It was the day before my first-ever surgery, and the doctor still hadn’t confirmed what time the procedure would be. I was growing increasingly anxious, but the medical staff seemed completely unbothered by the lack of specificity. They eventually told me to arrive the next morning at 7:00 a.m. for a 9:00 a.m. procedure.
What I learned later was that this kind of vagueness reflects a fundamental cultural difference in how medicine works in Greece. Doctors direct the process, and in my experience, they are more likely to be viewed as the unquestioned experts. They’re generally trusted implicitly, and patients aren’t expected to push back with questions or demand detailed explanations. I’ve even heard of cases where the doctor doesn’t give the patient the full diagnosis, but instead shares it with a family member who decides how the information gets disseminated. In my experience with the U.S. healthcare system, it’s more of a partnership with the doctor, and patients are encouraged to advocate for full information, multiple options and specific answers. In Greece, I found the general assumption was that the doctor knows best.
I quickly learned that if I didn’t ask questions, I often didn’t get the information I needed. This played out at nearly every stage of my experience. Here’s what I encountered and what I learned.
Get Your Free Greece Report Today!
Get Your Free Greece Report Today!
Learn more about a slower pace of life in Greece and other countries in our free daily postcard e-letter. Simply enter your email address below and we'll also send you a FREE REPORT — Retire in Greece—Find Your Dream Retirement in This European Archipelago.
By submitting your email address, you will receive a free subscription to IL Postcards, The Untourist Daily and special offers from International Living and our affiliates. You can unsubscribe at any time, and we encourage you to read more about our Privacy Policy.
Health Insurance and Medical Care Basics
As a quick overview, Greece offers socialized medicine, so if you have an emergency while in Greece, regardless of your citizenship, visa, or residency status, a Greek public hospital will provide your medical care free of charge. The situation doesn’t need to be life-threatening, but it does need to be roughly the equivalent of what would require an emergency room visit in the U.S.
For people living in Greece seeking routine healthcare, the picture is more complex. There is both private and public insurance, but most expats choose private insurance to ensure access to modern facilities and shorter wait times. In my case, I had private insurance through a Greek health insurance provider. During a routine checkup, doctors found something worth biopsying, and surgery was scheduled. Below are my top tips based on that experience.
The Testing Revealed the Decentralized System
I went for a routine checkup, and they found something worth investigating. But when the testing clinic handed me the results, that was it. There was no explanation of what they meant and no instruction to send them to my doctor.
I had to use Google Translate to figure out whether something was actually wrong. Even then, I couldn’t understand the results. Only after I contacted my doctor did he explain they had found something and needed to refer me to a specialist. He was surprised no one at the testing clinic had informed me. Then he shook his head and said this was standard in Greece.
Tip #1: Overcommunicate With Your Doctors
Don’t assume anyone will coordinate your care or connect the dots for you. Ask direct questions and confirm what your results mean. If you aren’t sure, send everything to your primary doctor. The responsibility for getting information into the right hands falls on you.
ONLINE EVENT: How to Stay in Europe Visa-Free For 1-Year!
Did you know Americans are staying in Europe for as long as they like thanks to the new 'Euro Hopper Pass'? Discover that and more on July 22 at The European Living Seminar with IL's top Europe experts.
Seats are expected to fill up fast! RSVP Today.
Carrying Your Medical History (in Your Hands)
When I saw the specialist, he asked for my original test results. I was shocked because I assumed everything was electronically linked. It wasn’t. Greece operates on a paper-based, decentralized system, and if information isn’t physically in front of the relevant doctor, they probably don’t have it.
In the U.S., I don’t think I had ever touched one of my medical records. In Greece, everything—X-rays, MRI results and test reports—is handed to you. It’s your job to get it to your doctor.
Tip #2: Get a Binder and Bring All Your Test Results to Every Appointment
Through my American eyes, this seemed kind of crazy, but I recommend getting a physical binder, keeping everything in it and bringing it to every appointment. Things aren’t centralized, and you’re responsible for making sure the right information reaches the right person.
The Insurance Catch
The specialist ordered an MRI. Despite having health insurance, I was told I’d have to pay out of pocket and get reimbursed. I’m still waiting, four months later, for that reimbursement. But the real shock came after the MRI. The specialist determined I needed exploratory surgery, but my insurance would only cover it if it took place within 30 days of the MRI. I already had travel planned during that window. This wasn’t a guideline or a suggestion. It was a hard deadline.
Tip #3: Keep Your Insurance Broker Updated Every Step of the Way
Insurance companies in Greece may operate with strict timelines, so it’s important to understand those deadlines and exactly what your policy covers. My broker explained everything and guided me through the process. In the end, I was able to meet the deadline, and the surgery was fully covered. There was, however, a moment of panic as I tried to get appointments booked in time. She also told me that had I paid out of pocket, the surgery would have cost thousands of euros.
The surgery itself went smoothly. The medical care in Greece can be world-class, and I’ve found it easy to find doctors who speak fluent English. The facilities were modern, and everything was efficiently managed.
But another difference was pointed out to me by an American friend.
“How did you get home?” he asked.
“I was planning to take a taxi or have a friend pick me up, but I felt fine, so I took the metro,” I replied.
He laughed and told me that, because of liability concerns, he was pretty sure that wouldn’t have been allowed in the U.S.
My Surgery and What Came After
Looking back, what would have made the experience far less stressful was understanding how the Greek healthcare system operates.
When I was anxious the day before surgery and the staff seemed unconcerned about giving me a specific timeline, I didn’t understand the cultural difference behind it. It reflected a healthcare system where doctors are trusted to direct the process. But that also meant important information often wasn’t volunteered unless I asked. I had to ask questions.
That simple shift in mindset made all the difference. Once I understood that I was responsible for asking questions, carrying my records, tracking my insurance deadlines, and staying on top of my own care, the experience stopped feeling chaotic. The Greek healthcare system delivers excellent care. But it requires you to be an active, informed participant in a way the U.S. healthcare system might not.
If you’re planning surgery in Greece, show up prepared. Ask questions, keep copies of your records, and understand your insurance requirements. Once you know how the system works, you can focus on getting well instead of wondering why no one is telling you what’s happening.
SPECIAL EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT $200 OFF
