Travel to Greece

Greece, for beautiful beaches, watersports, stag and hen parties abroad.

However, hop on a motorcycle or scooter without a helmet, break a leg, get badly sun burnt, or have a medical emergency and paradice may seem a long and expensive way from home.

When you pick a cheap travel ticket to Greece - make sure you have some cheap travel insurance too.

If you plan to visit for long bank holidays and in summmer or winter the Multi-trip or annual travel insurance could save you a small fortune.

Medical and Health

Where to Get Information

The Social Insurance Institute (known as IKA), 8 Aghiou Constantinou Street, Athens; or its regional or local offices or branches.

People seeking treatment through IKA can face long waits in its offices, hospitals and surgeries.

Wards can be crowded and may not provide all the services usual in other EEA countries. If you're charged for any services provided through IKA, make sure you secure a receipt with a number perforated across it.

Doctors, Dentists & Prescriptions

Take your E111 and passport to the local IKA office, where you'll be given a 'health services book' and directed to an IKA clinic or a doctor or dentist in the IKA scheme.

Consultations and treatment are free.

But you'll have to pay part of the cost of secondary examinations, such as X-rays. You'll also have to pay for supplementary treatment like physiotherapy, and for dentures.

For prescribed medicines, hand the prescription and the 'health services book' to any chemist in the IKA scheme - IKA offices will provide a list.

You'll have to pay a small standard charge, plus 25% of the actual cost of the medicine, which is non-refundable.

If you're charged in full, get a receipt and ask for the prescription back.

Keep the self adhesive labels from the medicines and stick these on to the doctor's prescription - you won't get a refund without them.

Hospital Treatment

Following a (IKA) doctor's diagnosis you must ask for a 'ticket' which is your approval of admittance to a hospital within the IKA scheme.

If you go into hospital before getting the 'ticket', show the administration your E111 and ask them to contact the IKA.

If you get medicines or any kind of treatment privately, you must pay the full cost.

Go to the IKA within one month with the receipts, the 'health services book' and your E111 and they'll reimburse you up to the limit allowed for similar treatment by the IKA.

If you're staying in a remote part of the country or on a small island, there may be no IKA office or facilities within easy reach, then.

You'll have to pay the full cost of private treatment and apply for a refund on return to the UK.

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