Healthcare and insurance are top concerns when settling in Greece.
- Farm exports include olive oil, fruit, wine and seafood.
- As an EU and eurozone member, Greece accesses the European single market.
- Labour costs are more competitive than in Western Europe, appealing to some investors.
Rents outside central Athens are often softer than in many Western European cities.
The public health system (ESY) serves residents, though many add private insurance.
The Greece health system
Public transport in Athens includes a convenient metro, buses and trams.
Fresh food, sunny weather and a relaxed pace are big pluses.
The Vietnamese community is small but present in Athens.
Mandatory health insurance
Opening a bank account requires a passport, tax number and residence documents.
Summers can be very hot, so choose a home with air-conditioning and near the sea if possible.
The cost of living in Greece is among the most comfortable in the EU.
Cost of care
Residence holders must register a tax number (AFM) and a social-security number.
- Greece lies in Southeastern Europe at the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula on the Mediterranean.
- The capital, Athens, is the political and economic hub and the birthplace of Western democracy.
- Greece has a population of about 10.4 million, most following Greek Orthodox Christianity.
- The official language is Greek, while English is widely spoken in tourism and larger cities.
- Greece counts more than 6,000 islands and islets, of which roughly 200 are inhabited.
Care for newcomers
It has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, sunny winters.
A European Union member since 1981 and part of the eurozone, Greece uses the euro (EUR).
Greece belongs to the Schengen Area, allowing free movement across much of Europe.
Tips for using services
Its coastline stretches about 13,600 km, among the longest in the world.
After the 2010s debt crisis, the economy has recovered and returned to growth.
Property, especially in Athens, has rebounded strongly on Golden Visa demand and tourism.
Need a tailored roadmap?
Viking Global Group walks with you from paperwork to settlement. Call +849.219.219.88 or email [email protected] for a free consultation.
Related articles
- Life in Greece: pace, income and social welfare
- Buying property in Greece for residency: the full process
- Living Guide
Frequently asked questions
How is healthcare organised in Greece?
Greece has a public healthcare system with hospitals, health centres and family doctors, alongside an extensive private sector of hospitals and clinics. People contributing to social security can use public services, and many also buy private insurance for faster access and choice.
How do foreign residents access public healthcare?
Legal employees contributing to social security receive a social insurance number giving access to public services. Residents on investment or independent means permits usually need private insurance as a permit condition. Emergency care is provided at public hospitals.
What should people look for in private health insurance?
Check coverage for inpatient and outpatient care, emergencies, maternity and pre-existing conditions, the hospital network, co-payments and exclusions. For residence permits, insurance must meet the levels and scope required by the immigration authorities.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of Greek healthcare?
Doctors are generally well trained, and major hospitals in Athens and Thessaloniki are well equipped. Weaknesses include waiting times in the public system, uneven facilities and limited services on small islands, where serious cases may need transfer to the mainland.
How should newcomers prepare for healthcare in Greece?
Bring medical records and prescriptions in English, register with a family doctor or clinic, save emergency numbers and check that regular medications are available. On islands, know the nearest medical facility and how evacuation to the mainland works.
Information is for reference and may change under the latest official policy. Please contact us for current regulations.
