The Athens Medical Association (ISA) and the Greek Health Tourism Council (Elitour) are spearheading efforts to establish a new type of visa that would make it easier for international patients to travel to Greece for medical care. The proposed “Medi Visa” is expected to strengthen the country’s position as a global health, wellness, and longevity destination.

ISA President Giorgos Patoulis, who also chairs Elitour, presented the idea during talks with Migration Minister Thanos Plevris this week. He argued that such a visa would not only simplify travel procedures for foreign patients but also open new economic prospects by linking healthcare with wellness and silver tourism.

The goal, he explained, is to facilitate the movement of international patients from non-Schengen countries who wish to travel to Greece for healthcare services. “Today, many applications are cancelled or delayed, leading patients to choose other destinations. A medical visa would fill this gap, making Greece a more attractive option.”

Patoulis has also discussed the proposal with Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis and Foreign Affairs Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, underlining the government’s growing interest in developing Greece into a leading health and wellness hub.

If adopted, the Medi Visa could pave the way for Greece to capture a larger share of international patients seeking everything from elective surgeries and fertility treatments to wellness retreats and retirement-friendly healthcare.