In this article you will read about:
- Medical Tourism in Greece
- Hospitals in Greece
- Top Medical Procedures in Greece
- IVF in Greece
- Is Greece Safe?
Why Greece for Medical Tourism?
Greece is one of the most popular tourist destinations worldwide. The country’s extraordinary attributes, history, culture, regular magnificence, large number of islands, uncommon biodiversity, gentle environment, and Mediterranean gastronomy.
As surveyed by the Travel and Competitiveness Report, areas of strength for the country’s health travel market incorporate well-being and cleanliness.
Greece is considered a safe travel destination, and the beauty of the country’s landscape and plenty of sunshine, therapeutic natural springs, and unique Mediterranean cuisine make the country a choice spot for many medical travelers.
Healthcare in Greece
Healthcare in Greece is generally considered high quality, comparable to most other European countries, especially in terms of offered procedures. However, certain areas warrant improvement.
Private clinics and hospitals in Greece usually showcase modern, sterile, and professional environments. On the contrary, public hospitals might appear older and less contemporary. Greece’s healthcare structure combines both public and private avenues. The unified EFKA system ensures free healthcare for all, including expatriates.
A glance at past rankings indicates Greece’s position at 27th in the 2020 World Index of Healthcare Innovation, notably with a dip in the Quality category. Further, a 2014 study revealed that only a quarter of Greek respondents deemed their country’s hospital care quality as satisfactory.
While the healthcare system in Greece is lauded for its quality, it’s essential to recognize the disparity between public and private facilities in terms of infrastructure and appearance.
Key Challenges in Greek Healthcare:
- Continuity of Care: The Greek system grapples with offering continuous, coordinated patient care. Such gaps can lead to disjointed services and inefficiencies in managing long-term conditions.
- Overemphasis on Curative Services: Greece leans heavily towards curative services, sidelining preventive measures. This not only escalates healthcare costs but also pivots the focus away from fostering overall health.
- Neglected Preventive Measures: The system faces criticism for its inadequate attention to preventive healthcare. A limited focus here can cause preventable diseases to rise, placing further strain on the healthcare structure.
- Regional Disparities: Healthcare quality and accessibility can differ across Greece. Challenges surrounding decentralization and consistent quality and access have been observed. Such gaps can result in unequal healthcare outcomes for various populations.
- Economic Strains: The economic downturn has financially strained Greece’s healthcare system. Reduced public healthcare expenditures have birthed potential inequalities and unmet healthcare necessities, especially for the more vulnerable.
Addressing these multifaceted challenges necessitates extensive reforms and specific actions, pivotal for enhancing the overall quality and efficiency of the Greek healthcare system.
Hospital Accreditation in Greece
The Greek healthcare sector is highly regulated by the central government. There is extensive legislation controlling the activities of third-party payers and providers of services. Greece has also incorporated into national legislation the EU directives concerning professional qualifications of health personnel, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and voluntary health insurance.
In addition, the health care cost is the lowest among the European Union countries. The Greek Health Care System is a mixed system, with various social insurance funds coexisting with the National Health System. Health care in Greece is provided through national health insurance, although private health care is also an option. Public health services are provided by the National Healthcare Service or ESY.
Popular Medical Procedures for Tourists in Greece
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Greece has become a sought-after destination for IVF treatments due to its high success rates combined with affordable pricing.
See Hospitals and Clinics offering Fertility Treatment in Greece
Plastic Surgery: The country offers a wide array of plastic and cosmetic surgeries, including rhinoplasty and breast augmentation, often at prices more competitive than in many other countries. Breast lift procedures begin at $9,000 USD, while tummy tuck procedures start at €3,000.
Ophthalmology: Advanced eye care services in Greece cater to a variety of conditions, with vision correction procedures such as LASIK being particularly popular among medical tourists. The average cost of cataract surgery in Greece is $1,702. For Contoura Vision surgery, prices in Greece vary from around €1,200 (approximately $1,500) to €1,800 (approximately $2,200). Read more about Ophthalmology.
Dentistry: Whether it’s general dentistry, cosmetic procedures, or dental implants, Greece’s dental care stands out in terms of quality and cost. The pricing for all-on-4 dental implants in Greece commences at $6,000 per arch. In Athens, the cost of dental implants generally spans between 1,000 to 2,000 Euros, covering both placement and restoration. Root canal treatment and filling may cost approximately $129, while inlay or onlay restoration might come to around $162.
Rehabilitation: Those seeking physical therapy or post-surgery rehabilitation often find Greece’s facilities and expertise appealing. Physiotherapy treatment costs in Greece typically vary between €25 and €50 per session.
Renal Dialysis: The widespread availability of dialysis centers across Greece makes it a preferred choice for patients needing regular renal dialysis treatments.
Overall, Greece’s blend of top-notch medical expertise and competitive pricing has positioned it as a significant hub for medical tourism.
In Vitro Fertilization in Greece
Greece is a popular destination for IVF treatment. There are at least 50 IVF facilities in Greece conveyed around the country. Patients travel from abroad for egg donations and embryo donation and, similar to the Czech Republic and Spain, cheap airlines fly to numerous areas in Greece making travel simple and modest.
IVF treatment in one of the country’s clinics is very affordable. A single cycle of in vitro fertilization with own eggs costs around 3,000 and 3,500 EUR.
By law, certain blood tests for infectious diseases have to be undertaken before the donor is allowed to donate. These are Hepatitis B and C, HIV, and syphilis. However, most clinics will go beyond these tests and perform other tests recommended by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). These include karyotyping (analyzing the chromosome structure of cells) and chlamydia testing, for example.
Most IVF clinics also ensure that the donors are screened psychologically to ensure that they understand the consequences of donating and assess their motivation to do so. Information relating to height, weight, hair color, eye color, skin tone, blood group, and education is available to recipients. This information is usually available early on in the donation process.
Couples undergoing any assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures in Greece must be screened for infectious diseases Hepatitis B and C, HIV, and syphilis. This includes recipients of egg donations. These tests must have been done within a year of the start of treatment.
Discover Reproductive System Specialty, follow our detailed IVF Treatment Step By Step Guide, and compare IVF Prices in Different Countries for informed medical choices.
Is Greece Safe?
Greece is a very safe country to travel to. Tourists are unlikely to experience any crime or violence. The only concern is a petty crime on the streets, but your trip should go smoothly if you apply the basic precaution measures.
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