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Greece has a funny way of working with odd operating hours, but a healthcare system that tries to ensure you always have access to help. Whether you are looking for a pharmacy at midnight, or in search of a doctor on a small island, we highlight important information and contacts for emergencies and the unexpected when in Greece.
HEALTHCARE
While the economic crisis left public healthcare in a less-than-desirable state, Greece’s healthcare is still rated well. Increasingly a hub for medical tourism, the per capita availability of physicians is higher than the EU15 average (+67%)*. There is a doctor on every island in Greece, and small government healthcare centers or hospitals on larger islands.
With public services being close to free, they tend to be plagued by overcrowding woes and in need of facilities upgrades. At the same time, doctors in the public sector are highly experienced in specialised and critical cases.
For out-patient visits, we tended to choose private options being faster, smoother, and for access to newer and better facilities . Available at comparatively reasonable cost, our average trips to a private doctor ranged from €30 to €50. Private care is not, however, always available on smaller islands.
– – – MINOR AILMENTS – – –
For minor maladies, you can visit a pharmacist for help with appropriate medication. They should also be able to direct you to a local doctor or health center where required. Most doctors and pharmacy staff speak English.
To find a pharmacy, look for the lighted green cross, easily spotted in their abundance throughout village and city centers. While opening hours are odd and vary (e.g. pharmacists on a small islands keep different hours from those in downtown Athens), they generally close for an afternoon siesta (on Wednesdays they might not open after the siesta) between 2pm to 5pm, and close all day on Sundays.
There is always one pharmacy in the area providing 24–hour services, and on Sundays or public holidays. Locate this by heading to the pharmacy closest to you – there should be a notice posted on the door showing which pharmacy is on duty. The notice is usually in Greek, so enlist local help or use Google Translate App’s visual translation ability. You can also try Vrisko’s search or call 1434.
– – – EMERGENCIES – – –
Emergency public healthcare is generally free in Greece, even for tourists, to the bewilderment of most foreigners. Go to the emergency department of a hospital or call the National Center for Emergency Care (EKAV) ambulance: 166.
For a private ambulance in Athens, Thessaloniki and central Greece, you can contact SOS Iatroi.
If you are on a small island with no hospital facilities and are in need of critical assistance, you will be transferred by an EKAV helicopter or ferry to a major city with a public hospital. Private air ambulance alternatives include Gamma Air Medical and Athens Medevac .
SUMMARY OF CONTACTS
General Emergency Line for Greece and the EU: 112 (in Greek, English, French) for the Hellenic Army, Greek Police (ELAS), the Coast Guard, and the national ambulance service EKAV.
- National Center for Emergency Care (EKAV) ambulance: 166
- National Public Health Organisation (e.g. to report Covid-19 symptoms): 1135
- Poison Control: 210 779 3777
- Police Hotline: 100
- Tourist Police: 171 (in English, French and German)
- Roadside Assistance (ELPA) for car problems: 10400
- Fire: 199
- Coast Guard: 107
- Telephone Directory Inquiries: 11888
