For most trips, travel insurance is your choice, not an obligation. But your EHIC only gives necessary public healthcare in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the UK: no private clinics, no repatriation, no refunds for cancelled trips, and nothing elsewhere. Some countries require insurance to enter, such as Georgia since 1 January 2026, and most relatives who need a Schengen visa must have at least €30,000 of cover.
- Your EHIC: Issued by e-EFKA at no cost if your insurance is active; valid for one year
- Where it works: Public healthcare in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the UK
- What the EHIC does not pay: Private care, repatriation, rescue, cancellations, lost or stolen belongings
- Georgia, since 1 January 2026: Health and accident cover of at least 30,000 GEL for the whole stay
- Schengen visa for most visiting relatives: Travel medical insurance of at least €30,000, valid in the whole Schengen area
- Driving to Albania, North Macedonia or Turkey: A Green Card from your car insurer is compulsory (AADE)
Facts checked: 14 October 2026 · Sources
If you live in Greece, Greek or not, the card for trips abroad is the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). e-EFKA, the national social insurance fund, issues it to people whose insurance is active. It is useful, and it costs nothing, but it is narrow: it gives you medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the UK, on the same terms as local people. It does not pay for a private clinic, a medical flight back to Greece, a cancelled holiday or a stolen suitcase, and outside those countries it does nothing at all.
This guide is for people who live in Greece and travel, and for those whose family comes to visit. It explains what the EHIC does and does not do, what a travel policy adds, which countries ask for insurance at the border, the €30,000 rule for relatives who need a Schengen visa, and the Green Card if you drive abroad in your Greek car. Each legal point names its official source. For healthcare in Greece itself, see our guide to health insurance in Greece.
Do you need travel insurance if you live in Greece?
For most trips, travel insurance is your choice, not an obligation. Whether you need it depends on where you are going, what your EHIC covers there, and how large a bill you could pay yourself.
- Within the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the UK: your EHIC gives you public healthcare on local terms and at local cost. A travel policy pays, depending on its terms, for what the card leaves out: private treatment, medical repatriation, rescue, cancellation and luggage.
- Everywhere else, for example in Turkey, the United States or Asia, the EHIC does not apply. A travel policy is then the main protection you can arrange against medical bills.
- Some destinations require it. A few countries ask for proof of insurance at the border, and Schengen visa applicants must have it. See countries that require travel insurance below.
- Your status matters. Only people with active insurance status with e-EFKA, and their protected family members, can get an EHIC. If you live in Greece on a private policy, for example with a Golden Visa or as a financially independent person, check whether that policy covers you abroad and for how long: the permit rules ask for cover while you live in Greece, not for trips.
- A policy from your previous country may not follow you. Some travel policies cover only residents of the country where they are sold, so check the residence condition once you live in Greece.
Ask yourself who would pay if you needed an operation in a private hospital abroad and a medical flight back to Greece. If the honest answer is that you would, travel insurance is worth a look.
Your EHIC from Greece: who gets it and what it does not cover
The EHIC is a free card that gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the 27 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland or the United Kingdom. You are treated under the same conditions and at the same cost as people insured in that country, which is free in some countries and not in others (European Commission).
Who gets one, and how
- Who: people with active insurance status (ασφαλιστική ικανότητα) with e-EFKA, for themselves and their protected family members. Without active insurance with e-EFKA, for example if you live in Greece only on a private policy, you do not qualify.
- How: online through gov.gr with your Taxisnet codes, where you can print a temporary card straight away; by video call (myEFKAlive or myKEPlive); or in person at an e-EFKA office or a KEP (citizen service centre). You need to know your AMKA, the Greek social security number.
- Cost and validity: the card costs nothing and is valid for one year. The national register of administrative procedures estimates 10 days for it to be issued. Check the expiry date before every trip.
What the EHIC does not cover
| Situation abroad | EHIC | Travel insurance, depending on the policy |
|---|---|---|
| Necessary treatment in a public hospital in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland or the UK | Yes, on local terms and at local cost | Yes, up to the policy limit |
| Treatment in a private clinic | No | Yes, up to the policy limit |
| Medical repatriation to Greece | No | Yes, if included |
| Search and rescue, for example on a ski slope | No | Only if the policy includes it; check activities such as skiing |
| Treatment in other countries, for example Turkey or the United States | No | Yes, if the policy covers that destination |
| A cancelled or cut-short trip, lost or stolen luggage | No | Yes, if included |
Nor does the EHIC pay if you travel in order to receive treatment (European Commission).
