Nobody plans to need medical care on holiday. But knowing where to go and what to expect before you need it transforms a stressful situation into a manageable one. Athens has good medical facilities — both public hospitals and an excellent private hospital sector — and understanding the system, the insurance requirements, and the practical logistics of accessing care is genuinely useful knowledge for any visitor to the Greek capital. This guide covers everything: the main hospitals, the pharmacy system, emergency numbers, what to do with different levels of medical need, how EU and non-EU health insurance works in Greece, travel insurance specifics, and how to prepare before you arrive.
For the complete Athens planning picture: our Greece travel essentials guide covers health insurance, medications, and practical preparation. For getting around Athens to reach medical facilities: our Athens transport guide.
Emergency Numbers: Know These Before You Need Them
112: The pan-European emergency number — reaches police, fire, and ambulance. English-speaking operators available. This is the number to call for any life-threatening emergency in Greece.
166: Athens ambulance service (EKAB — National Center for Emergency Assistance) directly. Faster if you know you specifically need an ambulance rather than police or fire.
100: Police emergency. For non-medical emergencies involving crime or safety.
199: Fire department. For fires or rescue situations not requiring medical care.
The 112 number is the safest single number to memorize — it routes to all emergency services and has the most reliable English-language support. Save it in your phone before arriving in Greece. An Airalo eSIM ensures your phone has data connectivity from the moment you land — essential for navigation to hospitals in an emergency, especially if your home SIM’s international roaming has failed or is unreliable. Set it up before departure.
Athens Major Public Hospitals
Athens has several major public general hospitals providing emergency care to all patients regardless of nationality or insurance status. The most important for visitors:
Evaggelismos Hospital (Ipsilandou 45-47, Kolonaki): The largest and best-resourced public hospital in Athens — the reference center for major trauma and complex cases, with 24-hour emergency department. Located in Kolonaki, accessible by metro (Evangelismos station, Line 3, Blue line). The emergency department (Epigon) is the busiest in Athens; waiting times for non-urgent cases can be significant in peak summer. For genuine emergencies, this is the correct destination.
Laiko General Hospital (Agiou Thoma 17, Goudi): A major public general hospital east of the city center, with full emergency department and specialty services. Accessible by bus from central Athens.
KAT Hospital (Nikis 2, Kifissia): The main orthopedic and traumatology hospital in Athens — the correct destination for bone fractures, serious sports injuries, and orthopedic emergencies. Located in the northern suburb of Kifissia (metro Line 1, Kifissia station). For broken bones from falls at archaeological sites (more common than you’d think — uneven ancient stone and sandals are a poor combination): KAT is the specialist destination.
Aretaieio Hospital (Vasilissis Sofias 76, near Hilton): University hospital with strong internal medicine and specialty services. Good option for non-emergency specialist consultations with a referral.
Private Hospitals: The Better Option for Most Visitors
For visitors with travel insurance or private health coverage, Athens’s private hospitals offer significantly shorter waiting times, English-speaking staff throughout, and the physical environment of modern private healthcare. The quality difference between Greek public and private hospitals is substantial — the private sector has invested heavily in facilities and international medical standards. For anything non-emergency (and for emergencies if you can choose), the private hospitals are the recommended option:
Hygeia Hospital (Erithrou Stavrou 4, Marousi): One of the best private hospitals in Greece — full-service, modern facilities, English-speaking staff throughout, 24-hour emergency department. Located in the northern suburb of Marousi (metro Line 1, Neratziotissa station). Hygeia is the hospital most frequently recommended by Athens-based expats and the international community for serious medical needs. For transport to Hygeia from central Athens: book a private transfer through Welcome Pickups — in a medical situation, guaranteed door-to-door transport with no taxi queue is worth the cost, and the driver will know the hospital entrance directly.
Metropolitan Hospital (Ethnarchou Makariou & Andrea Papandreou 1, Nea Faliro): Southern Athens location, full-service private hospital, 24-hour emergency department. Accessible from central Athens by tram and bus. Check current patient reviews at TripAdvisor — the healthcare listing section covers current visitor experiences at Athens hospitals.
Athens Medical Center (Distomou 5-7, Marousi): Another well-regarded private facility in the northern suburbs with full emergency and specialty services.
