In 2014 legislation was issued in an attempt to extend coverage to all uninsured Greek citizens and legal residents. However, the uninsured could claim free inpatient healthcare only if they could prove that they could not afford it and other bureaucratic procedures created barriers to access. In addition, the uninsured were still required to pay the same copayments for pharmaceuticals as the insured population, with negative effects for those in difficult economic situations. See Health Policy Update: The uncertain effectiveness of efforts to increase the accessibility of health care services (published 1/26/2015).
In an effort to do away with these barriers, the new government has recently abolished these measures and replaced them with new provisions. According to the new legislation, uninsured Greeks, expatriates, citizens of European Union Member States and of third countries, legally and permanently residing in Greece, who do not fulfill conditions for health coverage, as well as specific categories of people who do not have residency papers (such as pregnant women, refugees and minors) will be able to receive public health care and medicines without having to contribute to their cost from 1 June 2016.
The free cover includes clinical and diagnostic tests, hospital treatment, prenatal care, rehabilitation, transfer abroad for specialist treatment and the handing out of medicines and other consumables. Any individual earning less than EUR 2,400 per year will not have to pay anything for medicines or health care. This threshold rises for families, depending on the number of children they have. The National Health Services Organization (EOPYY), will be responsible for covering the cost of the free medical care.
Legislation
Joint Ministerial Decision A3(g)/GP/oik. 25132/2016, “Regulations to ensure access of the uninsured to the Public Health System”, Official Government Gazette, Issue B, No 908 / 4-4-2016.
Law 4368/2016, “Measures to speed up government work and other provisions”, Official Government Gazette, Issue A, No 21 / 21-2-2016.