Buy the wrong insurance in Greece and the mistake is rarely obvious until you need to make a claim, renew a residence permit or apply for an ENFIA (Greece’s annual property tax) reduction, by which point it can be expensive to fix. The right policy for you depends on who you are: a European Union (EU) citizen, a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA, which includes Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein), a Swiss citizen, a non-EU national, a UK national, an employee, a pensioner, a homeowner, a driver or someone living in Greece under a particular residence category. Some insurance is compulsory by law. Some is required only in specific circumstances. The rest is a genuine choice about how much financial protection you want.
That is why two foreign residents living in the same neighbourhood can have entirely different insurance needs.
This guide sets out the main types of insurance you are likely to encounter in Greece: EU versus non-EU rules, how public healthcare and private cover interact, car and home insurance, international medical plans, residence-permit requirements, travel cover and the questions worth asking before you sign anything.
Still working through the earlier stages of your move? Our complete guide to moving to Greece covers residence, tax, healthcare, housing and first-step bureaucracy.
Insurance in Greece: the short answer
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: healthcare rights may arise through employment in Greece, European social-security rules or a Portable Document S1, usually called the S1 form. Economically inactive residents and students can face comprehensive health-insurance requirements when establishing residence.
Non-EU nationals: health insurance can also form part of a visa or residence-permit application. The exact requirement depends on the residence category.
UK nationals: the position depends on individual circumstances, including employment in Greece, entitlement to an S1 and, for some residents, rights preserved under the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement.
Cars: third-party liability insurance is compulsory. Vehicles normally based in Greece must also comply with the forest-fire and flood insurance rules.
Homes: insurance is not universally compulsory for individual homeowners, although a mortgage lender may require it and qualifying cover can reduce a future ENFIA bill.
Travel: the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) can be useful during eligible temporary stays, but it does not replace travel insurance.
In this guide
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens versus non-EU nationals
The first distinction to make is your nationality and residence status because EU free-movement rules and Greece’s immigration system for third-country nationals are different.
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not follow the same residence-permit system as most non-EU nationals.
An EU citizen can normally remain in Greece for up to three months with a valid identity card or passport. For residence beyond three months, the conditions depend on why the person is living in Greece.
Someone employed or self-employed in Greece can register on the basis of that economic activity. By contrast, an economically inactive EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who plans to live in Greece for more than three months must have sufficient resources for themselves and their family and full health-insurance coverage. Students also need sufficient resources and comprehensive health cover under the EU residence framework.
For someone working and paying social-security contributions in Greece, the practical healthcare question is usually whether they have acquired insurance capacity through the Electronic National Social Security Fund (e-EFKA), Greece’s national social-security body. For some pensioners and other people whose healthcare remains the responsibility of another European state, an S1 may instead be the relevant route.
Non-EU nationals
Non-EU nationals need to consider healthcare entitlement and immigration requirements separately.
A non-EU national who works legally in Greece and meets the social-security conditions may acquire public healthcare entitlement through e-EFKA. However, some visa and residence-permit categories also require evidence of health insurance when an application or renewal is submitted.
The exact requirement depends on the residence category. A policy accepted for a friend, colleague or different immigration route should not automatically be assumed to work for yours.
What about British citizens?
British nationals should not simply be grouped with either EU citizens or other non-EU nationals.
UK nationals who work in Greece can access the Greek social-security system subject to the normal conditions. Some UK pensioners and other eligible residents can register a UK-issued S1 in Greece. British citizens protected by the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement may also retain particular social-security coordination rights.
Someone moving from the UK to Greece now should therefore check both their Greek residence status and their healthcare entitlement rather than relying on pre-Brexit arrangements.
What insurance is compulsory in Greece?
There is no compulsory product called “expat insurance”. Insurance obligations arise from your circumstances, what you own and, in some cases, your immigration status or business activity.
