Can the uninsured get free healthcare?
Conditional: yes, the uninsured get free healthcare — but from 1.11.2025 an active AMKA is needed. The basis is Art. 33 of Law 4368/2016: equal, free access to public hospitals, diagnostics and medicines. New (from 1.11.2025): the AMKA must be active — inactive ones are reactivated at KEP/EFKA. The economically weak/vulnerable have zero co-payment on medicines (income limit ~€6,000/year single, +€1,200 per dependent); others pay the standard co-pay (~25%). PAAYPA is a temporary number for asylum seekers. Emergencies are covered for everyone. In short: yes, with an active AMKA.
📋 The rules
- Free access to ESY + medicines (Law 4368/2016)
- From 1.11.2025: an active AMKA is required
- Vulnerable: zero co-payment on medicines
- Zero-co-pay income limit: ~€6,000/year (single)
- Emergencies: covered for everyone
🔓 Exceptions
- Minors, pregnant women, disabled/chronically ill: full free access
- PAAYPA: a temporary asylum-seeker number (not permanent)
- Emergency care: for anyone, regardless of status
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There's no "fine" — the issue is access to care. Without an active AMKA (from 1.11.2025) the main categories' access is blocked until reactivation. Beware a myth: "the uninsured are excluded from healthcare" — wrong; the reform added the active-AMKA condition, but emergencies and vulnerable groups (minors, pregnant women, disabled) stay covered. To get access: make sure your AMKA is active (otherwise reactivate it at KEP/EFKA), and if you're economically weak, document your income for zero co-pay on medicines. In an emergency, go straight to hospital — emergency care isn't refused to anyone.
📎 Official sources
- Law 4368/2016 (Art. 33) — the uninsured →
- Ministry of Health — access for the uninsured →
- gov.gr — PAAYPA / AMKA →
❓ Frequently asked
Can an uninsured person be hospitalised for free?
Yes. Under Art. 33 of Law 4368/2016, the uninsured have equal, free access to public hospitals, diagnostic tests and medicines. From 1 November 2025, though, an active AMKA is required for the main categories, while emergencies are covered for everyone.
Do I need an AMKA for healthcare?
Yes, an active AMKA from 1 November 2025. If your AMKA is inactive, you must reactivate it at a KEP or EFKA. Without an active AMKA, the main categories' access to routine care is blocked, although emergencies remain accessible.
Do I pay for medicines?
It depends. Economically weak and vulnerable uninsured people have zero co-payment on medicines, with an income limit of about €6,000 a year for a single person, plus €1,200 per dependent. Others pay the standard co-pay, around 25%.
Are the uninsured excluded from healthcare?
No. It's a myth that the uninsured are excluded. The reform added the active-AMKA condition but doesn't abolish free care. Emergencies and vulnerable groups, such as minors, pregnant women and disabled people, keep full free access.
What is PAAYPA?
It's the temporary insurance and healthcare number for foreigners, given to asylum seekers. It converts to an AMKA if asylum is granted and is deactivated if rejected. It's not a permanent number, but it serves access to healthcare during the procedure.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “uninsured healthcare amka”
- “uninsured free hospital”
- “law 4368/2016 uninsured”
- “active amka healthcare”
- “zero co-payment medicines”
- “paaypa asylum seeker”