Do digital nomads need health insurance in Greece?
Yes. Digital nomads in Greece need private health insurance because the public system is mainly for residents, and medical costs for foreigners can add up quickly.
Key reasons insurance is essential in Greece:
- No public cover for visitors: Greece’s public system (ESY) is affordable for locals but not accessible to most nomads.
- Private hospitals are costly: A specialist visit can cost €100–250, while hospital stays often reach thousands without insurance.
- Island challenges: Many smaller islands only have basic clinics. Serious cases require helicopter evacuation to Athens or Crete.
- Visa requirement: The Digital Nomad Visa requires valid health insurance that covers emergencies, hospitalization, and repatriation.
- Everyday risks: Scooters, hiking, and water sports are common nomad activities that increase accident risk.
💡 In short: Health insurance in Greece ensures fast access to private clinics and hospitals, covers costly evacuations from islands, and fulfills visa requirements.
How much does healthcare cost in Greece without insurance?
For digital nomads, healthcare in Greece is affordable compared to northern Europe, but costs can still add up quickly without insurance. Here’s what to expect at private facilities:
- GP visit: €40-60 for a consultation
- Specialist: €80-150 depending on the doctor and clinic
- Hospital overnight: €300-600 per day in a private hospital
- Emergency evacuation: €3,000+ for helicopter transfer from islands to Athens or Crete
Why it matters: These numbers highlight why insurance is essential in Greece. Even routine care can get expensive, and evacuation from smaller islands adds a major financial risk.
Travel insurance vs digital nomad insurance in Greece
Travel insurance and digital nomad insurance in Greece are not the same. Travel insurance works for short holidays, while digital nomad insurance is designed for longer stays, remote work, and visa applications.
Main differences:
- Length of stay: Travel insurance usually ends after 30–90 days. Digital nomad insurance can continue month-to-month or for a full year.
- Coverage scope: Travel insurance often covers only emergencies. Digital nomad insurance also includes doctor visits, diagnostics, and prescriptions.
- Work fit: Travel insurance is built for tourists. Digital nomad insurance fits freelancers, employees, and entrepreneurs working from Greece.
- Buying flexibility: Travel insurance usually must be purchased before departure. Digital nomad insurance can be started or extended while already in Greece.
- Activities: Many Greek activities like scooter riding, scuba diving or hiking Meteora are excluded under travel insurance. Nomad insurance typically includes these or offers add-ons.
- Visa support: Greece’s Digital Nomad Visa requires proof of valid health insurance. Digital nomad policies can issue the necessary documentation.
In short: Travel insurance is fine for a short holiday, but if you’re staying longer, working remotely, or applying for a visa, digital nomad insurance is the safer choice. For a deeper dive into the differences, check our full guide: Travel Insurance vs Digital Nomad Insurance.
Is Genki Traveler good insurance for Greece?
Yes. Genki Traveler is one of the best options for digital nomads in Greece because it combines strong medical coverage with direct billing options, making it ideal for private healthcare and for fulfilling visa requirements.
Key features of Genki Traveler
- Price: €52.50/month (~$58)
- Coverage: €1,000,000 per year
- Deductible: €50 per claim (waived for inpatient stays)
- Included: Outpatient visits, diagnostics (X-ray, MRI, CT), prescribed medication, surgery, hospital stays
- Extras: Physiotherapy (6 sessions/claim), ambulance transport (including island evacuations), emergency dental (up to €1,000), sports & outdoor activities coverage
Why it works in Greece
- Visa-ready option: Genki can issue documentation that often aligns with Greece’s Digital Nomad Visa requirements, though applicants should always confirm with consular offices.
- Private healthcare access: Greece’s best hospitals, like Hygeia in Athens or Interbalkan in Thessaloniki, often require upfront payment. Genki’s support team may arrange direct billing for inpatient stays.
- Island challenges covered: Smaller islands may only have basic clinics. Genki covers ambulance transfers and helicopter evacuation to mainland hospitals.
- Active lifestyle fit: From diving in Crete to hiking in Meteora, Genki’s coverage includes many of the activities nomads enjoy in Greece.
Limitations
- No cover for pre-existing conditions within the past 12 months
- Excludes preventive care, maternity, and mental health
- Dental only for accidents (capped at €1,000)
- Alternative therapies (like acupuncture) not included
✅ Best for: Digital nomads and expats in Greece who want comprehensive health-first coverage with lower out-of-pocket costs, especially if applying for the Digital Nomad Visa or living on islands with evacuation risks.
Yes. SafetyWing Essential is a budget-friendly option for digital nomads in Greece, offering core health protection and travel extras like luggage and trip interruption.
Key features of SafetyWing Essential
- Price: $56 / 4 weeks (~$60/month)
- Coverage: $250,000 per coverage period
- Deductible: None outside the U.S. (small copays apply only with U.S. add-on)
- Included: Hospitalization, surgery, prescriptions (up to 60 days), diagnostics, evacuation, repatriation
- Travel extras: Lost luggage (up to $3,000), trip interruption, stolen passport, personal liability
Why it works in Greece
- Affordable coverage: At ~$60/month, SafetyWing fits well with Greece’s relatively low living costs, especially outside hotspots like Santorini or Mykonos.