Nationals of non-EU countries cannot use their EHIC in Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, unless they are refugees living in an EU country or are covered as family members of an EU citizen (Your Europe). For a trip to those countries, plan on travel insurance instead.
If you move abroad for good, the EHIC is not the right document: you register in your new country with an S1 form instead (mitos.gov.gr).
Annual or single-trip: what a travel policy covers
Two covers matter most in a travel policy: medical expenses abroad and medical repatriation. The rest depends on the policy you choose. Limits, excesses and exclusions differ between insurers and products, so read the summary of each proposal, not only its price.
| Cover | What it usually pays |
|---|---|
| Medical expenses | Emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgery and medicines abroad, up to the policy limit |
| Medical repatriation | Bringing you back to Greece when it is medically necessary, by air ambulance if needed |
| Cancellation and curtailment | Costs you cannot get back if you must cancel or cut short the trip for a reason the policy lists, such as illness |
| Luggage and documents | Loss, theft or delay of luggage, usually with a limit per item |
| Travel delay | Extra costs when a flight is delayed or missed, as the policy defines it |
| Personal liability | Damage or injury you cause to someone else while travelling |
| Personal accident | A lump sum for death or permanent disability caused by an accident |
| Assistance line | A phone line that helps you find a hospital and organise repatriation |
Single-trip or annual?
- Single-trip policy: covers one journey, from departure to return. It suits a long trip, an unusual destination or a one-off holiday.
- Annual multi-trip policy: covers every trip within a year, but each insurer limits the length of each trip and the destinations included, and sets its own age limits. It tends to make sense if you travel several times a year, work trips included.
- Family policies can cover parents and children together. Check who counts as a family member and whether children must travel with you.
Common exclusions to check
- Pre-existing conditions. Answer the insurer's health questions fully. A known condition may be excluded or accepted with an extra premium, and one you did not disclose when asked can cost you the claim.
- Sports and activities. Skiing, diving and similar activities often need an extension.
- Motorbikes, scooters and alcohol. Riding abroad without the licence that country requires, and accidents under the influence of alcohol, are typical exclusions.
- Timing. Buy the policy before you leave, and ideally when you book, so that cancellation cover applies from the start.
- Bank cards. Some cards include travel cover. Read the card's terms before you rely on it, for example whether the trip must be paid with the card and how high the medical limit is.
Planning a trip? Ask us for a travel insurance quote
We ask the insurance companies we work with for proposals, explain them side by side and reply within 24 hours on working days, with no obligation.
Countries that require travel insurance to enter
Most countries do not check insurance at the border, but some do, and the rules change. The examples below are confirmed by official sources. Before any trip, check the official website or the embassy of the country you are visiting.
| Destination | What is required | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | Since 1 January 2026, all tourists entering Georgia need valid health and accident insurance with minimum cover of 30,000 GEL (Georgian lari) for the whole stay, including the days of arrival and departure. The policy can be on paper or electronic, in Georgian or English, and issued by a Georgian or a foreign insurer. Holders of diplomatic or official passports, and some others covered by international agreements, are exempt | Greek Embassy in Tbilisi, 29 December 2025 |
| Cuba | Medical insurance has been required to enter Cuba since 1 May 2010, and you show the policy at customs. If you arrive without it, you have to buy a policy from the Cuban state insurer | Official Cuban tourism portal |
| Countries that issue you a visa | Some countries ask for travel insurance with the visa application; relatives who need a Schengen visa to visit you need at least €30,000 of cover (next section) | The country's consulate; EU Visa Code, art. 15 |
What to carry
- A policy certificate in your name, showing the dates of the whole trip, the destination and the cover amounts.
- For Georgia, a certificate that clearly shows health and accident cover of at least 30,000 GEL for every day of your stay, in Georgian or English. Ask for it before you buy.
- The insurer's emergency phone number, saved on your phone and written down.
Family visiting you from outside the EU: Schengen visa insurance
If your parents, partner or other relatives need a Schengen short-stay visa to visit you in Greece, they will usually have to show travel medical insurance with the application. The rules are in the EU Visa Code, Regulation (EC) 810/2009, article 15:
- What it covers: the costs of medical repatriation, urgent medical attention, emergency hospital treatment or death during the stay.