The clearest general obligation concerns motor vehicles. Third-party liability insurance is compulsory. Since 1 June 2025, vehicles normally based in Greece have also been subject to the applicable insurance requirement for forest fire and flood.
Private health insurance is not compulsory for every resident. It can, however, be required for an economically inactive EU resident’s registration or for certain non-EU residence routes. Someone who already has recognised public healthcare entitlement can be in a different position.
Home insurance is not generally compulsory for every individual homeowner. Mortgage conditions can change that, while Greece’s tax and natural-disaster rules increasingly make adequate property insurance relevant.
Health insurance in Greece
Health insurance is often the most confusing part of the system because several questions overlap.
First, do you already have public healthcare entitlement? Second, do you need insurance for a residence procedure? Third, do you want private cover in addition to the public system?
If you work in Greece and meet the relevant social-security conditions, you can acquire healthcare entitlement through e-EFKA.
In Greek administration, this entitlement is called insurance capacity, or asfalistiki ikanotita (ασφαλιστική ικανότητα). It is the right to access healthcare benefits through the public system and participating providers.
For the insurance period from 1 March 2026 to 28 February 2027, salaried workers generally need at least 50 days of insurance during 2025 or during the preceding 12 months.
For people newly entering non-salaried insurance, including self-employed workers and farmers, e-EFKA generally requires at least two months of insurance during the previous calendar year or the preceding 12 months, together with the applicable contribution requirements. Special rules also apply where non-salaried workers have outstanding contributions.
You can check your insurance capacity through the official gov.gr insurance-capacity service.
Having a Social Security Registration Number (AMKA) does not itself mean you currently have healthcare entitlement. AMKA identifies you within the Greek social-security system. Insurance capacity is the actual entitlement.
Public healthcare or private health insurance?
Residents entitled to Greek public healthcare can still buy private medical insurance. Some people use both systems.
Private insurance may provide access to private hospitals, a wider choice of doctors, shorter waits for some services, private rooms and other benefits. Exactly what you receive depends on the contract.
This makes the premium only one part of the comparison. Check hospitalisation limits, outpatient treatment, diagnostic tests, medicines, maternity provision where relevant, mental-health treatment, physiotherapy, pre-existing conditions, waiting periods, deductibles, co-payments, hospital networks and geographical restrictions.
Renewal terms matter particularly if you expect to keep the policy for many years. Ask how premiums change with age and how conditions diagnosed after the policy begins will be treated.
A useful question to ask: if you were admitted to hospital tonight, would the insurer settle the hospital bill directly, or would you have to pay first and seek reimbursement afterwards?
What is the S1 form?
Some people living in Greece remain insured for healthcare by another European country.
The Portable Document S1, usually called the S1 form, allows an eligible person to register for healthcare in the country where they live while another state’s competent institution remains responsible for the cost.
This can apply to some pensioners, frontier workers, posted workers and eligible dependants.
An S1 is not the same as an EHIC. The S1 concerns healthcare rights in the country where you live. The EHIC is mainly intended for medically necessary state healthcare during a temporary stay in another participating country.
Health insurance for non-EU residence permits
For third-country nationals, meaning people who are not EU citizens and do not fall under an equivalent European free-movement route, insurance can form part of a residence-permit application or renewal.
The requirement is not identical for every permit. Some applicants can rely on recognised social-security coverage, while other residence categories allow or require private insurance. For the wider immigration framework, see our Greece Visa and Residence Permit Guide for Expats.
If you are considering a specific route, our Digital Nomad Visa guide and Tech Visa and Talent Visa guide explain those schemes in more detail. The insurance evidence required should still be checked against the rules for the exact application you are making.
Where a third-country national uses private insurance under Joint Ministerial Decision 133692/2024, the policy must satisfy specified minimum benefits.
These include at least €15,000 a year for permanent total or partial disability resulting from an accident, at least €1,500 a year for medical and pharmaceutical expenses resulting from illness or accident, and at least €10,000 a year for comprehensive hospital care. The insured person’s contribution can be no more than 20% under this framework.