Iasso Hospital (Kifissias 37-39, Marousi): Specializes in maternity and pediatric care — the best option for pregnancy complications or pediatric emergencies in Athens. English-speaking staff, modern facilities.
For all private hospital visits: present your travel insurance details immediately — most Athens private hospitals have international insurance desks arranging direct billing rather than requiring upfront payment. If upfront payment is required, keep all receipts for your insurance claim. If your accommodation is far from central Athens or in a suburb, book overnight stays for medical recovery through Booking.com near the hospital rather than traveling long distances post-treatment.
Pharmacies: Athens’s Most Accessible Medical Resource
Greek pharmacies (farmakeia — the green cross sign) are exceptional for visitors with minor medical needs. The Greek pharmacist’s role extends significantly beyond dispensing prescriptions: they are trained to diagnose and treat minor ailments, recommend over-the-counter treatments, and advise on whether a doctor visit is necessary. For most minor travel health issues (stomach upset, mild respiratory symptoms, minor skin problems, travel sickness, insect bites, minor wounds), a Greek pharmacy visit is the correct first step — faster than a hospital or clinic, often sufficient, and completely free for the consultation.
Pharmacies in central Athens are densely distributed — at least one within 5 minutes’ walk of almost any point in the tourist center. English is widely spoken at pharmacies in tourist areas. Hours: typically 9am-8pm Monday-Friday, 9am-3pm Saturday. Outside these hours, a night duty system operates — look for a posted sign on any closed pharmacy giving the nearest night pharmacy (farmakeia efimerias), or call 1434 (the pharmacy duty hotline).
Specific items to know: prescription medications from your home country can often be dispensed without a local prescription for short-term supply in Greece — ask the pharmacist rather than assuming you need a local prescription. Common antibiotics, painkillers, and standard medications are typically available. Specialized medications may require a prescription from an Athens doctor.
EU Health Coverage in Greece
EU citizens (including those using the UK GHIC card post-Brexit) are entitled to use the Greek public health system under the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) scheme — this covers treatment at public hospitals and clinics at the same cost as Greek nationals (for most services: free or minimal charge). The EHIC/GHIC does not cover private healthcare. The practical limitation: Greek public hospitals can have significant waiting times for non-emergency cases, and facilities are less modern than private alternatives. The EHIC is a useful safety net but not a substitute for travel insurance covering private healthcare access.
Non-EU travelers (US, Australian, Canadian, etc.): comprehensive travel insurance including medical coverage is strongly recommended. Greek private hospital costs are significantly lower than US healthcare equivalents but are not trivial — a private hospital emergency visit can run €200-500 for diagnostics and treatment, more for anything requiring admission. Ensure your travel insurance specifically covers medical evacuation if your condition requires transfer to your home country.
Minor Medical Issues: What to Do
Stomach upset / food poisoning: Pharmacy first — rehydration salts, anti-nausea medication, antidiarrheal preparations. For mild to moderate cases: pharmacy, rest, oral rehydration. For persistent vomiting preventing fluid intake or high fever: emergency department.
Sunburn and heat exhaustion: Athens in July-August regularly reaches 38-40°C. Sunburn: pharmacy for after-sun treatments. Heat exhaustion (weakness, dizziness, nausea from overheating): move to shade or air-conditioning, fluids, rest. Heatstroke (confusion, very high body temperature, hot dry skin): emergency — call 112 immediately. Book accommodation with confirmed air conditioning through Booking.com for Athens summer — this is not optional.
Insect bites: Athens mosquitoes are present in summer, particularly near water and wooded areas. Antihistamine cream and oral antihistamines from any pharmacy. Significant reaction to bites, fever, or joint pain following bites warrants a doctor visit.
Minor wounds and cuts: Pharmacies supply wound care supplies. For anything requiring sutures or involving deep puncture wounds: emergency department or private urgent care clinic.
Dental emergencies: Athens has dental clinics throughout the city; private dental care is significantly cheaper than in the UK or US. For acute dental pain outside clinic hours: dental emergency services operate through major private hospitals and dedicated after-hours dental clinics. Ask your hotel concierge for the nearest current option.
Illness while island-hopping: If medical care is needed while on a Greek island, most islands have a health center (kentro ygeias) for basic care. For anything serious on a smaller island: medical evacuation to Athens or the nearest larger island hospital may be necessary — ensure your travel insurance covers this specifically. Book your island ferries through Ferryscanner to maintain flexibility if your schedule needs to change due to illness.