- Minimum cover: €30,000, valid throughout the Schengen area, for the entire intended stay.
- Multiple-entry visas: the insurance must cover the first visit, and the applicant signs a statement on the visa form that they know they need insurance for later stays.
- Where to buy it: applicants should, in principle, take out the insurance in their country of residence, and elsewhere if that is not possible. If another person takes out the insurance in the applicant's name, the same conditions apply. The consulate also checks whether claims against the insurer could be recovered in a Schengen country.
If you are a citizen of another EU country living in Greece: your spouse, your children under 21 or still dependent on you, and dependent parents, yours or your spouse's, fall under EU free-movement rules (Directive 2004/38/EC) when they come to join you or travel with you. For that visa they cannot be required to show travel medical insurance, although cover is still sensible: without it, they pay for any treatment themselves.
The €30,000 rule is for short visits. If a relative plans to live in Greece, the residence permit has its own health insurance rules, with different covers. See health insurance for a Greek residence permit.
Relatives who do not need a visa
- From another EU country: they can use their own EHIC for necessary state care in Greece. Like yours, it does not pay for private care or a flight home.
- From the UK: a UK GHIC or UK EHIC covers medically necessary state healthcare in EU countries. According to the NHS, it does not replace travel insurance and does not cover private treatment, medical repatriation or ski and mountain rescue.
- From elsewhere, for example the United States: no EHIC applies and, as visitors, they are not insured in the Greek public system. Travel medical insurance from their home country is the usual answer.
Can a policy be bought in Greece for a relative who lives abroad? It depends on each insurer's terms, and for a visa the consulate decides whether the policy is adequate. Ask us before the visa appointment and we will check with the insurance companies we work with what is possible.
Driving abroad with your Greek car: Green Card vs travel insurance
Two different policies are involved. Car insurance is compulsory and covers the damage and injuries you cause to others with the car; the Green Card is the international certificate that proves it. Travel insurance covers people: your medical costs, repatriation and the rest of your trip. It does not cover the car, and car insurance does not replace it.
| Where you drive | Your Greek car insurance |
|---|---|
| All EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Andorra, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro | Your policy is valid. A Green Card is not compulsory, but AADE advises carrying one: it is recognised internationally and makes it easier to deal with the other driver, the police and the local insurers' bureau after an accident |
| Albania, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Moldova, North Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine | A Green Card is compulsory |
| Kosovo | The authorities tell you on entry which documents you need to drive there |
Source: AADE, FAQ on Greek vehicles leaving the country (version 2.0, March 2026). You get the Green Card from the insurer of your car, so ask for it well before you leave.
What else to check before you drive abroad
- Optional covers. Your compulsory third-party cover is valid in all other EU countries, but there are no EU-wide rules for optional covers such as own damage, theft or roadside assistance. Insurers may limit them by time or distance, or exclude some countries (Your Europe). Check your contract; see also our guide to car insurance in Greece.
- Documents in the car. Keep your insurance certificate and, where you have one, the Green Card with the car's papers.
- The people in the car. For medical bills, repatriation or a cancelled trip, you need travel insurance, for yourself and for your passengers.
How to choose travel insurance, and how Leadinsure helps
- Start from the destination. Within the EHIC countries, the rest of the world, or a country that asks for insurance at the border.
- Choose a medical limit that suits the destination, and check that medical repatriation is included.
- Decide on cancellation cover when you book, not the week before you fly.
- Declare health conditions and activities such as skiing or diving.
- Keep your EHIC valid as well. Within the countries where it works, the card and the policy work together.
How Leadinsure helps
Leadinsure is an insurance agency (registered insurance agent) for individuals and businesses. We ask the insurance companies we work with for travel insurance proposals for your trip and explain them to you side by side: the medical limit, repatriation, cancellation, exclusions and the certificate you may need at a border. You pay us no separate fee: our commission is already included in the premium. You can arrange everything with us by phone or email. Request a travel insurance quote or email info@leadinsure.gr. We reply within 24 hours on working days, with no obligation. You can also call +30 28210 86065. Office hours (Greek time): Monday to Friday 09:00–16:00 and 17:30–20:30, Saturday 09:00–14:00.
Travelling soon? Get a travel insurance quote
We ask the insurance companies we work with for proposals, explain them side by side and reply within 24 hours on working days, with no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need travel insurance if I have an EHIC?
