Medical Treatment in Crete & Greece

If you are covered by IKA National Insurance in Greece (either with the
reciprocal arrangements such as the European Health Card or E121 form, or
by working and contributing in Greece) or another Greek National Insurance
scheme, you will have access to free medical care and hospital care with
doctors and specialists working in the public health system.

If you have private health insurance you can receive treatment and tests with
private doctors and health centres (clinics), depending on your policy.

Doctors and Dentists
There are many GP’s and specialists in Crete who work through IKA, other
social insurance institutions and privately.

IKA Doctors
Once in possession of an IKA health book or an EHIC card (see National
Insurance / IKA) you can make an appointment for any specialist doctor under
the IKA scheme by phoning 184 the national appointments phone line (if you
are a non Greek speaker you may have difficulties - try and have a translator
handy!).
You will not be required to pay for treatment. Prescriptions given under the
IKA scheme may be taken to any chemist where you will be charged just 25%
of the full cost.

Private Doctors
To see a doctor or specialist privately you normally do not need to make an
appointment; go along to any doctor’s private surgery during surgery hours,
wait in turn, and pay for a private consultation. Their rates are usually
between 30 and 50 Euros per visit.

See Doctors and Dentists page for a list of doctors and specialists in Crete.

Hospital
For any emergency go to the Accident and Emergency Department
“ΕΠΕΙΓΟΝΤΑ” at your nearest hospital. Emergency treatment in the hospitals
is usually good, you rarely have to wait too long to be seen and doctors
usually speak some English. You should show your health card, IKA book or
private health insurance. You will be required to pay a small cost for some
tests, such as x-rays (about 3 to 5 Euros each). If you don’t qualify for IKA,
another social insurance or have private health insurance you will be required
to pay full costs for any tests.

A number of doctors and specialists hold morning surgeries at the hospitals to
which they are attached. Consultations are free to those with IKA or another
national insurance. Contact the hospital to book an appointment direct

Private Medical Insurance & Private Medical Clinics
You may wish to opt for private health insurance for better treatment; the lack
of nursing care in Greek state hospitals is renowned (family and friends often
spend 24 hours a day at patients bedsides nursing them) and wards are
usually packed (mostly with numerous visitors at all hours) and can be very
noisy.
There are a number of private clinics which boast all the latest equipment,
good doctors and nursing care plus private rooms with TV and phone. The
private clinics are very expensive so unless you have private health insurance
the cost is prohibitive for most.
There are many insurance companies in Greece offering a wide choice of
private medical policies. Shop around and check what is and isn't included in
various policies, then decide what cover and budget suits your needs.

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Medical Treatment in Crete & Greece

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This excerpt is based on the book
"Living in Crete. A Guide to Living, working, Retiring & Buying
Property in Crete"
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