Janice F. Says:
I love your recent coverage of Greece. I like the idea of retiring there. But as I get older, healthcare is more and more of a concern. What is healthcare like there?
IL Executive Editor Jennifer Stevens Says:
Hi Janice,
Greece is a country that’s always been on our radar. But with recent developments regarding its economy, golden visa situation, and other factors, it’s a destination that’s rising in our estimation.
The quality of medical care in Greece is generally excellent, especially in major centers like Athens and Thessaloniki. In more remote parts of the country, you may find the level of English spoken by your doctor and the standard of care a bit more hit-or-miss.
Emergency health care in Greece is free regardless of nationality. For non-emergencies, most expats opt for some form of private health insurance, which provides better quality care and shorter waiting times than the Greek public system provides.
Pharmacies are abundant throughout the country—Greece has more pharmacists per capita than any other nation in Europe.
We have a detailed breakdown of healthcare in Greece, from an expat with personal experience, on our website here.
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