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Do you need travel insurance for Greece? Technically, no — Greece doesn't require travel insurance for entry. But should you have it? Yes, strongly recommended.
Here's why: A medical emergency in Greece could cost thousands of euros out of pocket. Medical evacuation back to the US can exceed $100,000. Trip cancellation (missed flights, ferry strikes, illness) can cost you your entire vacation investment. Travel insurance makes all of this someone else's problem.
The cost: Quality Greece travel insurance costs €30–80 for a two-week trip — roughly the price of one nice dinner in Santorini. For that, you get peace of mind and protection against potentially catastrophic expenses.
Best options for most travelers:
- SafetyWing — Best for budget travelers and digital nomads
- World Nomads — Best for adventure travelers
- Allianz — Best for comprehensive coverage
Here's my complete guide to travel insurance for Greece — what you actually need, what you can skip, and which plans offer the best value.
Do You Really Need Travel Insurance for Greece?
Let me be direct: you can skip travel insurance and probably be fine. Most trips to Greece go smoothly. But "probably fine" isn't the same as "protected."
When Travel Insurance Saves You
Medical emergencies: Even in affordable Greece, a hospital stay can cost €500–2,000+ per day. Surgery? €10,000+. Medical evacuation to the US? $50,000–150,000. Travel insurance covers this.
Trip cancellation: Your €4,000 Greece vacation becomes non-refundable flights and pre-paid hotels if you get sick before departure. Insurance reimburses this.
Travel disruption: Ferry strikes (they happen), flight cancellations, volcanic ash clouds (remember 2010?) — insurance covers accommodation and rebooking.
Lost/stolen belongings: Your luggage goes missing. Your camera gets stolen in Athens. Insurance replaces them.
Adventure activities: That sailing trip, the scooter rental, the Samaria Gorge hike — standard travel insurance often excludes these. Specialized coverage protects you.
The Real Risk Calculation
Without insurance:
- You absorb 100% of any financial loss
- A serious incident could cost $10,000–100,000+
- Medical decisions may be affected by cost concerns
With insurance (~€50):
- Someone else absorbs the financial risk
- You can make decisions based on health, not money
- Peace of mind throughout your trip
For most travelers, €50 for peace of mind is worth it.
What Greek Healthcare Is Like
Understanding Greek healthcare helps you understand what insurance you need.
Healthcare Quality
Greek healthcare is good to excellent. Public hospitals meet EU standards, private hospitals offer world-class care, and doctors are well-trained. Many medical professionals speak English, especially in tourist areas.
Public hospitals (ESY): Free or low-cost for emergencies. Can be crowded. Wait times vary. Quality is good but facilities may be older.
Private hospitals: Modern facilities, shorter waits, English-speaking staff. More expensive, but still affordable compared to the US.
Pharmacies: Excellent. Pharmacists can provide many medications without prescription. They're knowledgeable and often the first stop for minor issues.
Healthcare Costs for Tourists
Greece is affordable for healthcare compared to the US:
The key insight: Routine healthcare in Greece is affordable. The catastrophic stuff (serious injury, evacuation, extended hospitalization) is where insurance matters.
Does Your Existing Insurance Cover You?
Before buying travel insurance, check what you already have.
US Health Insurance Abroad
Most US health insurance does NOT cover international travel. Even if your plan mentions international coverage, it's often limited or requires you to pay upfront and seek reimbursement.
Medicare: Does not cover healthcare outside the US.
Some employer plans: May have limited international coverage. Check your policy documents or call your insurer.
The catch: Even if your US insurance offers some coverage, it won't cover trip cancellation, lost luggage, or medical evacuation. Travel insurance fills these gaps.
Credit Card Travel Insurance
Some credit cards include travel insurance when you book with the card:
What cards typically cover:
- Trip cancellation/interruption (limited)
- Lost luggage
- Travel delay
- Rental car damage (some cards)
What cards typically DON'T cover:
- Medical expenses abroad (the big one)
- Medical evacuation
- Adventure activities
- Pre-existing conditions
Cards with decent travel coverage: Chase Sapphire Preferred/Reserve, American Express Platinum, Capital One Venture X.
The verdict: Credit card coverage is better than nothing but usually insufficient. Medical coverage is the gap. Consider it supplementary, not primary protection.
