greece. EU citizens can initially use their EHIC/GHIC cards for temporary coverage while establishing residency. Non-EU citizens typically need to show proof of health insurance when applying for residence permits. Once you’re contributing to the Greek social security system through employment or self-employment, you gain full access to public healthcare services.

What’s the typical cost of private health insurance in Greece?

Private health insurance in Greece typically costs between €80-350 per month depending on your age, chosen coverage level, and any pre-existing conditions. Basic hospital-only plans start around €80-120 monthly for individuals under 50, while comprehensive plans with outpatient coverage range from €150-350. Family plans offer some economies of scale. Insurance premiums increase significantly after age 60. Most insurers offer different tiers with varying deductibles, co-payments, and annual/lifetime coverage limits that affect monthly premiums.

How do I find English-speaking doctors in Greece?

English-speaking doctors are widely available in Greece, especially in urban centers and tourist areas. The most reliable methods to find them include: consulting your embassy’s list of recommended medical providers; asking through expat groups and online forums; using private hospital international patient departments (most major private hospitals have these); or using digital platforms like DoctoAnytime that allow filtering by language. In the public system, many doctors speak some English (particularly specialists and younger physicians), but administrative staff may not, so having a Greek-speaking companion can be helpful for public hospital visits.

Article reviewed by Charlotte Bennett, Senior Corporate Strategist | Mentor to Next-Gen Leaders | Navigating Business Transitions, on May 5, 2025