Private Healthcare in Athens 2026: Hospitals and Insurance

Newcomers to Athens who want private care usually go to hospitals such as Hygeia, Athens Medical Center, Metropolitan (in the Piraeus area) and IASO, and they usually pay through private insurance, because the public insurance (EFKA) does not cover private hospitals. The sources we read are mostly insurance brokers and expat sites, so treat their lists as a starting point. We found no reliable premium figures for expats and nothing we could verify on individual hospital prices.

What the sources agree on

• Private insurance is optional in Greece, but a non-resident, or anyone who wants private facilities, should consider it. Non-EU residents may need private cover to access care.
• Private hospitals typically accept international health insurance. Check with the insurer which hospitals are in its network and whether it pays the hospital directly.
• Private care costs more and waits are shorter, according to expat accounts. One travel-insurance site estimates that a private hospital stay can exceed $1,000 a night for visitors.
• Price factors are age, pre-existing conditions, coverage level, deductible, nationality, country of residence and coverage area.

If you apply for the Golden Visa

Each applicant needs a private health policy for the permit: see health insurance and healthcare for holders. Our calculator prices the permit policy by age band for planning, about €88 up to 19 years and €165 for 66 to 70; those are not premiums for a full international policy with hospital cover, which costs more and varies by insurer.

What to ask an insurer

1. Which Athens hospitals are in the network, and is billing direct?
2. Does the policy cover pre-existing conditions, and after what waiting period?
3. What is the annual limit, the deductible and the co-payment?
4. Is evacuation to another country covered?
5. How does the price change with age at renewal?

What we could not verify

• Premium ranges for expats in Athens: get quotes from insurers.
• Prices at individual hospitals and the quality of any one of them: ask each hospital and your doctor.
• Whether a given policy satisfies the residence permit: confirm with your lawyer.

Around the medicine

Healthcare is one factor in choosing a district and a school: see cost of living in Greece, international schools in Athens and the Athens districts guide.

Sources: Pacific Prime hospital guide for Greece; Expat Exchange; AXA Global Healthcare Greece page; consultancy guides as described. Pacific Prime is an insurance broker. Informational, not medical or insurance advice.