The decision also states that policies are not accepted where they contain exclusions or special additional agreements that conflict with the required cover.
A policy issued outside Greece can potentially qualify if it expressly states that it covers the applicant for the period they live in Greece and satisfies the statutory requirements. An ordinary holiday travel policy should therefore not be assumed to work for a residence application simply because it includes emergency healthcare.
Family members who need to demonstrate insurance must also be appropriately covered. Do not assume that a contract naming only the principal applicant automatically satisfies the requirement for every dependant.
Golden Visa insurance
Greece’s Golden Visa, a five-year renewable investor residence permit, has its own documentation requirements. The Ministry of Migration and Asylum lists appropriate private insurance among the documents required for the investor residence procedure and renewal.
A holder may later acquire healthcare rights through employment or another route, but that is separate from the insurance evidence required for the residence procedure itself.
If you are considering this route, see our Greece Golden Visa guide.
Buying insurance for immigration purposes? Identify the exact residence category before buying the policy. Then confirm that the wording and benefit limits meet the current requirements for that category.
Car insurance in Greece
Motor insurance is one of the clearest areas where Greek law imposes a direct obligation.
Third-party liability
Third-party motor liability insurance is compulsory. It covers liability for bodily injury and property damage caused to other people within the limits set by law.
It does not mean that damage to your own car is automatically covered. Theft, collision, glass damage, roadside assistance and similar benefits depend on the policy you choose.
Greece uses electronic checks to identify uninsured vehicles. Under the current enforcement framework, the fine is €500 for passenger cars and other ordinary vehicles, €250 for two-wheelers and €1,000 for buses and public-use trucks.
Forest fire and flood cover
Since 1 June 2025, vehicles normally based in Greece have also been subject to mandatory insurance against specified natural-disaster risks, including forest fire and flood, based on the vehicle’s current commercial value.
This obligation sits alongside third-party liability insurance rather than replacing it. The legislation contains limited exceptions, including state vehicles.
The consequence of failing to carry required natural-disaster cover is also different from the ordinary uninsured-vehicle fine. A vehicle that should have been insured can lose eligibility for state assistance following the relevant natural disaster.
Additional motor cover
Beyond the legally required protection, motorists can add own-damage or collision cover, theft, glass damage, malicious damage, roadside assistance, legal expenses and driver personal-accident cover.
Do not rely on descriptions such as “full” or “comprehensive” without reading the policy. Excesses, maximum payments and optional benefits can differ significantly between products.
What if you bring a foreign-registered car to Greece?
A foreign insurance policy may remain valid in Greece, but insurance is only one part of the question.
The temporary-import regime administered by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), Greece’s tax and customs authority, is primarily intended for people whose habitual residence is abroad and who come to Greece temporarily.
For this purpose, AADE defines habitual residence around where a person normally lives for at least 185 days a year because of personal and professional ties. Eligible people with habitual residence abroad can generally use a qualifying foreign-registered vehicle in Greece for up to six months, continuous or otherwise, within a 12-month period.
That six-month rule should not be interpreted as a general right for someone who has become habitually resident in Greece to continue driving foreign plates for half of every year.
Before an extended stay, ask the insurer whether Greece remains within the policy’s geographical area, how long the car may remain outside its country of registration and whether a change in your residence affects the contract.
Insurance validity and Greek customs or registration rules are separate issues. A valid foreign policy does not by itself determine whether the car can legally remain on foreign plates.
Our guide to foreign-registered cars in Greece explains the temporary-import rules and recent AADE guidance in more detail.
Home insurance in Greece
Home insurance deserves particular attention in Greece because residential property can be exposed to earthquakes, wildfires, floods, storms and water damage.
There is no general requirement for every individual homeowner to buy a standard home-insurance policy. A mortgage lender may, however, make insurance a condition of the loan.
