Health Care: call the number 166

The Greek Health Care System can be characterised as a mixed health system: the health care branches of the various social insurance funds co-exist with the National Health System of Greece (ESY).

The new ESY Health Care System was established in 1983 and guarantees free health care for both all residents of Greece and are also provided to EU and non-EU citizens on the basis of multilateral or bilateral agreements.

Furthermore, within the Health System of Greece context, primary health care services are provided through rural health centres and provincial surgeries in rural areas, the outpatient departments of regional and district hospitals, the polyclinics of the social insurance institutions and specialist in urban areas. Secondary care is provided by public hospitals, private for-profit hospitals and clinics or hospitals owned by social insurance funds.

For any emergency you can call the national first aid service (EKAV) at the free toll number 166, from any public or private phone.