Access to the health care system
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The Competent Reception Authority, in cooperation with the relevant State bodies, international organisations and certified social bodies as appropriate, should ensure that asylum seekers are provided with material reception conditions, through national, European or other resources, as well as primary healthcare and mental health support services within camps in the mainland and Reception and Identification Centers (RICs) on the islands.
Material reception conditions can be provided in kind or in the form of financial assistance and provide applicants with an adequate standard of living. The same standard of living should be ensured in closed detention centres. Particular care should be taken in the case of vulnerable people.
In order for the asylum seekers to have access to health services, the labour market and social security, they are issued with a Temporary Security and Health Care Number, (TSHCN – Π.Α.Α.Υ.Π.Α.). TSHCN remains active throughout the examination of the application for international protection. If the asylum application is rejected, TSHCN is automatically deactivated and the recipient ceases access to the above services.
Beneficiaries of international protection have access to the National Healthcare System under the conditions applicable to Greek citizens. They can apply for a Social Security Number which entitles them to free of charge access to necessary health, pharmaceutical and hospital care, including necessary psychiatric care where appropriate.
Moreover, according to the Greek legislation, adequate medical care, including treatment for mental and intellectual disability, should be provided to beneficiaries of international protection with special needs, and in particular pregnant women, people with a disability, people who have been subjected to torture, rape or other serious forms of psychological, physical or sexual violence or minors who have been victims of any form of treatment, neglect, torture, cruelty, inhuman or degrading treatment, or suffering from armed conflict.
In spite of the above legal framework mentioned, actual access to health care services is hindered in practice by significant shortages of resources and capacity for both foreigners and the local population, as a result of the austerity policies followed in Greece, as well as the lack of adequate cultural mediators.1 As noted by UNHCR, “Staffing shortages have created a large backlog and lengthy delays in medical and psychosocial screening in the reception centres which subsequently overburdens the timely completion of the vulnerability screening – an integral part of the asylum procedure.”2
Many municipalities have Medical Centres where refugees and asylum seekers (with or without a Social Security Number) can access specific medical services. In addition, many NGOs operate medical centres and polyclinics that offer various medical services including vaccinations to asylum seekers and refugees in Greece.
Refugee.Info Greece, maintained a list/map, last updated in July 2019, of organisations offering medical services. Since August 2019, the Refugee.Info Greece content is no longer being updated but the list /map of organisations mentioned above gives a good insight on what is offered regarding medical services for refugees and asylum seekers in Greece. Another list of NGOs providing medical services can be found here: https://www.saferefugees.info/speciality/medical
For medical emergencies requiring immediate and urgent medical attention, the medical services at the Emergency Department of a hospital should be accessed.
Find out which hospital has an emergency department on duty and on which days here: https://www.vrisko.gr/en/hospital-duties
Telephone number for National Ambulance Emergency Center (EKAB): 166
- To book an appointment at a public hospital, the applicant should call the national line 1535 and follow the instructions (Greek-English) or call directly a specific hospital.
- To book an appointment at a medical center of National Primary Health Care Network (Π.Ε.Δ.Υ.) the applicant should use the national line 14900 and follow the instructions.
Τhe Social Security Number of the applicant is necessary. Arranging an appointment at a public facility, usually take between a few weeks to a few months.
Search the web and locate an NGO or other organisation in your area that offers free medical services for refugees and migrants.