A policy can cover the structure, the contents or both. Depending on the product, it may include earthquake, fire, flood, storm damage, burst pipes, theft, glass, electrical damage, liability and temporary accommodation following a serious insured event.
Never assume that a policy described simply as “home insurance” covers every risk. Natural-disaster cover, excesses and insured values need to be checked individually.
Home insurance and the ENFIA reduction
Home insurance can reduce ENFIA, but the timing is important.
For the 2026 ENFIA bill, the reduction was based on qualifying insurance that was in force during 2025. Insurance companies submitted qualifying policy data to AADE, while taxpayers had until 16 February 2026 to submit or correct their applications through myAADE, AADE’s online tax portal.
A policy purchased later in 2026 cannot retrospectively reduce the 2026 ENFIA assessment.
For 2026, a qualifying residence with a taxable value of up to €500,000 could receive a 20% reduction. A qualifying residence with a taxable value above €500,000 could receive a 10% reduction.
The residence must be insured against earthquake, fire and flood. The policy must also meet the required reconstruction-value test and come through an insurer operating within the applicable regulatory framework.
For the 2026 calculation, AADE used a reconstruction value of €900 per square metre. A 100-square-metre qualifying home therefore needed an insured reconstruction value of at least €90,000 for this particular tax test.
A full year of qualifying insurance gives the full applicable reduction. Shorter periods can receive a proportional reduction provided the qualifying cover lasted for at least three months.
Market value, taxable value and reconstruction value are different. A home that could sell for €500,000 does not necessarily have either an ENFIA taxable value or a rebuilding value of €500,000.
The €900-per-square-metre figure is a tax-rule threshold rather than a universal estimate of what your home would actually cost to rebuild. An insurer may use a higher reconstruction value depending on the building and the cover being offered.
If you arrange qualifying insurance during 2026, ask how it could affect the next applicable ENFIA assessment rather than expecting it to change the 2026 bill. For the wider tax picture, see our Greek Tax Guide for Expats 2026.
Homes above €500,000
Owners of residences with an ENFIA taxable value above €500,000 should pay particular attention to natural-disaster insurance. Government policy links insurance status to eligibility for specified forms of state compensation following natural disasters.
For a higher-value home, the insurance decision is therefore about more than an ENFIA reduction. Owners should consider how a major rebuilding cost would be financed following an earthquake, wildfire or flood and check the state-assistance rules in force at the time.
Building insurance and contents insurance are not the same
Buildings insurance protects the physical structure according to the terms of the policy. Contents insurance protects the possessions inside it.
If you own an apartment, insurance arranged by the building management may protect communal areas or specified parts of the building without covering your furniture, electronics, artwork, jewellery or other belongings.
If you are considering a purchase, our guide to buying property in Greece explains the wider legal, tax and practical issues foreign buyers should examine.
Do renters need insurance in Greece?
Tenants often assume insurance is entirely the landlord’s responsibility.
The landlord may insure the building, but that does not necessarily protect the tenant’s possessions. If a fire, flood, burst pipe or burglary damages your belongings, the building policy may provide little or no compensation to you.
A tenant can therefore consider contents insurance, theft cover, personal liability and temporary accommodation following a serious insured event.
Ask the landlord or managing agent what is already covered before buying your own insurance. That helps you identify gaps rather than paying twice for the same protection.
Travel insurance and the European Health Insurance Card
Eligible people insured through Greece can apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
The card provides access to medically necessary state healthcare during eligible temporary stays in participating European countries, under the conditions that apply in the country being visited.
It is not a substitute for travel insurance. The EHIC does not provide the broader protection commonly found in travel policies, such as cancellation, baggage protection or medical repatriation.
Eligible UK residents may instead hold a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), or in some circumstances a UK-issued EHIC, for temporary healthcare abroad. This is separate from the healthcare arrangements that apply to British nationals who actually live in Greece.
