Greece is one of those countries that became a refuge for Ukrainian refugees after the start of a full-scale war. For some it is a transit point on the way to Portugal or Italy, for others it is a new home where life starts from scratch. But regardless of the status or purpose of a Ukrainian who finds himself in Greece, one condition remains unchanged: the presence of a valid insurance policy. It’s about a vital necessity — from emergency medical care to psychological support and covering the costs of hospitalization or transportation. We consider insurance as an element of the security of Ukrainian refugees: who needs a policy, what are the conditions for various visas, what help can you really get, and why taking out a policy in Ukraine is not just a profitable, but a smart step.
Who must have insurance to enter Greece
Medical insurance is mandatory for Ukrainians who do not have a biometric passport or plan to stay in Greece for more than 90 days. It is necessary to apply for a Schengen visa (type C) or a national visa (type D), which provides access to employment, study or family reunification. What’s more, having an insurance policy with coverage of at least 30,000 euros is a standard requirement for Schengen countries, and Greece is no exception.
However, even in cases where a visa is not required, and a Ukrainian uses the regime of temporary protection, the presence of insurance remains strongly recommended. This is a matter of responsibility and caution. The Greek medical system does not provide automatic free care for all foreigners, and emergency care without a policy can be very expensive.
Insurance
The insurance policy required for entry into Greece must meet clearly defined criteria, regulated both by Greek law and by the general rules of Schengen countries. First of all, the insurance must provide for a minimum amount of coverage of at least 30,000 euros. This is not a formality, but a practical necessity: such an amount should guarantee the compensation of expenses in case of serious illness, injury or emergency medical intervention.
Another prerequisite is geographical coverage. The insurance policy should not be limited only to Greece – it should be valid throughout the entire Schengen area. This is especially important for Ukrainians traveling in transit or considering other EU countries as a possible place of temporary or permanent residence.
The validity period of the policy is also important: it must cover the entire period of stay in the Schengen area. In the case of short-term trips, this should be the entire period specified in the visa. For long-term – the period until the moment of registration of local health insurance, for example, by obtaining an AMKA number in Greece.
The policy should cover the most important risks, including hospitalization, emergency medical care, emergency evacuation to a hospital or to another country, and repatriation of the body in case of death. This provides a basic level of protection and avoids high costs in critical situations.
The deductible, that is, the part of the costs paid by the insured person, should not be high either. It is desirable that the policy was without a deductible at all or had a symbolic one – no more than 100 euros. This allows you to use medical assistance without significant out-of-pocket expenses, even for minor incidents.
Finally, special attention is paid to the insurance company itself. It must have a valid license, be accredited within the European Union and be recognized as a reliable partner. This guarantees that in the event of an insured event, the payment will be real, and the interaction with the insurer will be predictable and efficient.
Who needs insurance?
According to Greek law, the requirement to have health insurance for entry into the country depends on the individual’s nationality, visa category, reason for entry and expected length of stay. For citizens of Ukraine who are not residents of the EU or the Schengen zone, insurance is mandatory in the event of:
- obtaining a Schengen visa type C;
- obtaining a national visa type D (long-term stay, employment, study, family reunification);
- submitting an application for a residence permit.
At the same time, persons who already have a residence permit, are registered in the Greek health care system or have a valid AMKA number, may not formally issue additional medical insurance for entry. But for persons under temporary protection at the initial stage, such insurance is highly desirable to avoid interruptions in access to medical care.
Medical care of Ukrainian refugees
Citizens of Ukraine who apply for refugee status or are under temporary protection receive an AMKA number — an individual identifier in the social insurance system. This opens up access to the state health care system (ESY), that is, allows you to use medical services on equal terms with the citizens of the country — from a family doctor to hospitalization and obtaining prescription drugs. But until the moment of its registration, and this process can take a long time, the only guarantee of medical safety remains the insurance policy.
In addition, Greece provides emergency medical care to all persons regardless of documentation or insurance. This means that in case of an acute situation (heart attack, injury, sudden illness), Ukrainians will not be denied treatment. But systemic assistance, including specialist consultations, tests or long-term treatment, is only possible with AMKA or a policy.
Psychosocial support is a separate block. In the conditions of war, loss of home and family ties, many Ukrainians need not only medical, but also psychological help. Non-governmental organizations play an important role here: Doctors Without Borders, Red Cross, UNHCR. They provide assistance in the camps, translation, psychosocial support, information and assistance with paperwork.
Car insurance
For those Ukrainians who arrive in Greece in their own car, an international insurance certificate “Green Card” is mandatory. It is impossible to cross the border by car without it. Such insurance covers damages caused to other road users in the event of an accident. The policy must be valid in the country of destination (Greece) and have a validity period corresponding to the period of stay.
If a Green Card has not been obtained in advance, it will have to be purchased at the border, but this is usually more expensive and involves the risk of delays. Therefore, it is also worth taking out car insurance from Ukraine – through digital platforms or directly from proven insurance companies.
Why is it better to take out insurance in Ukraine
Issuing a policy already on the territory of Greece, although possible, has a number of significant disadvantages:
- Limitation of action — usually only within the borders of Greece, which is unacceptable in the case of transit or trips within the Schengen zone.
2. Cost — insurance abroad is more expensive than similar insurance in Ukraine.
3. Language barrier — difficulties in understanding the terms of the contract, restrictions, payment procedure.
4. Bureaucracy — registration in a foreign jurisdiction can make it difficult to receive payments.
Instead, Ukrainian companies have a deep understanding of the specifics of the trip, offer insurance packages specifically for Ukrainians, allow you to issue a policy online and specify the details — taking into account the status, purpose of the trip and the period. For example, the Visit Ukraine platform offers both travel and full health insurance with the option of choosing the level of coverage and the validity period, including for refugees.
Cost and benefits of Ukrainian insurance
Policies for short-term trips start from UAH 250-400 per week, for long-term visas – from UAH 1,000 per month. Compared to European insurance programs, it is much more profitable, especially considering the economic situation. In addition, the conclusion of the contract in Ukrainian, the ability to contact the operator, a transparent compensation procedure – make these policies much more attractive.
By taking out insurance through a Ukrainian company, you also support the domestic economy, which is an important component of solidarity during war.
Therefore, for Ukrainian refugees in Greece, insurance is a protective barrier against systemic risks in the country, as well as a guarantee of access to medical care, support in a critical situation and calm adaptation to new conditions. Do not wait for a problem – issue a policy in Ukraine, weighing all factors: visa, term, purpose of stay, availability of AMKA and transport. In difficult times, it is better to have an insurance document than to hope for an accident.
