Top Hospitals in Greece for Expats and Health Insurance Tips

Expats in Greece have access to some of the country’s best hospitals, including Hygeia Hospital, Metropolitan Hospital, Interbalkan Medical Center, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, and more. Most of these facilities are located in major cities like Athens and Thessaloniki and offer high-quality care, often with English-speaking staff.

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This guide highlights the top hospitals for expats in Greece, explains how the local healthcare system works, and offers advice on choosing the right health insurance to ensure smooth access to both public and private medical services while safeguarding your health and peace of mind throughout your journey abroad.

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Leading Hospitals in Greece for Expats

Image of Busy Scene At Monastiraki Square With People And Shops In Athens with text overlay of "Leading Hospitals in Greece for Expats"

  1. Hygeia Hospital, Athens

Erythrou Stavrou 4, Marousi 151 23, Athens

+30 210 686 7000

  1. Metropolitan Hospital, Athens

Ethnarchou Makariou 9 & El. Venizelou 1, Neo Faliro 185 47, Piraeus

+30 210 480 9000

  1. Interbalkan Medical Center, Thessaloniki

Asklipiou 10, Pylaia 555 35, Thessaloniki

+30 231 040 0000

  1. Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens

Leof. Andrea Siggrou 356, Kallithea 176 74, Athens

+30 210 949 3000

  1. Athens Medical Center, Athens

Distomou 5-7, Marousi 151 25, Athens

+30 210 619 8100

  1. Mediterraneo Hospital, Athens

Ilias 8-12, Glyfada 166 75, Athens

+30 210 911 7000

  1. Mitera Hospital, Athens

Erythrou Stavrou 6, Marousi 151 23, Athens

+30 210 686 9000

  1. Attikon University Hospital, Athens

Rimini 1, Chaidari 124 62, Athens

+30 210 583 1000

  1. Evangelismos General Hospital, Athens

Ipsilantou 45-47, Athina 106 76, Athens

+30 213 204 1000


  1. Ippokrateio General Hospital, Thessaloniki

Konstantinoupoleos 49, Thessaloniki 546 42, Greece

+30 231 331 2000

  1. Henry Dunant Hospital Center, Athens

Mesogeion 107, Athina 115 26, Athens

+30 210 697 2000

  1. Iaso General Hospital, Athens

Leof. Mesogeion 264, Cholargos 155 62, Athens

+30 210 620 0000

  1. Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki

Agiou Pavlou 76, Ag. Pavlos 564 29, Greece

+30 231 332 3000

  1. Euromedica General Clinic, Thessaloniki

Marias Kallas 11 & Gravias 2, Thessaloniki 546 45, Greece

+30 231 089 5100

  1. University General Hospital of Heraklion, Crete

Leof. Panepistimiou, Iraklio 715 00, Greece

+30 281 039 2111

  1. Henry Dunant Hospital Center, Athens

Leof. Mesogeion 107, Athina 115 26, Athens

+30 210 697 2000

  1. Euroclinic, Athens

Athanasiadou 7-9, Athina 115 21, Athens

+30 210 641 6600

  1. General Hospital of Nikaia “Agios Panteleimon”, Piraeus
  2. Mantouvalou 3, Nikaia 184 54, Piraeus

+30 213 207 7000

  1. Leto Maternity Hospital, Athens

Mouson 7-13, Athina 115 24, Athens

+30 210 690 2000

  1. General University Hospital of Patras

Patras-Ioannina National Road, Rio 265 04, Patras

+30 261 360 3000

Tips to Choose the Best Hospital in Greece

Expats in Greece can choose the right hospital by following our key tips below: 

  • Hospital Accreditation: Greece’s hospitals can vary greatly in quality depending on where you are in the country, so international accreditations such as JCI, can provide assurance of global healthcare standards.
  • English-Speaking Service: The availability of English-speaking staff is crucial for clear communication about your health concerns and treatment options.
  • Hospital Facilities: Hospitals using modern facilities and up-to-date medical equipment more often have better treatment outcomes. 
  • Expat Experience: Hospitals that have previous experience with international patients can be a significant advantage, as these hospitals generally have a better understanding of the unique needs and concerns of expats.

Understanding Greece’s Public Healthcare

Greece has a universal public healthcare system, known as the National Healthcare Service (ESY). It guarantees free healthcare for all Greek residents and citizens. Healthcare services are also provided to EU and non-EU residents on the basis of bilateral or multilateral agreements.

Expats who are working, residing, or retiring in Greece must contribute to the social security system IKA. By doing so, they can access free or subsidized healthcare in the country.

The public healthcare system manages around 130 general and specialized hospitals to provide emergency, in-patient, and outpatient care. It also consists of about 200 primary care health centers and 1,500 rural medical centers that provide primary care services in rural areas.

What Are the Hospital Options in Greece for Expats?

There are two kinds of hospitals in Greece— general and specialized. General hospitals have multiple specialty departments for medical cases; Specialized hospitals focus on one single specialty where you have a better chance to receive rare or complex treatments.