If you ski, sail, dive, hike at altitude or take part in activities that insurers may classify as higher risk, check whether they are included or require additional cover.
Insurance companies in Greece with information in English
Foreign residents can buy insurance directly from an insurer, through an insurance intermediary or through an online provider. Greece has traditional insurers with adviser networks as well as companies built around direct online sales.
The English-language pages below were checked in September 2026. Products, availability and website content can change, so confirm current terms directly with the provider. The companies are included as examples, not as recommendations or rankings.
Generali Greece
Generali Greece provides English-language information on private health, home and other insurance products. Its English pages are useful for reviewing the structure of its health and property products before requesting a quotation.
Interamerican
Interamerican provides English-language information on insurance and assistance services in Greece, including healthcare and motor-related products.
Hellas Direct
Hellas Direct is a digital insurer with English-language information on car insurance and home insurance, together with English help pages on claims and policy questions.
Before using an unfamiliar insurer: check the Bank of Greece Register of Insurance Undertakings. Insurers authorised elsewhere in the EU can also operate lawfully in Greece through a branch or under freedom-to-provide-services rules.
International health insurance for expats in Greece
A domestic Greek health policy is not the only private option. International private medical insurance (IPMI) is designed for people whose lives extend across more than one country.
Depending on the policy, international cover can include treatment in Greece, your country of nationality and other countries within the chosen geographical area. This can suit people who travel frequently, split their time between countries, expect another international move or want the option of major treatment outside Greece.
International policies are often more expensive than domestic plans, although a direct price comparison can be misleading because international policies may provide much broader geographical cover and higher overall benefit limits.
Cigna Global
Cigna Global has a dedicated international health-insurance page for people living in Greece. Its international plans can provide worldwide cover or worldwide cover excluding the United States, with different benefit levels and optional modules depending on the policy selected.
Cigna also offers its Close Care option, which focuses cover on the country of residence and the country of nationality rather than providing unrestricted worldwide protection.
Allianz Care
Allianz Care offers international health insurance for people living, working or studying abroad. Its long-term plans include inpatient and day-care cover, with other benefits available depending on the plan.
AXA Global Healthcare
AXA Global Healthcare has a Greece-specific international health-insurance page for expatriates and internationally mobile residents.
Bupa Global
Bupa Global offers international private medical cover for expatriates and internationally mobile individuals and families. Benefits depend on the selected plan, while pre-existing conditions are subject to underwriting and policy terms.
Greek or international health insurance?
A domestic Greek plan may make more sense for someone who intends to live permanently in Greece and expects to receive most treatment here. It may be designed around Greek private hospitals and local medical networks and can cost less than broad international protection.
An international plan may suit someone whose work, family or lifestyle spans several countries. It may also be useful for people who want the option of treatment outside Greece or expect another international relocation.
Worldwide cover that includes the United States is generally more expensive than cover excluding the US because of the cost of American healthcare. Deductibles, geographical limits and optional outpatient benefits can also materially change the price.
International cover and residence permits: a Cigna, Allianz Care, AXA, Bupa or other international policy does not automatically satisfy Greek immigration requirements. What matters is whether the specific contract meets the legal requirements for the residence category concerned.
Are very cheap insurance policies risky?
A low premium does not automatically mean poor insurance. Online insurers can have lower distribution costs, while insurers also price the same risk differently.
The useful question is not simply “Why is this cheap?” but “What am I giving up for the lower price?”
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Excess or deductible | A low premium may mean paying considerably more yourself when you claim. |
| Maximum benefits | Check the most the insurer will pay for each type of claim. |
| Natural disasters | Confirm exactly how earthquake, flood and wildfire are covered. |
| Roadside assistance | It may be optional rather than part of basic motor cover. |
| Theft and own damage | Compulsory car insurance does not automatically protect your own vehicle. |
| Hospital or repair network | A restricted network can affect where treatment or repairs are available. |
| Pre-existing conditions | Especially important for private and international medical insurance. |
| Waiting periods | Some health benefits do not begin immediately. |
| Renewal terms | Important if you expect to keep the policy for many years. |
| Claims procedure | Check whether providers are paid directly or whether you claim reimbursement later. |
| Regulatory status | Check unfamiliar providers with the relevant regulator. |
A cheaper contract can therefore be perfectly suitable. The mistake is comparing the premium without comparing the underlying cover.
