Guidance

British visitors hospitalised in Greece

Updated 3 July 2024

This guidance aims to help you understand more about the national health system in Greece. It gives you information about the assistance the British consular network can offer you during your hospitalisation.

Your stay at a Greek state hospital

The standard of medical care and common practices in Greek state hospitals is similar to that in the UK. However, some people can find that the language barrier and cultural differences cause additional stress to what is an already traumatic experience. Doctors and nurses are not always fluent in English.

The main difference can be found within the services offered by the nursing team. It is normal for relatives, or friends, to attend to the patient’s daily basic needs. Visiting times are flexible in the public wards. It is also common for a relative or friend to stay with the patient for the entire duration of their stay, including at night-time. Private nurses can be employed for a nursing shift of 8 hours. This can be arranged by speaking to the supervisor at the nurses’ station on the ward.  This service will have to be paid for in cash and a receipt should be obtained to submit to your insurance company.

What we can and cannot do for you

When we have been informed of your admittance to hospital, we will contact you as soon as possible. We will provide assistance according to your individual needs and vulnerability.

We can

• provide support and advice over the phone

• depending on where you are located, visit you in hospital

• speak with treating doctors if necessary

• contact your family or friends if you would like us to

• help you contact your insurance company

• continue to offer you support should you be transferred to a state hospital on the mainland

We cannot

• pay your medical bills or other costs

• get your better/different treatment than locals receive

• translate documents or offer official interpreting services

• pay for your medical repatriation or evacuation (medevac)

• contact or visit people who have travelled abroad specifically for optional medical treatment

Admission/discharge paperwork

You, or a family member/friend, must complete the hospital paperwork at the admissions’ office.  Your passport as well as your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)/Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) will be required. Admission paperwork will be prepared and should be taken to the nursing station on your hospital ward.

Upon discharge, you will be given discharge paperwork on your ward, and this must be submitted to the admissions’ office.

Scans/further treatment

Sometimes it is necessary for further tests or scans, which are not available at a public hospital, to be conducted. You may be asked to cover these costs and you can claim back from your private insurance.

If the hospital is unable to provide the necessary treatment for your condition, you will be transferred to a larger state hospital on a different island or the mainland of Greece.

Paying the hospital bill

State hospitals in Greece require payment for treatment to be covered by a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).

If you do not have either with you, you will need to apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) which will cover your hospital costs. When you can call the Overseas Healthcare Team in Newcastle on +44 191 218 1999, listen for instructions on how to speak with an operator to request a PRC or apply online.

You will be asked for your National Insurance (NI) number as well as other personal information.

The PRC should be sent to the treating hospital by email.

Public hospitals do not accept payment from private travel insurance. If you don’t have an EHIC, GHIC or PRC you will need to pay for your treatment in cash.

Private hospitals in Greece

If you are hospitalised at a private hospital/clinic in Greece, your EHIC/GHIC will not be accepted. You will need to supply details of your private holiday insurance policy to the hospital administration.

Contact your insurance company

You should contact your insurance/assistance company to advise them of your hospitalisation and to have a case opened for you. Make a note of your case reference as you will need to quote it in any dealings with your insurance/assistance company. Keep receipts for payments you, or your partner, may incur due to your hospitalisation (for example, taxi fares) to submit with your claim. You/or the patient will usually be asked to sign a consent form for release of patient’s GP records. Upon completion, this should be returned to the insurance company, who will then contact the GP to obtain this information. Provided all medical history was declared when the policy was taken out, the insurance company’s medical team will proceed to confirm cover.

Before you leave the hospital

On discharge you will be given a discharge paper which you need to submit to the admissions desk. Make sure you provide the details of your EHIC/GHIC or Provisional Replacement Certificate before you leave the hospital.

Please be aware any medical reports or contents of medical files should be obtained or applied for in person, prior to leaving the hospital, rather than by e-mail upon your return home. Application procedures vary in each hospital.

Prescriptions

If you are prescribed medication upon your hospital discharge, these can be obtained from a local pharmacy.  Carrying a copy of any prescribed medication you may have been on before coming to Greece can help doctors to find the same or similar medication.

Fit-to-fly certificate

Your airline may require a fit-to-fly certificate. Public hospitals do not normally provide this certificate to you. You may have to make private arrangements via your insurance company or contact a private healthcare provider.

Repatriation

If you have travel insurance and your claim has been accepted, your insurance company will organise your return to the UK.

However, if you do not have insurance or a valid claim, and you are not well enough to travel on a commercial flight, you will need to contact a private repatriation company. Be aware, they can be very expensive.

Sources

Support for British nationals abroad

Healthcare for UK nationals living in Greece

Get healthcare cover abroad with a UK GHIC or UK EHIC

Greece travel advice

Who we are

Consular staff work in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in the UK, and in British embassies, high commissions and consulates overseas. Contact details of all British consular offices in Greece:

	telephone no	address	office hours
British Embassy Athens	(+30) 210 7272600	Ploutarchou 1, Kolonaki 10675 Athens, Greece	Mon-Fri 08.00 – 15.00
British Vice Consulate Corfu	(+30) 26610 23457	Mantzarou 18, 1st floor, 49100, Corfu, Greece	Mon-Fri 08.00 – 15.00
British Vice Consulate Crete	(+30) 2810 224012	Thalita 17, Ag. Dimitrios Sq., 71202, Heraklion, Crete, Greece	Mon-Fri 08.00 – 15.00
British Vice Consulate Rhodes	(+30) 22410 22005	Gr. Lambraki 29, 85100, Rhodes, Greece	Mon-Fri 08.00 – 15.00
British Vice Consulate Zakynthos	(+30) 26950 22906	Foskolou 28, 29100, Zakynthos, Greece	Mon-Fri 08.00 – 15.00

You can also contact us by phone 24/7 for help or advice from anywhere in the world by calling the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office on +44 (0)20 7008 5000. Alternatively, you can send us a written enquiry by using our web form.

Disclaimer

This information has been prepared by HMG officials who are not legally or medically trained. It should therefore never be used as a substitute for professional medical or legal advice. It is intended to help British nationals overseas make their own informed decisions. Neither HMG nor any official of the consulate accept liability for any loss or damage which you might suffer as a result of relying on the information supplied.