• Individual plans
• Family plans
• Group plans
• Travel plans
• Teacher plans

Greece Expat Health Insurance

Considered the “cradle of Western Civilization”, Greece (officially the Hellenic Republic) juts into the Mediterranean Sea, and borders Turkey, Albania, Bulgaria and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The Olympic Games, philosophy, and democracy all trace their roots to ancient Greece; the country’s architecture and culture have left an indelible mark on world history. Many of the sites of ancient civilizations remain important and popular tourist attractions today, and the Greek islands have attracted holiday-goers for thousands of years. Its mild climate makes it an attractive destination year-round. Despite recent economic instability and constant strikes from public employees and other outbreaks of social unrest, Greece remains a wealthy country with high living standards.

As residents of a wealthy developed country, Greeks enjoy a long average life expectancy; 78 years for males and 83 years for females. Greeks spend USD3,085 annually on health care per capita, which is slightly above the European average and makes up 10.6 percent of GDP. Much of this comes from the public sector, which provides universal basic care, but locally provided Greece health insurance is also increasingly an option for middle-class residents concerned about the future of public sector spending.

Greece Health Insurance and Health Care Indicators

Like most developed countries, Greece has managed to reduce the burden of communicable disease on morbidity and mortality. Just five percent of total years of life lost are attributed to communicable disease. However, the World Health Organisation did report a mild outbreak of Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2002. Public health infrastructure is very strong as clean drinking water and sanitation facilities are universally available. HIV infection rates are among the world’s lowest, with just one case per 1,000 adults. Tuberculosis is extremely rare with five cases per 100,000, or less than one-fortieth of the global average. Greeks suffer from diseases of affluence such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular problems associated with modern diets, sedentary lifestyles, alcohol abuse and smoking. Nearly two-thirds of Greek adult males smoke, which has a serious negative effect on health.

Greece boasts a well-staffed health care work force, with 60.4 physicians per 10,000 residents, or nearly twice the already high European average. There are 36.6 nurses and midwives per 10,000 residents, which is relatively low by European standards, but this number is more than sufficient and considerably higher than global norms. Most of these work in hospitals and clinics in the public sector, though an increasing number of private clinics are available; payment for these more expensive options can be out of pocket, or via local Greece health insurance. In addition to a comprehensive network of hospitals and clinics, Greece also hosts four Collaborating Centres for medical research with the World Health Organisation. These research centres focus on mental health, nutrition, non-communicable disease and hereditary diseases.

Greece Travel Advice and Medicine

Greece has much to offer the tourist, business traveller and expatriate, but some preparation is advised before making a trip. The US Centre for Disease Control has issued a series of guidelines to advise prospective travellers to Greece. The first order of business is to update all routine vaccinations, preferably at a clinic in your home country which specialises in travel medicine. Although it is rare, there have recently been a few isolated cases of malaria on the southern districts of Laconia and Evoia. Proper precautions including insect repellent, mosquito nets and possibly even anti-malaria pills are recommended. In Greece, some of the most common health problems from overseas visitors are much more mundane and usually involve gastrointestinal distress and road accidents. It is strongly recommended to drink only bottled water and avoid raw or undercooked food – over the counter anti-diarrhoeal pills are usually sufficient to treat acute cases. On the road, Greek traffic drives on the right and traffic in Athens is notoriously bad (striking workers are often a cause of traffic congestion). Never drive after drinking and follow the local rules of the road.

Greece’s health insurance options are limited for overseas visitors, but emergency care is provided free of charge to all, regardless of nationality. European Union nationals may use their EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) forms to indicate their eligibility for local health care. Basic care is provided free of charge in the public system to Greeks and eligible foreigners who are employed in Greece and qualify for the local IKA health insurance scheme. However, this requires employer support and contributions, and apparently some employers are reluctant to pay health insurance premiums for temporary workers from overseas. In the Greek public health care system, specialists may be consulted directly, without referral from a general practitioner, but waiting times can be very long.

Greece Expat Health Insurance

The Greek public health care system provides a very reasonable standard of basic health care, but waiting times can be very long for specialists, and bureaucracy and red tape can be a concern for foreign residents attempting to use the IKA local public health insurance system. To give yourself and your family peace of mind while visiting or relocating to Greece, expat health insurance plans are the best way to ensure you get the care you need with minimal hassle. However, with the wide range of plans on offer, choosing the plan which best suits the needs of your family, tour group or company can be daunting.

Fortunately, Global Health Insurance has a team of experienced advisors available around the clock to help select the best plan for you. The range of Greece expat health insurance options available from Global Health Insurance include coverage for alternative medicine, maternity, dental and even medical air evacuation. Contact Global Health Insurance today for more information.