Health Conditions in Greece
Greece has socialized medicine than other place in Europe so health care is inexpensive and readily available.
There are three kinds of medical facilities in Greece:
The large cities have the largest and best equipped hospitals, while smaller city hospitals are adequate for medical emergency situations.
Smaller towns and villages have medical centers adequate for advice and first aid in case of medical emergencies.
Medical Emergency Service in Greece
Pharmacies in Greece would also be able to provide first aid for simple health matters, and would give competent advice. Pharmacies in Greece are recognized through a ‘Green Cross’ emblem and they are open during normal business hours. (8:00am to 1:00pm and 5:00pm to 8:30pm).
If you need medicine during the night or weekends you can find which pharmacy is open by checking the schedule which is posted on every pharmacy door.
In order to get help in Greece during a Medical Emergency you can call one of the following numbers which respond at all hours and in all languages:
Police in Athens (general) 100
Tourist Police (010) 171
Ambulance 166
Road Assistance (010) 171
Fire 199
Health Insurance in Greece
When you plan to travel to Greece it is advised to take out medical health travel insurance in case of any medical emergency.
Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required for those who travel and arriving from infected areas.
Bird flu was detected in swans in northern Greece in February 2006, but stringent measures have been taken to contain the outbreak; no human health infections have been reported.
The risk to people who travel to Europe and in Greece is very low but visitors who travel to Greece are advised to avoid any contact with caged, wild or domestic birds, and to ensure that all poultry and egg dishes are well cooked as a precaution.
In Greece food and water are safe, but those who travel to Greece for short periods should consider sticking to bottled water.
Vaccinations for Travelers to Greece
There are no specific health risks in Europe and in particular in Greece, but when you plan to travel to Greece and plan to walk through forested areas are advised to consider vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis.