Travel Insurance: What You Actually Need for Greece
The practical travel insurance guidance specific to Greece:
Medical coverage minimum: €100,000 medical expense coverage is the standard recommendation for European travel. Greek private hospitals are significantly cheaper than US equivalents but costs can accumulate quickly for anything requiring hospitalization.
Medical evacuation: If you have any pre-existing condition that could require specialist treatment, ensure your policy includes medical evacuation to your home country. For island travel specifically, evacuation from a small island to Athens (helicopter or emergency ferry) and then potentially onward to your home country represents a significant cost that standard travel policies don’t always cover.
Trip cancellation for ferry-dependent itineraries: Island-hopping itineraries that depend on ferry schedules are vulnerable to weather cancellations (Meltemi wind in July-August is unpredictable). A travel insurance policy covering trip interruption protects accommodation and onward travel bookings when ferries are cancelled. Book ferries through Ferryscanner for the best flexible fare options.
Adventure activities: If your visit includes hiking (Filopappou Hill, the Pnyx paths, any Peloponnese or island walking), water sports at Riviera beaches, or sailing (book island sailing tours through Viator), ensure your policy covers these specifically — many standard policies exclude activities classified as “hazardous.” Book a rental car through Discover Cars only after confirming your travel insurance covers driving in Greece.
Health Preparation Before Arriving
Bring sufficient prescription medication for your full trip plus several extra days — weather delays and missed ferries extend itineraries unexpectedly. Keep medications in original packaging with a copy of the prescription. For controlled substances, bring prescriptions specifically in case of customs questions. No vaccinations are required for entry to Greece. Ensure routine vaccinations (tetanus, MMR) are current. No malaria risk in Athens or the major tourist islands. A Airalo eSIM set up before departure means your phone has data connectivity from the moment you land at Athens airport — critical for health app access, navigation to pharmacies, and emergency communication if needed.
Guided Medical Tourism: Athens Private Healthcare
Athens is increasingly a destination for planned medical and dental procedures — the combination of high-quality private hospitals, English-speaking specialists, and costs significantly below Western European and US equivalents makes it attractive for elective procedures. Several Athens medical tourism coordinators offer packages combining private hospital consultations with Athens accommodation and transport. For international visitors seeking planned private medical care in Athens: book consultations through hospital international patient services directly, arrange accommodation near the hospital through Booking.com, and book guided Athens orientation tours through GetYourGuide for the non-medical days of your stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the emergency number in Athens?
112 for all emergencies (ambulance, police, fire) — available in English. 166 specifically for ambulance. Save 112 in your phone before arriving in Greece.
Are there English-speaking doctors in Athens?
Yes — extensively in the private hospital sector (Hygeia, Metropolitan, Athens Medical Center) and at most central Athens private clinics. Less universally available in the public hospital sector outside the Evaggelismos emergency department.
Can I use my EU health card in Athens?
Yes — the EHIC (EU) and GHIC (UK) cover public hospital treatment at Greek public hospitals. Does not cover private healthcare. Travel insurance covering private care is strongly recommended for all visitors.
Where is the best private hospital in Athens?
Hygeia Hospital in Marousi (metro Line 1, Neratziotissa) is consistently rated the highest-quality private hospital in Athens with the best English-language service and most modern facilities.
What should I do if I get sick on a Greek island?
Visit the island health center (kentro ygeias) for basic care. For anything serious: contact your travel insurer immediately for evacuation guidance. Ensure your island accommodation has contact details for the nearest health center — ask at check-in on arrival. Keep ferry options open through Ferryscanner for schedule flexibility if you need to return to Athens for treatment.
Related Athens Planning Guides
For full travel preparation: our Greece travel essentials guide. For getting around Athens: our Athens transport guide. For airport transfers: our Athens airport guide.
We Hope You Never Need This Guide
But if you do: 112 is always the right first call for emergencies. For non-emergencies, Hygeia Hospital for private care, a pharmacy for minor issues. Book transport to hospitals through Welcome Pickups. Set up Airalo eSIM for connectivity. Book central accommodation through Booking.com. Check hospital reviews at TripAdvisor. For more Athens practical guides, explore athensglance.com.