2025-04-11
Travel Insurance for Greece: What You Need to Know Before You Go.
Are you traveling to Greece and want to know more about travel insurance? Great! You’ve come to the right place.
The truth is that Greece is one of the countries I return to often, as an incredible destination with a combination of ancient history, paradisiacal islands and beaches with turquoise waters that I really like.
But between sightseeing in Athens and hiking remote trails on the islands, I quickly realized the importance of being well protected with travel insurance.
After all, you’re not always near a hospital, everything doesn’t go according to plan, and a small unforeseen event can turn into a major inconvenience if you don’t have insurance.
Is travel insurance compulsory to enter Greece?
It is not compulsory to have travel insurance to enter Greece, either for European or American citizens.
As a member of the European Union, it is sufficient to carry the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), but passport holders from other countries, particularly the USA, Canada and others, are recommended to have good travel insurance,
Also, in the case of European citizens, be aware that the EHIC does not cover everything.
It works for medical care in the public health system, but does not cover expenses at private clinics, trip cancellations, lost luggage, theft or repatriation.
And the truth is, on the smaller Greek islands or in the most touristy places, access to the Greek NHS isn’t always easy, and you can end up in a private clinic paying out of pocket.
That’s why, even within Europe, it makes sense to take out travel insurance with good cover.
Why is travel insurance important?
In short, good travel insurance gives you peace of mind. It ensures that you are protected if something goes wrong, such as sudden health problems or mishaps with flights or luggage.
In Greece, for example, many people choose to rent scooters or do activities at sea. A simple fall or an allergic reaction to shellfish can be enough to require medical attention, and no one wants to deal with that without support.
In addition, there have been reports of thefts in busy areas of Athens or on ferries between islands. And yes, insurance can help in these cases too.
What to do in the event of a medical emergency in Greece?
If you have a medical emergency in Greece, the first step is to contact your insurance company.
I use IATI Travel Insurance, which has 24-hour service and deals directly with healthcare providers, without you having to advance money or deal with bureaucracy.
Another plus point: it has no deductible, which means you don’t have to pay part of the costs yourself.
And there’s also an app with a medical chat, which is very practical for answering quick questions.
👉 Find out about IATI Travel Insurance and get a 5% discount here.
What should travel insurance for Greece include?
When choosing your travel insurance for Greece, check that it includes, for example:
- Medical expenses in public and private hospitals
- Cover for activities such as diving, hiking or motorcycle rental
- Flight delays or cancellations
- Lost, stolen or damaged luggage
- 24-hour assistance
- Repatriation and extension of stay due to illness.
What insurance do I recommend for traveling to Greece?
For trips to Greece, IATI Travel Insurance is an excellent choice. It has adequate medical cover for European destinations, requires no excess, and includes trip cancellation, luggage and full assistance.
If you’re thinking of doing water sports, it’s worth checking out the IATI Backpacker plan, which has cover for more activities.
👉 Get your IATI insurance with a 5% discount here.
Greece is an unforgettable destination and deserves to be explored without worry. That’s why, even though it’s not compulsory, you should always take travel insurance with good cover.
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We are a Family traveling around the world and sharing our journey and experiences at passaportenobolso.com. Here you can find plenty of family budget travel tips as well as practical information about numerous destinations in Europe, Africa, Asia and America. We have visited 40+ countries and we don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. From time to time I travel alone… Follow everything on YouTube / Instagram / Facebook / TikTok / X / Pinterest.