- Island travel ready: Continuous 28-day renewals keep you covered while hopping between islands, with no gaps when ferry schedules change.
- Regional coverage: Valid throughout the EU and neighboring countries, useful for quick trips to Turkey, Italy, or the Balkans.
- Travel extras: Coverage for lost luggage, trip interruption, and liability provides additional peace of mind while moving around Europe.
Limitations
- Lower medical cap than Genki (€1M vs $250K)
- Pay-upfront model: You typically pay first and claim reimbursement (direct billing is rare)
- Excludes pre-existing conditions, cancer treatment, routine checkups, maternity, and most mental health care
- Some adventure sports (like advanced diving or motorbiking) may require the Adventure Sports add-on
✅ Best for: Budget-conscious nomads in Greece who mainly want emergency protection plus travel extras, and those combining their Greek stay with regional or EU travel.
Genki Traveler vs SafetyWing Essential: Which is better for digital nomads in Greece?
Both Genki Traveler and SafetyWing Essential work well in Greece, but they serve different needs.
Quick comparison:
- Medical coverage: Genki €1,000,000/year vs SafetyWing $250,000/period
- Deductible: Genki €50/claim (waived inpatient) vs SafetyWing none outside the U.S.
- Healthcare focus: Genki = health-first with strong hospital & outpatient cover. SafetyWing = emergency cover + travel extras
- Sports & activities: Genki includes many outdoor sports (surfing, hiking, diving with cert.). SafetyWing covers standard activities; high-risk sports need the Adventure Sports add-on
- Hospital billing: Genki sometimes offers direct inpatient billing. SafetyWing typically requires paying upfront and filing claims later
- Travel extras: Genki = health-only. SafetyWing = luggage, trip interruption, liability
- Best for: Genki = longer stays, higher coverage, health-first protection. SafetyWing = budget nomads, shorter stays, or those mixing Greece with regional travel
👉 Choose Genki Traveler if you want robust medical protection and higher coverage limits for a longer stay in Greece.
👉 Choose SafetyWing Essential if you want a lower-cost plan with built-in travel extras and are comfortable with a lower coverage cap.
What are the health insurance rules for the Digital Nomad Visa and long-term stays in Greece?
According to the official Greek government, applicants for the Digital Nomad Visa must hold travel insurance valid for the full visa period, covering at least:
- Emergency medical care
- Emergency hospital treatment
- Repatriation for medical reasons
This is the minimum legal requirement for the visa. The rules do not specify coverage amounts or deductible levels, but in practice, consulates may expect comprehensive international health insurance rather than short-term travel-only policies.
How Genki and SafetyWing fit these requirements:
- Genki Native goes beyond emergencies, covering outpatient visits, diagnostics, hospital treatment, prescribed medication, rehabilitation, and more. It’s a health-first plan designed for long stays in Europe.
- SafetyWing Complete also covers non-emergency care, including cancer treatment, mental health, prescriptions, and rehabilitation, on top of inpatient and outpatient care.
Other stay types:
- Visitor visas (short stays): Health insurance is not always mandatory, but strongly recommended since non-residents must pay private rates.
- Work and residence permits: Applicants often need to show proof of ongoing insurance until registered with the Greek public healthcare system (EFKA).
⚠️ Important note: These details are based on research in September 2025. Always verify the latest visa and insurance requirements on the official Greek Ministry of Migration & Asylum website or with your local consulate before applying.
What’s the best health insurance for digital nomads in Greece?
The best health insurance for Greece depends on how long you’re staying and if you plan to apply for the Digital Nomad Visa.
For most digital nomads visiting Greece:
- Genki Traveler is the stronger option if you’re staying several months and want robust health-first coverage with a low deductible. It works well for private clinics in Athens or Thessaloniki and covers emergencies such as evacuation between islands.
- SafetyWing Essential is best if you’re on a tighter budget, prefer no deductible outside the U.S., and want extras like lost luggage and trip interruption while exploring Europe.
For Digital Nomad Visa applicants and long-term stays:
- The law requires only emergency coverage, but in practice consulates often expect comprehensive health insurance. Premium plans like Genki Native or Safetywing Complete are safer choices, as they cover both emergencies and non-emergency healthcare such as outpatient visits, medication, and longer hospital stays.
For short-term nomads, Genki Traveler or SafetyWing Essential are affordable and flexible. For Digital Nomad Visa applications or long-term residence, comprehensive plans like Genki Native or SafetyWing Complete provide broader coverage that aligns better with official expectations.
📱 Alongside your health insurance, make sure you stay connected while working remotely. Check out our guide to the best eSIMs in Greece to keep your business and travels running smoothly.
