Telemedicine in Greece: What It Is and How It Works

Telemedicine in Greece lets you speak with a doctor using your phone or tablet, without first having to navigate an unfamiliar local healthcare system. Through a secure video consultation, you can explain your symptoms, receive a medical assessment and understand the appropriate next steps while you are in the country.

What telemedicine means

Telemedicine is the delivery of medical assessment and advice from a distance using digital technology. Instead of travelling to a medical practice, you connect with a doctor through a live video call. The World Health Organization's European office describes it as clinical care delivered remotely, within the wider field of telehealth.

During the consultation, the doctor asks about your symptoms, medical history, current medication and known allergies. You may be asked when the problem began, whether it has changed and how it is affecting you. For a visible symptom, such as a rash, the doctor may ask you to show the affected area using your device's camera.

A video consultation provides real-time communication rather than a simple exchange of written messages. The doctor can ask follow-up questions, clarify the information you provide and explain their assessment in plain language.

Why telemedicine in Greece helps visitors and residents

This is particularly useful when you are visiting Greece, do not know where to find a local doctor or face a language barrier. It gives you a clear way to discuss a health concern without having to understand every part of the Greek healthcare system first.

You can access a private consultation without Greek public health insurance or an AMKA number. This makes the process straightforward for tourists, expatriates and other visitors who need guidance while staying in the country.

What happens during an online consultation

At the appointment time, you join the secure video consultation directly through the mobile app. Choose a quiet, private place with good lighting and a reliable internet connection so that you and the doctor can communicate clearly.

Before the consultation, prepare a list of your medication, allergies and relevant medical conditions. It also helps to know when your symptoms started and whether you have taken measurements such as your temperature. Keep any relevant information from recent test results or photographs available.

The doctor will listen to your concerns and ask questions to complete the medical assessment. They will then explain their clinical opinion and the appropriate next steps based on the information available during the consultation.

When telemedicine in Greece can be useful

An online consultation can provide an initial medical assessment for many common health concerns. Examples include fever, sore throat, cough, allergies, skin rashes, urinary symptoms and mild stomach or bowel problems.

It may also help when you want guidance about a new symptom, need to discuss the progress of an existing problem or cannot easily travel. Each case is considered individually by the doctor, who explains what should happen next.

Parents can also book an appointment for a child in their family. The child must be present during the consultation together with their parent or legal guardian.

When telemedicine is not the right choice

Telemedicine does not replace emergency care. If you experience severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, heavy bleeding, sudden weakness or difficulty speaking, call 112 immediately, or 166 for an ambulance in Greece, or go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.

A video consultation also cannot replace a hands-on physical examination or laboratory and imaging tests. Where these are needed, the doctor will explain this and direct you to the appropriate next step.

Prescriptions and telemedicine in Greece

When clinically appropriate, the doctor can issue an electronic prescription through Greece's national ΣΗΣ system. If you do not have an AMKA number, the doctor can issue a private prescription that can be presented at a Greek pharmacy. Any prescription is issued entirely at the doctor's clinical discretion.

The consultation fee covers the medical assessment itself. Whether a prescription is appropriate is decided by the doctor, based on what emerges during the consultation.

Booking telemedicine in Greece with DocNow

You can arrange your consultation in three steps:

1. Download the DocNow app on your phone or tablet.
2. Create an account or sign in to the app.
3. Choose an available doctor and book your appointment.

At the scheduled time, join the secure video consultation directly through the app. You can book an appointment at any hour, 24 hours a day and seven days a week, from anywhere in Greece, including on remote islands. Doctor availability varies by time of day and is shown in the app at the moment you choose an appointment.

Each consultation costs a flat €20, with no subscription or hidden charges. The fee covers a medical assessment from an independent, licensed Greek doctor. Video consultations take place securely through the app, which is GDPR compliant, and data is stored on infrastructure within the European Union.

The DocNow app is available exclusively for phones and tablets, so you can arrange and attend the consultation using the same device. You can connect from your hotel, holiday accommodation, home or another private location in Greece.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an AMKA number? No. You can book a private consultation without an AMKA number or Greek public health insurance.

What do I need for the consultation? A phone or tablet, a reliable internet connection and a quiet, private place.

How long is a consultation? Each consultation is scheduled for 15 minutes.

Is the consultation available in English? Doctors' language availability is shown when you choose an appointment in the app.

Is my data secure? Consultations take place through the app, which is GDPR compliant, with data stored on infrastructure within the European Union.

Download the DocNow app on your phone or tablet, sign in and book a €20 appointment with an available doctor. Receive a medical assessment through a secure video consultation from wherever you are staying in Greece.

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.