Greece is a member of the European Union: no visa required, national ID accepted, and the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is recognised in public hospitals. But the EHIC doesn’t cover private clinics or medical repatriation, and healthcare facilities remain limited outside Athens and Thessaloniki. Travel insurance for Greece fills those gaps and lets you travel with complete peace of mind.
Get my quoteIs travel insurance mandatory for Greece?
Travel insurance is not required to enter Greece for French nationals. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gives you access to emergency care in the public sector, but it doesn’t cover private clinics, medical repatriation or trip cancellations. Travel insurance covers the risks the EHIC leaves entirely at your expense.
Why take out travel insurance for Greece?
- Private clinics at your own cost: Public hospitals apply the EHIC for emergencies, but private clinics, often more accessible, charge their full rates. A single consultation in the Greek private sector can exceed 200 euros.
- Repatriation not covered by the EHIC: If your condition requires a medicalised return to France, the EHIC pays nothing. Only travel insurance covers the cost of medical transport, its organisation and all related expenses.
- Limited healthcare outside major cities: Only Athens and Thessaloniki have well-equipped medical facilities. On the islands and in remote areas, standards vary considerably and an emergency transfer to the mainland may be necessary.
- Specific natural hazards: Greece is prone to earthquakes and summer forest fires. An injury during an evacuation or an accident in such circumstances calls for rapid coverage for medical costs and repatriation.
- Theft and travel disruptions: Pickpocketing is on the rise in some tourist areas of Athens. A health emergency, a strike or a cancellation can also derail your plans: travel insurance protects you on both fronts.
What your Yupwego Greece travel insurance covers
For a worry-free trip to Greece, Yupwego recommends a minimum of 80,000 euros in medical and repatriation coverage.
- Medical expenses and hospitalisation: Yupwego settles the bill directly with the clinic or hospital, so you never have to pay upfront, even in the private sector.
- Medical repatriation: If your condition requires it, you return to France on a fully organised, medicalised transport, covered in full.
- Third-party liability: If you cause damage to someone else during your trip, your policy covers the financial consequences, within the limits set out in your contract.
- Cancellation and trip interruption: If a covered event prevents you from travelling or forces you to return early, you are reimbursed for costs already paid, according to your cover level.
- Baggage and personal belongings: Stolen or lost items are compensated according to your policy terms, including theft with break-in or loss in transit.
Healthcare in Greece
The Greek health system combines a public sector (the ESY network) and private clinics. With the EHIC, emergency care in public hospitals is accessible at no cost, but the quality of facilities varies considerably outside Athens and Thessaloniki, particularly on the islands. The main health risks to be aware of: West Nile fever, transmitted by mosquitoes (especially in the north), leishmaniasis and Lyme disease in rural and forested areas from April to October. Before you travel, make sure your vaccinations are up to date, in particular diphtheria, tetanus, polio, whooping cough and measles.
Entry requirements for Greece
French nationals can enter Greece with a valid national identity card or passport, with no visa required for tourist stays of under 90 days. Non-EU and non-Swiss nationals should check the residence permit requirements for stays beyond that period. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers emergency care in the public sector but is not a replacement for travel insurance: it does not apply to private clinics or medical repatriation. Travelling as a family or for an extended period? Take a look at family travel insurance or long-stay travel insurance from Yupwego.
Car hire and road accidents in Greece
Renting a car is a popular way to explore the Peloponnese or the larger Greek islands. Your French driving licence is valid in Greece as an EU member state; always insist on a written inspection report before taking the keys. In the event of an accident, your travel insurance covers your medical expenses and repatriation if you are injured (personal injury), as well as your liability to third parties, subject to your policy terms. It does not cover damage to the hired vehicle itself: take out the rental company’s insurance or a collision damage waiver (CDW) directly with the agency to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
