Greece recorded a sharp increase in applications for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in 2025, with more than 538,800 cards issued, according to official data from the country’s social security authority.
The card provides insured citizens with access to medically necessary and emergency healthcare during temporary stays in European Union countries, as well as in Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Treatment is offered under the same conditions and costs that apply to residents of each respective country.
What the card covers—and what it doesn’t
The EHIC is issued free of charge to individuals who have active insurance coverage. However, authorities stress that it does not replace travel insurance and comes with important limitations.
It does not cover private healthcare services or costs such as repatriation flights, lost property, or expenses incurred when traveling specifically for medical treatment. In addition, healthcare services that are free in one country may not be free in another, as national systems vary.
How to apply
Applications are submitted online through the official platform of Greece’s social security services or via the government portal, using personal tax identification credentials.
Applicants can request the card either for themselves or for dependent family members. After submitting the application, users can print a temporary certificate, while the physical card is delivered by post.
Alternatively, applications can also be processed through citizen service centers across the country.
Rising demand
The surge in applications highlights growing awareness among travelers of the need for basic healthcare coverage while abroad. Officials note that the card is intended for short-term stays and does not apply to those relocating permanently, who must instead register with local healthcare systems in their new country of residence.