What does insurance cost in Greece?
There is no useful single figure because premiums depend on the person, property or vehicle being insured and on the amount of cover selected.
Car pricing can depend on the driver, address, type and age of vehicle, insured value and additional benefits. Home insurance varies according to location, size, reconstruction cost, contents and risks covered.
Health insurance is more individual still. Age, medical history, deductible, outpatient benefits, hospital network, geographical area and underwriting can all change the quotation.
International medical insurance adds another major variable: geography. Worldwide cover can cost considerably more than Greece- or Europe-focused protection, especially where the United States is included.
For that reason, claims that “insurance in Greece costs €X” have limited value unless the quotation explains exactly who and what is being insured.
What about business insurance?
Greece’s natural-disaster insurance rules also apply to larger businesses.
Since 1 June 2025, businesses with annual gross revenue above €500,000 fall within the mandatory natural-disaster insurance framework for risks including forest fire, flood and earthquake.
The statutory framework generally requires insurance for at least 70% of the value of the relevant business assets. This can include owned buildings, equipment, raw materials, merchandise, production assets, commercial vehicles and stored products. Implementing rules address cases involving assets or risks that cannot be insured.
Failure to comply can result in an administrative fine of €10,000. If the business remains uninsured 30 days after notification, the fine can be doubled to €20,000. A business that should have carried the required insurance can also lose access to specified state disaster assistance for the relevant losses.
If you own or manage a business in Greece, personal home or liability insurance is not a substitute for commercial insurance. Property, liability and business-interruption cover may also be relevant depending on the activity.
Other insurance worth considering
Personal liability insurance can cover certain claims if you accidentally injure someone or damage another person’s property. Some home policies already include liability protection, so check before buying it separately.
Professional liability insurance may be relevant to consultants, business owners and regulated professionals. Whether it is compulsory or simply advisable depends on the profession.
Life insurance may be worth considering if a partner, children or other dependants rely on your income, particularly if you also have a mortgage or other major financial commitments.
Pet insurance is available in Greece, although age limits, veterinary benefits and exclusions vary. Boat owners should also check the insurance requirements applying to their vessel and how it is used.
How to choose an insurance company in Greece
Price is easy to compare. Coverage is harder.
The Bank of Greece supervises insurers authorised in Greece. Insurance companies authorised elsewhere in the EU can also operate in Greece through a branch or under freedom-to-provide-services rules.
Before buying from a provider you do not recognise, check its regulatory status and read the actual contract rather than relying only on a product summary or headline premium.
Ask what is covered, what is excluded, how much excess you will pay, what the maximum payment is, whether waiting periods apply, what geographical restrictions exist and whether the insurer settles directly with hospitals or repairers.
For health insurance, focus particularly on pre-existing conditions, hospital networks, waiting periods and renewal terms. For home insurance, check the reconstruction value and natural-disaster provisions. For cars, compare individual benefits rather than relying on labels such as “comprehensive”.
If the policy is in Greek
Do not sign a contract you do not understand.
Ask for English-language information where available or have the important clauses explained before signing. Pay particular attention to exclusions, deductibles, waiting periods, geographical limits, reporting deadlines, cancellation clauses and renewal provisions.
The most expensive insurance misunderstanding is often not what the contract covers. It is what the customer assumed it covered.
Making an insurance claim in Greece
Claims procedures differ between insurers, but preparation can make the process much easier.
Keep your policy number and emergency contact details accessible. Report an incident within the deadline stated in the contract. Take photographs and video where appropriate, and retain invoices, receipts, medical documents and repair estimates.
