Information guide for international students, not individual legal, tax or medical advice. Check requirements, amounts and procedures with the competent source before acting.
Operational framework
In Greece, citizenship, duration, course and work determine different procedures. For an Italian the path starts from an EU registration certificate with the competent police authority for stays over three months, with registration, resources and coverage; for a non-EU citizen from a national visa and residence permit for study according to the Migration Code. The sections separate the cases and indicate tests and risks.
TEAM
Rule:Temporary EU student uses TEAM for care needed in the public under local conditions.
What to do:Bring valid card and repatriation/private currency.
Operational verification:Link the rule to the current source, your category, and dated proof; note the deadline and competent authority.
Full coverage
Rule:Under EU law, students need adequate insurance; TEAM may be suitable depending on the situation.
What to do:Confirmation with Italian body and Greek authority.
Operational verification:Check identity, complete document, territory and receipt. Don’t rely on verbal confirmation.
Work
Rule:Those who work normally enter the e-EFKA system and use AMKA.
What to do:Check registration and insurance capacity.
Operational verification:Enter the passage in the calendar with cost, deadline and alternative plan in case of delay.
Extra-EU
Rule:The permit requires compliant insurance.
What to do:Check duration, limits and access.
Operational verification:Review the point when your course, major, duration, job or insurance changes.
Access
Rule:EOPYY, public structures and affiliated providers have different channels.
What to do:Ask for referrals and costs.
Operational verification:Link the rule to the current source, your category, and dated proof; note the deadline and competent authority.
Emergencies
Rule:112 coordinates emergencies; 166 is EKAB ambulance.
What to do:Use the appropriate number.
Operational verification:Check identity, complete document, territory and receipt. Don’t rely on verbal confirmation.
Medicines
Rule:Prescription and reimbursement depend on AMKA/status.
What to do:Bring active ingredient and letter.
Operational verification:Enter the passage in the calendar with cost, deadline and alternative plan in case of delay.
Heat
Rule:Heat waves and fires are real health risks.
What to do:Follow Civil Protection and local instructions.
Operational verification:Review the point when your course, major, duration, job or insurance changes.
Health record for the transfer
Prepare a summary in English with diagnoses, interventions, allergies, vaccines, medications by active ingredient/dose and doctor’s contact details. Bring prescriptions and allowable quantities in original packaging. Keep an encrypted copy and an essential version accessible in an emergency. For ongoing therapies, identify a GP and book before stocks run out.
Contact insurer in advance for pre-existing conditions, waiting periods and pre-authorisation. Ask for written responses with policy clause and claim number. A business letter from the provider does not replace wording. If a treatment is important, check the doctor, facility, medication, diagnostics and follow-up separately.
Ask for a healthcare quote
Describe the service and codes, ask for provider fees, insurer benefits, excess and annual maximum. “Covered” can mean partial refund. For scheduled procedures obtain informed financial consent. Check if referrals expire and if each specialist bills separately. Store invoices, receipts, referrals and reports.
Don’t put off an emergency because of the cost. Use the national number when it exists for non-urgent triage; in danger call emergency. After stabilization contact insurance. If an invoice is unmanageable, ask for itemisation, correction, payment plan and patient advocate instead of ignoring it.
Continuity and privacy
Choose a stable GP when possible and authorize record transfer. Please communicate if you prefer an interpreter; Don’t use a roommate for intimate information when a professional service is available. Ask how data is shared with the university, insurer or family. The educational provider must know only what is needed for accommodations or emergencies.
Personal emergency plan
Save emergency number, nurse line, insurer, campus security and trusted person. Record address and coordinates. Keep essential medications, allergy list and power bank. For mental health agree signals, contacts and safe place. Review the plan after moving house, phone or policy.
Coverage pathway
EHIC covers medically necessary public care during a temporary stay, not private care, repatriation or planned treatment. For EU registration, comprehensive cover is required; confirm whether EHIC, S1, employment coverage or a private policy fits the real residence situation. A declared job may create e-EFKA/EOPYY rights, but verify insurance capacity rather than relying on AMKA alone. Non-EU students must keep the visa/permit policy continuous and check exclusions. Call 112 or 166 for emergencies and keep referrals, prescriptions, itemised invoices and claims.
Official sources
Verified: 2026-08-22.