Travel Insurance for Greece

Having a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), or the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) as it was formerly known, can be beneficial if you need to access any treatment for minor medical issues while in Greece. As a member of the European Union, the EHIC/GHIC grants access to government-run healthcare for free or at a reduced cost for UK and EU tourists. In addition to your EHIC/GHIC, you’ll still need to arrange dedicated holiday insurance for Greece to cover things not included under the GHIC system, such as repatriation or more complicated medical emergencies arising from pre-existing medical conditions. 

The UK is no longer a member of the European Union. However, EHIC cards issued in the UK will continue to be accepted until their expiry date. Once expired, EHIC cards will be replaced with the new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) and they will operate in a similar way to the EHIC. Do not substitute an EHIC/GHIC for Travel Insurance – make sure you take out a high-quality policy before your travels.

The Greek Islands are amongst Europe’s most appealing cruise destinations. Cruises are a fantastic way to see the finest of Greece since they allow you to travel from island to island without having to worry about boat timings or hotel bookings. It is important to remember, however, that a GHIC does not provide valid insurance onboard a cruise ship. For this, you’ll need specialist Cruise Travel Insurance that is tailored to your needs. At Just Travel Cover, our cruise policies are designed to protect you for events specifically related to cruise travel, e.g. missed port departures and cabin confinement cover. Please note that for many cruise lines, having cruise-specific Travel Insurance is a mandatory requirement.

When travelling to any destination, Travel Insurance is a must. For your holiday to Greece, we aim to find a Travel Insurance policy tailored to your Greek holiday, and any other needs, with flexible options depending on how much cover you need. For example, you’ll need to consider how much cancellation cover you need and any pre-existing medical conditions you may have. If you’re looking to take part in any activities, make sure you declare these when taking out your policy. At Just Travel Cover our specialist insurers can provide cover with; 

• No upper age limits 
• Cancellation insurance of up to £12,500 (or £50,000 upon referral with top-up cancellation) per person
• Baggage cover of up to £3,000 per person
• Personal liability cover up to £2 million per person
• All travel companions included under the same policy
• Zero excess 

• Pre-existing medical conditions considered
• Emergency medical and repatriation expenses of up to £15 million
• English speaking 24/7 emergency medical assistance helpline

Yes, Greece is considered part of Europe, and this includes for Travel Insurance purposes. When purchasing a single-trip policy for Greece, you can declare Greece as the destination rather than the Greek Island or city you are visiting. If you are purchasing an annual policy, a Europe policy will cover Greece. Our policies cater to healthcare needs for tourists, including emergency medical and repatriation expenses of up to £15 million.

The Greek islands are an incredibly popular destination amongst tourists, and there are plenty to choose from! Depending on whether you’re relaxing, partying, immersing yourself in Greek history, or all the above, make sure to research which Greek island will be best suited for your trip.

The best islands for luxury and nightlife are: 

• Santorini
• Mykonos
• Zante
• Corfu
• Kos
• Paros 
• Ios

For history and culture visit:

• Crete
• Athens
• Kos
• Rhodes
• Delos
• Santorini

If you’re looking for a family-friendly destination visit: 

• Corfu
• Crete
• Rhodes
• Naxos
• Kos 
• Mykonos

For the picturesque beaches, why not take a trip to:

• Zanta
• Paxi
• Santorini
• Tilos
• Ikaria
• Milos

Tourists travelling to Greece should be aware that the country has a mix of public and private healthcare facilities. Public healthcare in Greece is accessible to all, but it can be crowded and under-resourced in some areas, especially on the islands. Private healthcare facilities offer higher standards of care and are preferred by many tourists for non-emergency needs. It’s important for tourists to have Travel Insurance for Greece to cover medical expenses, as healthcare in Greece for tourists can be costly, especially in private hospitals. Always check with your insurance provider for specifics about medical cover in Greece.

Healthcare in Greece is not free for tourists. While emergency services are available, primary healthcare services come with a fee, typically starting at around €20. The costs can add up quickly for more extensive treatments or hospitalisation, making Travel Insurance for Greece a wise choice. For UK citizens with a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), some healthcare services in Greece are accessible at the same cost as residents, which might be free or at a reduced cost. However, these cards do not cover all medical expenses, such as private care or medical repatriation. Make sure to secure Travel Insurance that covers your Greece holiday.