EHIC / GHIC (European Travelers)
If you're an EU/EEA citizen, you already have some coverage:
EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) / GHIC (UK): Entitles you to state-provided healthcare at the same conditions and cost as Greek citizens. This means free or low-cost emergency care at public hospitals.
What EHIC/GHIC covers:
- Emergency treatment at public facilities
- Essential healthcare during your stay
- Same terms as Greek citizens receive
What EHIC/GHIC does NOT cover:
- Private healthcare
- Medical repatriation to your home country
- Trip cancellation
- Lost luggage
- Adventure activities
The verdict for EU travelers: EHIC/GHIC provides a safety net for medical emergencies but doesn't replace travel insurance. It won't bring you home if you break your leg hiking in Crete.
What Travel Insurance Covers
Not all travel insurance is equal. Here's what to look for:
Medical Coverage
What it covers: Doctor visits, hospital stays, surgery, medication, emergency dental.
What to look for: Minimum €100,000 coverage (€250,000+ is better for US travelers given evacuation costs).
Important: Confirm coverage for pre-existing conditions if relevant. Most policies exclude them unless you buy a waiver.
Emergency Evacuation
What it covers: Emergency medical transport — helicopter rescue from a hiking trail, air ambulance between islands, medical repatriation to your home country.
What to look for: Minimum €100,000 coverage. €300,000+ is recommended for US travelers (transatlantic evacuation is expensive).
Why it matters: Evacuation from a Greek island to Athens alone can cost €10,000+. Athens to the US? €50,000–150,000. This coverage is essential.
Trip Cancellation & Interruption
What it covers: Reimbursement if you cancel before departure or cut your trip short due to covered reasons (illness, family emergency, natural disaster, etc.).
What to look for: Coverage equal to your trip cost. Check the list of "covered reasons" — they vary by policy.
Common covered reasons:
- Your illness or injury
- Illness/death of family member
- Natural disaster at destination
- Terrorism at destination
- Job loss (some policies)
- Jury duty/court summons
"Cancel for any reason" (CFAR): Premium add-on that lets you cancel for ANY reason and get partial reimbursement (typically 50–75%). Expensive but offers maximum flexibility.
Travel Delay
What it covers: Accommodation, meals, and essentials if your travel is significantly delayed (usually 6–12 hours).
What to look for: €100–200/day coverage, reasonable delay threshold.
Greece relevance: Ferry strikes and weather delays happen. This coverage helps.
Lost, Stolen, or Delayed Baggage
What it covers: Replacement costs if your luggage is lost/stolen, or essentials if it's delayed.
What to look for: €1,000–2,000 coverage for lost items. Per-item limits (typically €250–500 per item). Delayed baggage provisions.
Fine print: Keep receipts for expensive items. Policies have per-item limits and depreciation calculations.
Adventure Activity Coverage
What it covers: Activities that standard policies exclude — water sports, scooter/ATV riding, hiking, diving.
What to look for: Explicit coverage for activities you're planning.
Greece relevance:
- Scooter/ATV rental: Often excluded. Many tourist injuries in Greece involve scooters. Confirm coverage.
- Water sports: Jet skiing, sailing, snorkeling usually covered. Diving may require add-on.
- Hiking: Usually covered for established trails. Mountaineering/climbing may need add-ons.
- Samaria Gorge hike: Should be covered as hiking, but confirm.
Best Travel Insurance for Greece (2026)
Best for Budget Travelers: SafetyWing
Price: ~€42/month (subscription model — pay only for time traveling)
What's included:
- Medical coverage up to €250,000
- Emergency evacuation
- Trip interruption
- Travel delay
- Lost checked luggage
- Adventure sports coverage (most activities)
Best for: Digital nomads, long-term travelers, budget-conscious travelers, those wanting flexibility.
The catch: No trip cancellation coverage (only interruption). Subscription model means you need to cancel when you return.
Why it works for Greece: Affordable, flexible, covers most adventure activities. Good for extended trips or island-hopping without fixed dates.
Best for Adventure Travelers: World Nomads
Price: ~€70–120 for two weeks (varies by coverage level and activities)
What's included:
- Medical coverage up to €100,000–200,000 (depending on plan)
- Emergency evacuation
- Trip cancellation and interruption
- Travel delay
- Lost/stolen gear
- Extensive adventure activity coverage
- Can buy/extend while traveling
Best for: Adventure travelers, those planning scooter rentals, water sports, hiking.
The catch: More expensive than basic policies. US medical coverage limits may feel low (€100,000 standard).
