Study abroad in Greece

Greece has a public healthcare system (ESY — Ethnikó Sýstima Ygeías) funded by the state and social insurance contributions. EU/EEA students with a valid EHIC card are entitled to medically necessary treatment at Greek public hospitals at no cost. Non-EU students must hold private health insurance that meets both Greek visa and university enrolment requirements before arrival. Healthcare quality varies: Athens and Thessaloniki have large, well-equipped university hospitals (AHEPA, Laiko, Evangelismos), but waiting times in public facilities can be long. English is spoken by most hospital doctors in major cities, especially in university clinic settings.

EU students: bring EHIC and keep it accessible throughout your stay. Register with your host university's student health clinic (ιατρείο) in the first week — it handles non-emergency consultations and referrals at no cost. Non-EU students: arrange compliant private insurance before departure and carry the policy document at all times; ask the international office for a list of accepted insurers. All students: pharmacies (φαρμακείο) are widely available, often open late, and pharmacists handle minor illness advice well — a useful first stop for colds, minor injuries, and prescription-light issues.

Call 112 for all emergencies (ambulance, fire, police). For urgent medical advice outside clinic hours, go to the nearest public hospital emergency department (τμήμα επειγόντων περιστατικών) — all patients are treated regardless of insurance status. EKAB (Greek ambulance service) can also be reached directly on 166 in some regions. For non-urgent care, use your campus student clinic first, then a GP referral for specialist access.