How is the Quality of Hospitals in Greece?

The quality of care in public hospitals is decent, and many Greek doctors are well-trained with completed education abroad in North America or the UK. Despite that, such quality services are not present on every Greek island. Resources are also very limited even if provided.

Greece has an overall well-rounded healthcare. Most people can receive necessary care, except when unexpected illnesses or incidents happen while on an outlying island. One effective way to ensure access to hospital treatment promptly is to secure comprehensive international health insurance.

Private Healthcare System in Greece

Private healthcare in Greece has been growing rapidly as the healthcare system is moving towards greater privatization. The private sector is generally less affected by the country’s economic situation, hence possessing better facilities and equipment. 

Private hospitals and clinics typically have shorter wait times, and amenities that might be lacking in public hospitals. Many expats and tourists prefer private healthcare for these reasons, as well as the greater likelihood of finding English-speaking staff.

That said, treatment in private facilities is expensive. We recommend expats who opt for private healthcare in Greece should have private health insurance. It covers medical treatments under policy terms to give peace of mind and financial security.

Top Health Insurance Providers for Expats

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Pacific Prime recommends Morgan Price, GeoBlue, and Cigna as the best international health insurance providers for expats in Greece.

Morgan Price

Morgan Price’s International health insurance plan is very affordable. The pricing was made flexible with a range of deductible options, from USD $0 -10,000. The plan covers inpatient and outpatient, and emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage.

Dental, annual health checks, and maternity coverage are also available after a waiting period, while vaccination and optical coverage comes with a USD $100 annual limit.

  • 24/7 Helpline
  • Flexible Deductibles and Premiums
  • Cutting-edge Claims Processing
  • Maximum Annual Benefits Limits up to USD $2,000,000

Plan DetailsGet a Quote

GeoBlue Xplorer

GeoBlue Xplorer plan provides access to a premium international network of hospitals and physicians. To acquire coverage in the US, expats have the options Xplorer Premier or Xplorer Essential with add-on coverage, and the Premier plan provides a more comprehensive US coverage.

  • Worldwide coverage
  • Network of providers spanning more than 180 countries and territories
  • 24/7 telemedicine support
  • Inpatient medical emergencies
  • Yearly Body Check

Plan DetailsGet a Quote

Cigna Global

Cigna Global provides coverage to over 200 countries and jurisdictions, and offers year-round customer support in more than 50 languages. 

Expats can choose between the most basic Close Care plan for only emergency treatments and the most comprehensive Platinum plan with unlimited coverage.

  • Worldwide Coverage (excluding the US)
  • Access to Cigna’s trusted network of hospitals and doctors
  • Numerous Deductible Options
  • 24/7 Customer Support
  • 4 Core Insurance Plans

Plan DetailsGet a Quote

Important Emergency Numbers in Greece

When facing emergency situations, these emergency contacts can be life-saving.

  • 112- European Emergency Number
  • 100- Police Emergency
  • 166- Ambulance Service
  • 199- Fire Department
  • 108- Coast Guard
  • 171- Tourist Police 
  • 14944- Doctors on Call

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-rated hospitals in Greece for expats?

Many expats seek hospitals that have English-speaking staff and international standards of care. Some well-regarded options include the Hygeia Hospital in Athens and the Interbalkan Medical Center in Thessaloniki.

Do hospitals in Greece accept international health insurance?

Yes, many private hospitals in Greece accept international health insurance. It’s advisable for expats to check with their insurance provider and the hospital beforehand to ensure coverage.

What should expats know about the healthcare system in Greece?

Expats should be aware that Greece has both public and private healthcare systems. While public hospitals offer services at lower costs, private hospitals often provide quicker access and more comfortable facilities. Understanding how to navigate these options can help you get the best care.

Conclusion

The public healthcare sector in Greece provides universal care to residents, yet private health insurance is recommended to supplement universal coverage, allowing shorter wait times, specialized care, and access to English-speaking staff.

Given the variety of plans available in the market, reviewing them one by one is a daunting task. And Pacific Prime is here for this particular reason—we have over 20 years of experience in comparing and finding the best-fitting health insurance plan to safeguard the journey of many expats.

Contact our team of insurance experts today, or start by getting a quote from renowned insurers through our online quotation system.

Content Creator at Pacific Prime
Eric is an experienced content writer specializing in writing creative copies of marketing materials including social media posts, advertisements, landing pages, and video scripts.

Since joining Pacific Prime, Eric was exposed to a new world of insurance. Having learned about insurance products extensively, he has taken joy and satisfaction in helping individuals and businesses manage risks and protect themselves against financial loss through the power of words.

Although born and raised in Hong Kong, he spent a quarter of his life living and studying in the UK. He believes his multicultural experience is a great asset in understanding the needs and wants of expats and globe-trotters.

Eric’s strengths lie in his strong research, analytical, and communication skills, obtained through his BA in Linguistics from the University of York and MSc in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the University of Bristol.

Outside of work, he enjoys some me-time gaming and reading on his own, occasionally going absolutely mental on a night out with friends.
Eric Chung
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