As defined by the current regime in Greece, under the provisions of Law 4251/2014 and Ministerial Decision 53821/2014 (Government Gazette 2962/04-11-2014/B), every third-country national who enters or legally resides in the country is required to have full health insurance (with a private insurance provider) in order to be granted or renew his/her residence permit.
The certificate of insurance or the insurance policy presented to the competent authority must necessarily cover the insured person for hospitalisation costs, medical expenses resulting from illness or accident, permanent total and permanent partial disability, and loss of life.
The minimum covered capital requirements, for this state-mandated health insurance are as described below.
However, a person can further enhance their health insurance if they so desire or demand more.
Therefore, if upgraded covered capitals or additional benefits exist in the health insurance, they are to be accepted by the state representative in charge of the task of identifying and approving the residence permit in Greece.
What a foreigners' health insurance plan must include:
- Broad Hospital Coverage, with a maximum 20% participation of the insured person and covered benefits of at least €10,000 per year.
- Medical expenses due to illness or accident with a maximum 20% participation of the insured person and covered benefits of at least €1,500 per year.
- Permanent Total Disability due to accident, with a maximum 20% participation of the insured person and covered benefits of at least €15,000 per year.
- Permanent Partial Disability due to accident, with a maximum 20% participation of the insured person and covered benefits of at least €10,000 per year.
- Death due to accident or illness
Who is the residence permit health insurance intended for?
The private insurance plans for foreigners are intended for:
- Third-country nationals who wish to issue or renew their residence permit in Greece and have no other health insurance coverage.
- Foreigners who do not need a residence permit but do not have any insurance and wish to be covered in public hospitals in the country.
- Uninsured citizens who seek hospitalization coverage in public hospitals in the country.
Frequently asked questions:
What are the necessary documents I need for my insurance?
The necessary documents required are a photocopy of the passport, and some other demographic and personal details that are necessary to be included in the health insurance application form.
Which companies provide the residence permit insurance product?
In the local insurance market there are several companies that insure people so that they can obtain their residence permit. For example, there is Intersalonica, Interlife, Interasco, Atlantic Union, Minetta etc.
Are the costs on these products the same?
In these products, for which the common required coverage is specified, there is a variety of prices that can be found.
In addition, some insurance companies offer the option of upgraded health insurance packages to those who require health insurance for a residence permit.
Are the terms of the contracts in all insurance companies the same?
No, the conditions for the residence permit health insurance are not the same.
Usually, what is asked for is only the cost.
However, the specialized in this product health insurance broker must state the differences, both due to the legislation that has to be followed (needs form) and because the professional knowledge and ethics dictate this, in order to accommodate people, who, on top of everything, have difficulty with the language.