Access to healthcare services for refugees and asylum seekers in Greece:
Every refugee and asylum seeker in Greece has the right to free access to primary, secondary and tertiary health care.
In case of an emergency
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, and require immediate and urgent medical attention, you can access medical services at the Emergency Department of a hospital. To find out which hospital has an emergency department on duty and on which days, is provided here by the Ministry of Health. Please note that the information in this link is only in Greek.
In case of MEDICAL EMERGENCY, you can call 166
Issuance of PAAYPA for asylum-seekers
When your asylum application will be fully registered you will be issued with an asylum-seeker’s card. The temporary number for the insurance and healthcare for aliens (PAAYPA) will be printed on it.
Issuance of AMKA for recognized refugees
If you are granted with refugee or subsidiary protection status, your PAYPAA will be deactivated one month after you receive your residence permit.
You will need to issue a Social Security Number (AMKA) in order to have full access to healthcare.
In order to be issued with an active AMKA you need to book an appointment with an EFKA office (https://www.efka.gov.gr/el/phone/book/66). You need to present to EFKA the following documents:
- Valid residence permit
- Tax registration number
- Formal proof of residence
- Recruitment statement by the employer.
More details about the AMKA can be found here. Note that the information in the link is in Greek.
If you face difficulties, you may request assistance from an NGO in your location.
To book an appointment at a hospital
There are several ways to book an appointment at a hospital in Greece.
If you have an AMKA (National Insurance Number) or PAAYPA:
- Call the national line 1535 and follow the instructions (Greek-English)
- If there is a specific hospital that you would like to attend, you may book an appointment by calling the hospital directly
- You can use also the medical services of the Primary Healthcare Medical Units To book an appointment with these Medical Units use the national line 14900 and follow the instructions. If you have AMKA and taxisnet code you can also book an appointment on-line.
- There is also another medical facility called TOMY, where you can receive medical services, especially Primary Health care. In order to receive medical services from TOMY, you should register to the one available in your city or neighbourhood, if any.
If you do not have an AMKA (National Insurance Number)/PAAYPA:
- If you reside in a state reception facility, contact the medical or psychosocial unit operating in the site for further assistance.
- If you live in an apartment, contact an NGO from the list below.
In Greece, arranging an appointment at a public facility (hospitals or medical centres) will usually take between a few weeks to few months, depending on the medical specialty or the medical examination that is required.
Hospitals in Greece:
The Ministry of Health approved list of all hospitals in Greece is here. NOTE this information is in English.
Municipality Medical Centres:
Many municipalities have Medical Centres where all refugees and asylum seekers (with or without an AMKA or PAAYPA) can access the medical services offered from the specific center. To have the information needed they should call or visit the municipality in your area.
NGOs-operated medical centers:
Many NGOs operate medical centres and polyclinics that offer various medical services to asylum seekers and refugees in Greece. To find out more information about the available clinics including the address, and the medical services available, and to book an appointment, you can call:
PRAKSIS: 210-8213704
Doctors of the World: 210-3213150
Medecins Sans Frontieres: 210-5200500
Hellenic Red Cross: 210-3613848
Solidarity Now: 210-6772500
Vaccinations
If you have an active AMKA/PAAYPA, you can access vaccinations at public hospitals and public medical centers.
Vaccinations can be accessed at Mother-Child centers. Contact details for these centers (address, telephone) can be found in Greek here.
Doctors of the World (MDM) and the Hellenic Red Cross are both certified NGOs providing vaccination services at their polyclinics. For more information, you can call:
Doctors of the World: 210-3213150
Hellenic Red Cross: 210-3613848
Provision of medicines
In order to access required medicines for free or with a small fee, you must have a prescription from a doctor, a hospital or medical centre. If you have an active AMKA/PAAYPA and you have an electronic prescription, you can get your medicines from any pharmacy.
If you do not have an active AMKA, but you have a prescription from a doctor at a public hospital or medical centre, even if it is hand written, you can get your medicines for free from the pharmacy at the hospital where the doctor provided the prescription.
HIV treatment and advice
The National Public Health Organization (EODY) operates a phone line through which you may access medical information, such as where to be tested, which Hospitals can provide PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) and other information.
For information related to HIV in Greek and English, you can call: 210 72 22 222
Furthermore, EODY provides a Council Center for HIV/AIDS where they receive only through appointments. To book an appointment you can call: 210 72 39 945
Poisoning
The Poisoning Control Center in Greece has a phone line for information and advice, active 24/7.
For advice about poisoning you can call: 210 7793777
NOTE that this service is only provided in Greek.
Other useful resources
A lexicon of key phrases and medical terms in English, French, Arabic, Farsi, and Urdu is available here.
Last update: 27/06/2025