The EHIC gives you only medically necessary state healthcare in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the UK, on the same terms as local people. It does not pay for private treatment, medical repatriation, rescue, a cancelled trip or lost luggage, and it does not work in other countries. The European Commission says it is not an alternative to travel insurance.
Is travel insurance compulsory if I live in Greece?
Not for most trips: it is your choice. It becomes a requirement when your destination asks for it, for example Georgia since 1 January 2026 and Cuba since 1 May 2010, and for most people who apply for a Schengen visa. Without it, you pay yourself for any treatment your EHIC does not cover.
How do I get a European Health Insurance Card in Greece?
Apply to e-EFKA online through gov.gr with your Taxisnet codes and print a temporary card at once, or apply by video call or in person at an e-EFKA office or a KEP. You need active insurance status with e-EFKA and your AMKA. The card costs nothing and is valid for one year.
Can I use my Greek EHIC if I am not an EU citizen?
Yes, with limits. If your insurance with e-EFKA is active you can get one, but nationals of non-EU countries cannot use it in Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, unless they are refugees living in an EU country or are covered as family members of an EU citizen. For trips to those countries, take travel insurance.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Georgia?
Yes. Since 1 January 2026, all tourists entering Georgia must hold health and accident insurance with cover of at least 30,000 GEL for the whole stay, including the days of arrival and departure. According to the Greek Embassy in Tbilisi, the policy can be on paper or electronic, in Georgian or English, and from a Georgian or a foreign insurer.
What insurance does my parent need for a Schengen visa to visit me in Greece?
Travel medical insurance of at least €30,000, valid throughout the Schengen area for the whole stay, covering medical repatriation, urgent medical care, emergency hospital treatment and death (EU Visa Code, article 15). It should in principle be bought in the country where your parent lives; someone else can take it out in their name if it meets the same conditions. One exception: if you are a citizen of another EU country living in Greece and your parent depends on you, EU free-movement rules apply and the consulate cannot require this insurance, although it is still worth having.
Do I need a Green Card to drive to Albania, North Macedonia or Turkey?
Yes. According to AADE, Greek cars must carry a Green Card in Albania, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Moldova, North Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey and Ukraine. In the EU and in countries such as Serbia, Switzerland and the UK, your Greek policy is valid without one, although carrying it is advised. You get it from your car insurer.
Does my car insurance cover me when I drive in other EU countries?
Your compulsory third-party cover is valid in all other EU countries. Optional covers, such as own damage, theft or roadside assistance, follow your contract and may be limited by time or distance or exclude some countries, so check before you go. Car insurance is not travel insurance: for medical bills, repatriation or a cancelled trip you need a travel policy.
Sources
The laws, decisions and official pages we checked for this guide. Many of them are in Greek.
Show all 13 sources
- European Commission: European Health Insurance Card (27 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom; same conditions and cost as local insured people; not an alternative to travel insurance)
- Your Europe: unplanned healthcare on temporary stays, EHIC limits, rescue and repatriation, non-EU nationals (last checked 16/09/2026)
- gov.gr: European Health Insurance Card, online application with Taxisnet and temporary card
- mitos.gov.gr (National Register of Administrative Procedures): issue of a European Health Insurance Card, active insurance status with e-EFKA, one-year validity, ways to apply, S1 when moving abroad (updated 12/10/2026)
- Greek Embassy in Tbilisi (mfa.gr), 29 December 2025: mandatory health insurance for tourists entering Georgia from 1 January 2026
- Official Cuban tourism portal: entry requirements, medical insurance compulsory since 1 May 2010
- Regulation (EC) 810/2009 (EU Visa Code), art. 15: travel medical insurance of at least €30,000 for Schengen visa applicants
- Directive 2004/38/EC, arts 2(2) and 3(1): family members of EU citizens living in another EU country who accompany or join them
- European Commission, Visa Code Handbook I (2020), Part II, point 5.3.1: family members of EU citizens covered by Directive 2004/38/EC are exempt from presenting travel medical insurance (Word document, Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal: family members of EU citizens do not need to provide health insurance for the visa (PDF)
- NHS: UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) and UK EHIC, what they cover and what they do not
- AADE: FAQ on Greek vehicles leaving the country, version 2.0 (March 2026): where the Greek policy is valid and where a Green Card is compulsory
- Your Europe: vehicle insurance cover in other EU countries, compulsory and optional cover (last checked 13/10/2026)