Private Health Insurance in Greece: Permit Rules, Cover and Costs
For non-EU residents without a Greek job, a private policy is usually part of the permit file. For everyone else it is a way around waiting lists. Here is how the market works.
Private health insurance in Greece is mandatory for most non-EU residence permits that do not come with a Greek job, such as the financially independent person, digital nomad and golden visa permits. Greek and international insurers sell hospital-only and fuller plans, priced by age, medical history and the hospital network you choose.
For people who work in Greece and pay e-EFKA contributions, private cover is optional. They are already in EOPYY, the public health insurer, and buy private plans mainly for faster specialist access and private hospital rooms. This guide explains the rules and how plans differ, as of November 2026. It is not a recommendation of any insurer.
Why do residence permit applicants need private insurance?
Greek immigration rules require applicants to show they will not rely on the public system for healthcare. For permits without a Greek employment contract, that proof is a private policy valid in Greece, submitted with the application and renewed with the permit.
| Permit | Health insurance requirement (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Financially independent person (FIP) | Private policy covering hospital and medical care in Greece |
| Digital nomad | Private policy valid in Greece for the permit period |
| Golden visa (investment) | Private policy for the investor and each family member |
| Work permit with a Greek employer | Public cover through e-EFKA; private optional |
| EU citizen registration | EHIC/S1, Greek social insurance or private cover, depending on status |
The exact wording the authorities accept (minimum cover amounts, repatriation, whether travel insurance counts) can differ between consulates and decentralized administration offices. Ask for the current requirement in writing before you buy, and get a certificate in Greek or English that names the insured people and the dates. See our guides to the financially independent person permit and types of Greek residence permits for the rest of the file.
What do private health plans in Greece cover?
Plans fall into three broad groups. The names differ by insurer, but the structure is similar.
| Plan type | Usually covers | Usually excludes or limits |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital plan | Inpatient stays, surgery, intensive care in network clinics, often with a deductible | Doctor visits, routine tests, medicines outside hospital |
| Outpatient plan | Specialist visits, lab and imaging tests, often at reduced prices in one clinic network | Hospital stays |
| Combined or international plan | Hospital and outpatient, sometimes maternity, cover in several countries | Pre-existing conditions for a period; dental and optical unless added |
Maternity is usually an add-on with its own waiting period, often close to a year from the start of the policy. Read the policy for that number rather than relying on the sales sheet.
How are premiums set?
The main factors are age, the deductible, the hospital network and the annual limit. A plan with a deductible of a few thousand euros and access to a single clinic group costs far less than a plan with no deductible and full access to the big private hospitals in Athens. Premiums rise with age bands, and many Greek plans stop accepting new customers above a certain age.
Long-term health policies have been getting more expensive. From January 2026, annual increases on Greek health contracts longer than one year are tied to an index published by ELSTAT, the Hellenic Statistical Authority, after complaints about steep rises. Insurers’ quotes are personal, so collect two or three for your age and compare the deductible, the network and the exclusions, not only the price.
Which hospital networks matter in Athens?
The large private hospital groups in Attica include Hygeia, Mitera and Lito (maternity), Athens Medical Group, Euroclinic, Metropolitan Hospital and Henry Dunant. Insurers tie plans to some of these, often by “plan tier”. Check whether the hospital nearest to you, and the one with the specialty you are likely to need, is in the network, and whether the emergency department is covered.
How do waiting periods and pre-existing conditions work?
Most Greek plans have waiting periods for some treatments (commonly elective surgery and maternity) and exclude conditions you had before the policy started, either permanently or for a set time. You fill in a health questionnaire, and anything you leave out can be used to refuse a claim later.
- List your existing conditions and regular medicines before you ask for quotes.
- Ask each insurer in writing how each condition will be treated: excluded, covered after a period, or covered with a higher premium.
- Check the age limit for renewal, so the policy does not end when you need it most.
- For a permit, confirm the policy start date matches the application date.
When is the public system enough?
If you pay e-EFKA contributions, EOPYY gives you free public hospital care, a personal doctor and medicines with co-payment. Many insured residents rely on that and pay privately only for occasional specialist visits. Our guide to public healthcare and EOPYY explains what is free. Private cover makes most sense if you need it for a permit, want a private room for planned surgery, or want specialist access without waiting.
For complex medical histories or family policies, a licensed insurance intermediary registered with the Bank of Greece can compare products, but check their registration and how they are paid.
Bottom line
For a permit, buy the policy after you know exactly what the office will accept, not before. For daily life, the useful question is which Athens hospital you would go to and whether your plan covers it without a deductible there.
FAQ
Does travel insurance count for a Greek residence permit?
Usually not for a long-stay permit, since cover must be valid for the permit period and include treatment in Greece. Check with the office handling your application.
Can I join EOPYY later if I start working?
Yes. Once you pay e-EFKA contributions as an employee or freelancer, you are covered by EOPYY along with your registered dependants.
Are international plans accepted?
International plans are often accepted if the certificate shows cover in Greece for the required period. Confirm with the office before buying.
Do private plans cover dental care?
Basic plans rarely do. Dental is usually an optional add-on with low limits.
