Sick note in Greece online: when a doctor issues one
Medically reviewed by: Dr Nikolas Simon-Kousouris, General / Family Physician
If you are ill and cannot work, you can request a sick note in Greece through DocNow with a written request from your phone, with no appointment and no video call.
How an online sick note works
You send a written request in the app. A licensed Greek doctor reads it, assesses you and decides whether to issue a sick note.
You do not book a slot or wait for a call. The answer comes back in the app.
A written request covers up to 3 days. For longer, you need a video consultation with a doctor.
Getting a sick note in Greece in three steps
- Download the DocNow app and choose sick leave.
- Enter the date you became ill and how many days you need (up to 3), describe your symptoms, and confirm your AMKA or give your passport or ID number.
- Pay €10 in the app. The doctor assesses your request and decides.
If the doctor needs more information, they send you a short question in the app at no extra charge.
You can send a request from anywhere in Greece, including the islands.
Sick notes without an AMKA
You do not need an AMKA. A passport or ID card number is enough to send a request.
If you have an AMKA, a sick note the doctor issues is registered electronically in the official Greek system. If you do not, and the doctor issues a note, it is a private doctor's note.
Once issued, a sick note cannot be changed. Check the start date and number of days before you send the request.
When a written request is enough
A written request suits short, simple illnesses that settle on their own, such as:
- a cold or viral infection
- flu
- a mild sore throat
- gastroenteritis, once the vomiting or diarrhoea has started to settle
- migraine, if you already have a diagnosis and the attack is like your usual ones
For other symptoms, book a video consultation so a doctor can see you before any sick note. This applies, for example, to:
- a urinary tract infection
- back pain
- a severe headache you have not had before
- symptoms that are getting worse or not improving
The service is for adults aged 18 and over.
How many days a sick note covers
A written request covers up to 3 days. The doctor sets the final number based on your symptoms and your work.
A note can cover days you were already ill, if the doctor agrees. It cannot start on a future date.
You can send up to 2 requests in 30 days and up to 6 a year. If a request is declined, you can send a new one after 72 hours.
If you need more than 3 days, or you are not better when the note ends, book a video consultation or see a doctor in person.
What it costs
A sick-note request costs €10, paid by card in the app when you send it. There is no subscription.
If you need more than 3 days, a video consultation costs €20 and is scheduled for 15 minutes.
When you need in-person care
An online sick note is not for emergencies. If you have difficulty breathing, chest pain, a fever above 39°C that will not come down, or confusion, call 166 or 112.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to speak to a doctor? Not necessarily. The doctor assesses your written request and tells you if they need to see you.
Do I need an AMKA? No. A passport or ID card number is enough.
What do I give my employer? The doctor's note. You send it to your employer yourself.
Can the dates be changed after the note is issued? No. Check them before you send the request.
What if I also need medication? Book a video consultation so the doctor can assess you.
If you are ill and need a sick note, download the DocNow app, choose sick leave and describe what is wrong. The doctor will assess your request and explain the appropriate next step, at their clinical discretion.
Response times depend on doctor availability.
The information above is provided exclusively for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice. Please consult your treating doctor to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for your individual needs.