Obtain any police, fire-service or other official report requested by the insurer. Do not dispose of damaged property until you know whether an inspection is required, and avoid commissioning major non-emergency repairs before confirming the claims procedure.
For planned medical treatment, check whether pre-authorisation is required. With home insurance, retain evidence of ownership and value for expensive possessions. Following a road accident, follow the insurer’s reporting process even when the damage initially appears minor.
Common insurance mistakes expats make in Greece
| Mistake | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Treating all foreign residents the same | EU, EEA, Swiss, UK and non-EU residents can have different healthcare and residence rules. |
| Assuming AMKA means you are insured | AMKA is an identification number. Insurance capacity determines current healthcare entitlement. |
| Buying health cover before checking the residence category | A good medical policy may still fail to meet immigration requirements. |
| Using ordinary travel insurance for a residence application | A residence policy must meet the statutory requirements for the relevant permit. |
| Assuming an international policy automatically qualifies | Cigna, Allianz Care, AXA, Bupa or another international policy still needs to meet the Greek requirements. |
| Assuming basic motor insurance protects your own car | Compulsory third-party liability mainly protects other people. |
| Forgetting forest-fire and flood cover | The natural-disaster requirement is separate from ordinary third-party liability insurance. |
| Assuming the landlord insures your belongings | The building may be insured while the tenant’s possessions are not. |
| Underinsuring a home | Insufficient rebuilding cover can leave a substantial shortfall after a major loss. |
| Buying insurance now and expecting this year’s ENFIA to fall | The 2026 reduction depended on qualifying cover during 2025. |
| Treating an EHIC as travel insurance | An EHIC provides much narrower protection. |
| Choosing solely on price | Lower premiums can come with higher deductibles, lower limits or fewer benefits. |
| Ignoring renewal conditions | This can become particularly important with long-term health insurance. |
| Using an unfamiliar insurer without checking it | Its regulatory status should be verified before purchase. |
Which insurance do you need? A practical checklist
| If this describes you… | Start by checking… |
|---|---|
| I am an EU/EEA/Swiss employee in Greece | Your e-EFKA registration and insurance capacity. |
| I am an economically inactive EU/EEA/Swiss resident | Full healthcare cover and sufficient resources for residence registration. |
| I am an EU/EEA/Swiss pensioner | Whether the country responsible for your healthcare can issue an S1. |
| I am a non-EU employee | Your e-EFKA entitlement and the requirements of your residence category. |
| I am applying for a non-EU residence permit | The precise insurance documentation required for that permit before buying a policy. |
| I am applying for or renewing a Golden Visa | The insurance documentation required for the investor residence procedure. |
| I am a UK pensioner | Whether you qualify for a UK-issued S1 and how it should be registered in Greece. |
| I want private healthcare mainly in Greece | Compare domestic Greek plans and their hospital networks. |
| I live across several countries | Compare international private medical insurance with domestic cover. |
| I own a car normally based in Greece | Third-party liability and the applicable natural-disaster insurance requirements. |
| I brought a foreign car | Your insurer’s territorial rules plus Greek temporary-import and habitual-residence rules. |
| I own a home | Earthquake, fire and flood protection, reconstruction value and the next ENFIA cycle. |
| I rent | What the landlord’s insurance covers and whether you need contents or liability protection. |
| I travel frequently | EHIC or GHIC eligibility and separate travel insurance. |
| I run a business with annual gross revenue above €500,000 | The mandatory natural-disaster insurance rules and the value of assets that need to be insured. |
Frequently asked questions
Do EU citizens need private health insurance to live in Greece?
Not necessarily. EU citizens working or self-employed in Greece have a different residence route from economically inactive residents. An economically inactive EU, EEA or Swiss citizen staying for more than three months must demonstrate sufficient resources and full health-insurance coverage. An eligible worker may instead acquire healthcare entitlement through Greek social security.