Why it works for Greece: Excellent adventure coverage. You can add coverage for almost any activity. Popular with backpackers and active travelers.
Best for Comprehensive Coverage: Allianz
Price: ~€80–150 for two weeks (varies by plan)
What's included:
- Medical coverage up to €500,000+
- Emergency evacuation up to €1,000,000
- Trip cancellation/interruption
- Travel delay and missed connections
- Baggage loss/delay
- 24/7 assistance hotline
- Optional "cancel for any reason" add-on
Best for: Travelers wanting comprehensive peace of mind, families, older travelers, expensive trips.
The catch: Most expensive option. More complex policy with more fine print.
Why it works for Greece: High coverage limits suitable for US travelers. Strong reputation and 24/7 support. CFAR option for maximum flexibility.
Quick Comparison
How to Choose Your Coverage
For a Standard Beach Vacation
You need: Medical coverage, evacuation, trip cancellation, basic baggage.
Recommended: Allianz or comparable comprehensive policy. SafetyWing if budget is tight.
For Island-Hopping with Adventure Activities
You need: All the above PLUS explicit adventure coverage for scooters, water sports, hiking.
Recommended: World Nomads. Confirm scooter coverage specifically if you're planning to rent.
For a Honeymoon or Special Occasion Trip
You need: Comprehensive coverage including "cancel for any reason" (CFAR).
Recommended: Allianz with CFAR add-on. The extra cost is worth it when you've invested significantly in a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
For Digital Nomads / Extended Stay
You need: Flexible monthly coverage, medical, evacuation.
Recommended: SafetyWing. The subscription model works perfectly for open-ended travel.
For Families
You need: Coverage for all family members, potentially higher medical limits, kid-friendly policies.
Recommended: Allianz family plans. Check age limits and per-person vs. family coverage structures.
Tips for Buying Travel Insurance
Buy early. Trip cancellation coverage only works for events AFTER you buy the policy. Buy as soon as you book your trip.
Read the fine print. Understand what's covered and what's excluded. "Covered reasons" for cancellation vary widely.
Declare pre-existing conditions. If you have ongoing health issues, look for policies that cover pre-existing conditions (often requires buying within 14–21 days of initial trip deposit).
Check adventure activity coverage. If you're planning to rent a scooter, go diving, or do anything beyond standard tourism, confirm it's covered.
Keep documentation. Save receipts, photos of valuables, medical records. Claims require documentation.
Carry policy details while traveling. Have your policy number, emergency contact numbers, and coverage summary accessible (phone + paper backup).
Making a Claim
If something goes wrong:
1. Contact your insurer immediately. Most have 24/7 emergency lines. Call before making major decisions (especially medical).
2. Document everything. Photos, receipts, police reports (for theft), medical records. Claims require proof.
3. Get required reports. Theft requires police report. Lost luggage requires airline documentation.
4. Keep receipts. For emergency expenses, medical care, accommodation due to delays.
5. File promptly. Most policies require claims within 30–90 days of the incident.
FAQ
Is travel insurance required for Greece?
No, travel insurance is not required to enter Greece — unlike some countries that mandate coverage. However, it's strongly recommended. Greek healthcare is good but medical emergencies can still cost thousands, and evacuation to your home country (especially the US) can cost €50,000–150,000. Trip cancellation, lost luggage, and travel delays can also be expensive without coverage. For approximately €50–100 per trip, travel insurance provides significant peace of mind and financial protection.
Does EHIC/GHIC cover me in Greece?
Yes, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) provides coverage for necessary state-provided healthcare in Greece at the same cost as Greek citizens — meaning emergency treatment at public hospitals is free or low-cost. However, EHIC/GHIC does NOT cover: private hospital treatment, medical repatriation to your home country, trip cancellation, lost luggage, or adventure activities. EU/UK travelers should still consider travel insurance for comprehensive coverage, especially for evacuation and non-medical travel problems.
Does travel insurance cover scooter accidents in Greece?
It depends on the policy. Many standard travel insurance policies exclude motorized vehicles including scooters and ATVs — which is significant because scooter rentals are extremely popular on Greek islands and account for many tourist injuries. Before renting a scooter in Greece, confirm your travel insurance explicitly covers it. World Nomads includes scooter coverage in their adventure sports. SafetyWing covers motorcycles/scooters under 125cc if you have proper licensing. Always check policy documents and consider the rental company's insurance options as backup.