In short
- Every refugee and asylum seeker has the right to free public health care.
- Medical emergency: call 166 or 112.
- Asylum seekers: PAAYPA (on your card). Recognised refugees: AMKA.
In an emergency
- 166Ambulance (EKAB)24/7, free
- 112European emergency numberServices can find your location
- 210 779 3777Poison control centre24/7, in Greek
Otherwise go to the emergency department of the hospital on duty that day. The list changes every day (vrisko.gr, in Greek).
Booking an appointment
Public hospitals
With an AMKA or PAAYPA, call the national line 1535 (Greek and English), or call the hospital directly.
Primary health care centres
Call 14900. Neighbourhood TOMY centres and many municipal medical centres also see refugees.
Without AMKA or PAAYPA
In a reception centre, see the on-site medical team. In an apartment, contact a medical NGO (list below).
Good to know
Public appointments can take from a few weeks to a few months. If your condition gets worse, do not wait: go to the emergency department.
Medicines and pharmacies
- With an active AMKA or PAAYPA and an electronic prescription, you can go to any pharmacy (free or low-cost medicines).
- Without an active AMKA, a paper prescription from a public hospital doctor lets you get the medicines for free at that hospital’s pharmacy.
Vaccines, pregnancy and children
- Vaccines: public hospitals and health centres (with AMKA/PAAYPA), mother-and-child centres, and the polyclinics of Doctors of the World and the Hellenic Red Cross.
- The child’s health (vaccination) booklet is the most important document for school enrolment.
- After a birth, register the child at the registry office within 10 days.
- HIV information and testing (EODY, Greek and English): 210 72 22 222.
NGO medical centres in Athens
- 210 321 3150Doctors of the World
- 210 520 0500Doctors Without Borders (MSF)
- 210 821 3704PRAKSIS
- 210 361 3848Hellenic Red Cross
- 210 677 2500SolidarityNow
For psychological support, see the mental health guide.
