IKA National Insurance

Reciprocal IKA Insurance for Health Care for EU Citizens

Electronic Health Cards

The new electronic European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) has replaced form
E111 for health insurance abroad for visitors and travellers within the EU. You
can apply for a card online at www.ehic.org.uk or at your local post office in
the UK.
When you need to see a doctor or dentist in Greece just go along to your local
IKA office (The Social Insurance Foundation) with your EHIC card to make an
appointment. You can see an IKA registered GP or specialist free of charge,
and IKA prescriptions may be issued by them.
Officially the health card is only valid for short term visitors and travellers who
are normally resident in another EU country.

Pensioners

Pensioners who intend to take up residence in Greece and who are entitled to
free medical treatment in the United Kingdom or other EU country, also enjoy
a similar entitlement in Greece. They should produce to their local IKA office
form E121, which is issued by their local Department of Health Office in the
United Kingdom, along with the required documents listed below, and they will
be issued with an IKA health book.

Unemployed

A person coming to look for work in Greece, who was unemployed in the UK or
other EU country, is entitled to free medical treatment in Greece if he/she
produces to their local IKA office form E119. This is also issued by their local
Department of Health Office in the O.K. In both the above cases IKA will
exchange the form for a medical booklet. You will also need to take along the
documents listed below.
Details on Umemployment Benefit for those who have worked and paid IKA
contributions in Greece here

Others..

Those moving permanently to live or work in Crete, who do not fit into any of
the above categories, can transfer from the UK health system to the Greek
system (e.g. for E106) BUT you usually have to pay into a state sickness
insurance fund or a private health care scheme to be covered for health care
in most other EEA countries. In Greece this means that when you transfer you
will only be covered for the first year in Greece.

Documents required for IKA book under the reciprocal agreement (for
form E121, E106 and E119)

form E121 or E106 or E119
photocopy of passport
tax number for E121 and 119

Check at your local IKA office on arrival in Greece for updates.

Working And Paying National Insurance Contributions

Employees

If you are employed in Greece your employer should be making National
Insurance contributions for you, usually IKA, although there are others such
as 'TAXI' for hotel employees - the information here is with regards to IKA as
this is the most common.

IKA contributions are expensive (around 30% of your salary) and until fairly
recently many employers have tended to exploit workers by not paying their
National Insurance. However the authorities are keen to stamp out this
practice and the majority of employers nowadays go by the book as they are
not prepared to risk hefty fines.

Contributions should be made monthly by an employer. If you are employed
full time you will have around 25 days 'stamps' (contributions, days work) per
month. IKA send statements (via your employer, for you) with your number of
days IKA paid per 3 month period.

A minimum of 50 days IKA payments are required to apply for an IKA health
book, which entitles you to free medical care and reduced price prescriptions.

Once you have acquired 50 days 'stamps' you can obtain your IKA health book
immediately by taking along your statements from IKA showing your
contributions (or a validation from your employer's accountant) together with
2 photos and your passport to the IKA office and one should be issued to you
on the spot. The health book is valid for one year and must be renewed
yearly. You must have a minimum of 50 days IKA contributions in every year
to renew the health book for the following year.

Private Medical Insurance & Short Term Insurance

If you do not fit into any of the categories above, or if you are a non EU citizen
and not covered by the reciprocal agreement, you should take out private
medical insurance for health cover in Greece.
Seasonal workers and others may wish to opt for extra cover such as medical
transportation home in the event of an illness or accident, or treatment in
private medical centres in Crete. There are policies available for short term
medical insurance, as well as yearly policies, with various companies.

Doctors Appointments

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.

See also Medical Treatment and Doctors & Dentists
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