Sickness insurance card (GR)

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What is the European Health Insurance Card?

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A free card that gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the 27 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, under the same conditions and at the same cost (free in some countries) as people insured in that country.

Cards are issued by your national health insurance provider.

Important โ€“ the European Health Insurance Card:

  • is not an alternative to travel insurance. It does not cover any private healthcare or costs such as a return flight to your home country or lost/stolen property,
  • does not cover your costs if you are travelling for the express purpose of obtaining medical treatment,
  • does not guarantee free services. As each countryโ€™s healthcare system is different services that cost nothing at home might not be free in another country.

Please note: when you move your habitual residence to another country, you should register with the S1 form instead of using the EHIC to receive medical care in your new country of habitual residence.

https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559&langId=en

Applying for a card

How do you obtain a card?

You obtain a card by contacting the health insurance institution where you are insured and which is therefore responsible for assuming your healthcare costs.

Who can benefit from the card?

To be eligible for a card, you must be insured by or covered by a state social security system in any Member State of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland or the United Kingdom. Each separate member of a family travelling should have their own card.

People from non-EU countries who are legally residing in the EU and are covered by a state social security scheme are also eligible for a card. However, nationals from non-EU countries cannot use their EHIC for medical treatment in Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

How long is the card valid for?

This varies from one country to another and is best to check when you contact your local health authority to obtain the card.

What action can you take if your local authority refuses to give you a European Health Insurance Card?

If you ask for the European Health Insurance Card, your local authority is obliged to provide you with one or, failing that, with a provisional replacement certificate if the card is not immediately available. If they do not, you should be able to appeal.

If you are unsure about your rights or need information on how to ensure that your right to an EHIC is respected by your national authorities, you can contact Your Europe Advice.

What action can you take if your EHIC is not recognized abroad?

If your EHIC is not recognised by the authorities of any EU country โ€“ or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom โ€“ you can request your home insurer to contact the doctor or hospital abroad.

https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=563&langId=en

Emergency: Call 166

Contact

National Organisation for Healthcare Services Provision (EOPYY) (in Greek)

Tel. +30 210 8110 903 / +30 210 8110 904 / +30 210 8110 905 / you can dial the phone number up to +30 210 8110 931

Email: [email protected]

Enquiries about health benefits in the EU:

Tel. +30 210 8110 916 / +30 210 8110 918 / +30 210 8110 541 / +30 210 8110 919 / +30 210 8110 925

https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1021&langId=en&intPageId=1739

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