Private Health Insurance in Greece: Everything Expats Need to Know

Moving to Greece sounds like a dream—sunshine, islands, good food, and a slower way of life. But along with the good stuff, there’s something important to figure out early: healthcare. To feel safe and prepared, you need to know how the Greek system works and why private health insurance is so important for many foreigners.

Public Healthcare in Greece and Its Limits for Expats

Greece has a public healthcare system called ESY, funded through EFKA (the national social security fund). Employees and the self-employed contribute to EFKA and gain access to the public system. EU citizens visiting Greece temporarily can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for emergency and essential care.

But here’s the reality: just moving to Greece doesn’t give you automatic access. You need a Greek social security number (AMKA) and must actively contribute to EFKA. Non-EU citizens face stricter rules—without official employment and contributions, you have no access to ESY. This makes private health insurance essential from day one.

On top of that, several residence permits—including the Golden Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, and retirement visas—require proof of private health insurance before approval. In practice, you cannot legally reside in Greece without it.

Even if you eventually gain access to ESY, public care can be slow and frustrating. Specialist appointments may take weeks or months, many islands and rural towns have limited staff, and English-speaking doctors in the public system are rare. This explains why so many expats opt for private health insurance.

🌍 Check out our guide to navigating the Greek healthcare system for a comprehensive overview

Private Health Insurance and Residency Requirements

For non-EU citizens, private health insurance isn’t just a safety net—it’s a legal requirement. When you apply for a visa or residence permit, Greek consulates will ask for proof of coverage.

• Golden Visa applicants need at least hospital coverage.
• Digital Nomad Visa holders must have comprehensive health insurance valid in Greece.
• Retirees and financially independent applicants are also required to provide insurance proof.

If you cannot show adequate coverage, your residence application will be rejected. Later, if you contribute to EFKA, you’ll gain access to public healthcare. However, many expats keep their private plans because they want faster, more reliable, and English-speaking care.

Why Expats Choose Private Insurance

The public system in Greece covers basic needs, but it is not designed for speed, convenience, or comfort. Private health insurance, on the other hand, gives expats access to the best healthcare in Greece:

• Top private hospitals and clinics with modern facilities and cutting-edge equipment.
• English-speaking doctors and staff, essential for those still learning Greek.
• Shorter wait times: an MRI that may take months publicly can be scheduled within days privately.
• Faster tests and results: blood tests and ultrasounds are often done the same day.
• Private-only hospitals (like Hygeia and Metropolitan in Athens) available exclusively to insured patients.

For many expats used to efficient healthcare systems, private insurance brings peace of mind. It’s also particularly valuable for frequent travelers, as international policies cover treatment outside Greece as well.

How Private Health Insurance Works in Greece

Expats can choose between local Greek insurance companies and international providers.

Local insurers

Companies like Interamerican, Ethniki Insurance, Generali Hellas, and Eurolife FFH specialize in coverage inside Greece. They are generally more affordable and work with top private hospitals. These plans are best for expats who intend to stay in Greece long-term without much international travel.

International insurers

Companies such as Cigna Global, Allianz Care, AXA Global Healthcare, Bupa Global, and Now Health International are tailored for mobile expats. They provide worldwide coverage and offer extras like medical evacuation, preventive health programs, and mental health support. These plans are more expensive but ideal for those splitting time between countries.

What Private Health Insurance Covers

Coverage varies by plan, but most policies include:

• Inpatient care: hospital stays, surgery, and intensive care.
• Outpatient care: doctor visits, diagnostic scans, lab tests, and prescriptions.
• Emergency services: ambulance transfers, urgent admissions, and even evacuation.
• Maternity coverage: available after a waiting period, but often excluded for people over 50.
• Dental and optical care: often add-ons rather than included.
• Preventive health services: annual check-ups, vaccinations, screenings.
• Mental health support: more common in international policies.

Our take: Outpatient care is especially important. Hospital stays may be rare, but everyday consultations, blood work, and scans quickly add up. Without coverage, you could be paying out of pocket more often than you think.

How Much Does Private Health Insurance Cost?

The cost of private health insurance in Greece depends heavily on your age, health condition, coverage type, and whether you choose a local or international insurer. Younger, healthy expats will pay much less than retirees, and international plans are always more expensive because they cover multiple countries.

Here are some examples to give you a clearer picture:

• Age 30: A healthy 30-year-old may pay €60–€80 per month for a local plan with inpatient and outpatient coverage. Basic inpatient-only policies may start around €25–€40 per month. A full international plan with global coverage and extras can exceed €200 per month.
• Age 55: A 55-year-old expat can expect to pay around €120–€180 per month for a local comprehensive plan. International coverage at this age usually starts at €250 per month and rises depending on extras like dental.
• Age 65: Retirees typically face the steepest increases. A 65-year-old can expect to pay between €200–€300 per month for a local plan. International policies for this age often begin at €350–€400 per month, with higher costs for extended coverage and add-ons. If the person has pre-existing conditions, insurers may apply significant surcharges, exclusions, or require waiting periods. In such cases, a 65-year-old could see premiums rising closer to €450–€600 per month for international plans, depending on the condition and the insurer’s underwriting rules.

Premiums rise significantly with age. Insurers also regularly adjust prices—several in Greece announced increases of up to 14% in 2025.

Pro tip: If you plan to retire in Greece, consider applying for a policy before you turn 60. While you cannot lock in one price for life, joining earlier usually makes acceptance easier, avoids exclusions, and helps you access better coverage options. After 60, rates rise steeply and insurers may impose stricter conditions.

Our take: Applying while you are younger and healthier doesn’t freeze your premium for life, but it gives you the best chance at wide coverage with fewer restrictions. Once you’re older, getting accepted can become much harder, and insurers may limit what they cover.

Final Thoughts

Greece’s public healthcare system works, but it can be slow, limited, and challenging for foreigners who don’t speak Greek. Private health insurance solves those problems by offering access to modern hospitals, skilled doctors, faster service, and English-speaking care.

For non-EU expats, it’s also a legal requirement for residency. Whether you’re applying for a Golden Visa, a Digital Nomad Visa, or planning to retire in Greece, you’ll need private coverage before your permit is approved.

Local insurers provide affordable, practical plans for expats committed to life in Greece. International insurers give peace of mind and flexibility to those who travel frequently or split their time abroad. In both cases, private health insurance is less of a luxury and more of a necessity for anyone planning to build a safe, healthy life in Greece.