Do non-EU residents need private health insurance?
It depends on the residence category and whether the applicant has another recognised basis of healthcare coverage. Some third-country nationals can rely on Greek social security, while other residence categories require private insurance.
Does having an AMKA mean I am insured?
No. AMKA is Greece’s social-security identification number. Insurance capacity determines current healthcare entitlement through e-EFKA.
Can I use Cigna, Allianz Care, AXA or Bupa for a Greek residence permit?
Potentially, but acceptance depends on the specific policy rather than the insurer’s name. The contract must meet the insurance requirements applying to the particular residence category and expressly cover the applicant while living in Greece.
Is international medical insurance the same as travel insurance?
No. International private medical insurance is designed for people living abroad and can provide ongoing medical, hospital and specialist care. Travel insurance is mainly designed around temporary trips and travel-related risks.
Do Golden Visa applicants need health insurance?
The Ministry of Migration and Asylum lists appropriate private insurance documentation for the investor residence procedure and renewal. Applicants should check the current documents and policy requirements before purchasing cover.
Is car insurance compulsory in Greece?
Yes. Third-party liability insurance is compulsory. Vehicles normally based in Greece are also subject to the applicable forest-fire and flood insurance rules introduced from 1 June 2025.
Is home insurance compulsory?
Not generally for every individual homeowner. A mortgage lender may require insurance, while natural-disaster cover can affect ENFIA and eligibility for certain forms of state disaster assistance.
Can insurance bought now reduce my 2026 ENFIA?
No. The 2026 reduction depended on qualifying insurance held during 2025, and the application or correction deadline was 16 February 2026.
Does an EHIC replace travel insurance?
No. It provides access to medically necessary state healthcare during eligible temporary stays but does not provide the broader protection of travel insurance.
The bottom line
The simplest way to approach insurance in Greece is to establish your legal and healthcare position before shopping for a policy.
Start with nationality and residence status. An EU employee, an economically inactive EU retiree, a Golden Visa holder and a British pensioner can all need different evidence of healthcare cover.
Next, establish what protection you already have through e-EFKA, an S1, another country’s system, an employer, a landlord or an existing insurance contract.
Then identify any compulsory insurance connected with what you own or operate, particularly vehicles and, where relevant, businesses.
Only after that should you compare private policies for the risks that remain.
If most of your life and healthcare will remain in Greece, a domestic policy may provide the cover you need. If your life spans several countries, international medical insurance may deserve closer consideration. Neither route is automatically better. The right contract is the one that matches the way you actually live and the legal requirements that apply to you.
A cheap policy is not automatically poor insurance, and an expensive policy is not automatically comprehensive. What matters is what the contract covers, what it excludes and what happens when you actually need to claim.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal, immigration, tax, financial or insurance advice. Rules, administrative procedures and individual policy terms can change. Check the current requirements applying to your own circumstances before purchasing insurance.
Sources
National Registry of Administrative Public Services: residence and health-insurance requirements for financially inactive EU, EEA and Swiss citizens.
e-EFKA: insurance-capacity conditions for the 2026–2027 insurance period.
Joint Ministerial Decision 133692/2024: private health-insurance requirements for third-country nationals using private insurance for residence-permit applications or renewals.
Ministry of Migration and Asylum: Golden Visa documentation and insurance requirements.
AADE: 2026 ENFIA reduction for insured residences, including the €900 per square metre reconstruction-value test and application timetable.
AADE: temporary importation and use of foreign-registered vehicles in Greece.
Ministry of National Economy and Finance: checks and penalties for uninsured vehicles.
Hellenic Parliament: mandatory natural-disaster insurance for businesses, including the €500,000 revenue threshold, 70% asset-value requirement and non-compliance penalties.
Bank of Greece: register and regulatory status of insurance companies operating in Greece.
UK Government: healthcare arrangements for UK nationals living in Greece.
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