For decades, hospitals in Greece have been praised for their quality of care. However, the healthcare system is notorious for corruption, lack of funding and mismanagement.
In an attempt to streamline the system and fight corruption, the Greek government has introduced universal social security numbers and electronic prescriptions and has also channelled resources to Greece's larger hospitals.
Many Greeks and expats alike take out private health insurance, which appears to be more comprehensive and cost-effective than their public healthcare scheme.
Despite Greece's less-than-ideal reputation for healthcare, public hospitals in Greece are still generally adequate and there are still professionals who do their best to deliver quality care. The biggest downside is long waiting periods in order to receive care.
While some hospitals in more remote locations on islands may provide a lower standard of healthcare, the best public hospitals – usually concentrated in the major cities – offer care of a high standard. It is often the case that expats who require more sophisticated care than island hospitals can provide will be transported to a hospital in Athens or Thessaloniki.