🚑 Essentials
Emergencies, health and pharmacies
112 for any emergency, in English. Carry your EHIC for public hospitals. For small problems, a Greek pharmacist is usually the fastest help.
Numbers to know
- 112 — the European emergency number: police, ambulance, fire, coast guard. Free from any phone, answered in English. If in doubt, call this one.
- 171 — the Tourist Police line, for complaints, lost documents and help in English (widely published; for an emergency, use 112).
- 166 — ambulance (EKAB).
- 108 — coast guard, for trouble at sea or in a port.
The national numbers above are consistently listed by official and travel sources, but 112 is the one that always works.
Hospitals and the EHIC
EU citizens should carry the European Health Insurance Card. It is valid at public hospitals and health centres of the national system (ESY). It does not cover private clinics, which are common on the islands and are sometimes where a hotel sends guests first. Say you want the public health centre if you intend to use the EHIC.
The EHIC is not travel insurance: it does not pay for repatriation or for a helicopter off a small island. For that you need a travel insurance policy.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are marked by a green cross and Greek pharmacists are well trained and used to tourists — sunburn, jellyfish stings, stomach trouble and ear infections from swimming are routine. Outside normal hours a rota of duty pharmacies stays open; the list is usually posted on every pharmacy's door.
Heat
Summer heatwaves are real and dangerous: drink water constantly, avoid the midday sun, and plan ancient sites for opening time. On extreme days the Acropolis closes between 12:00 and 17:00. More on safety.
Before you go
We may earn a commission from these. It never changes your price.
