Hospital Treatment Abroad Approved by EOPYY — Planned or Emergency (Form S2 for EU/EEA/Switzerland)

Under Articles 29-32 of the Single Health Benefits Regulation (EKPY, ΕΚΠΥ; Government Gazette (FEK) B' 2106/02.05.2025), EOPYY (National Organisation for the Provision of Health Services) approves hospital treatment in EU Member States and other countries, by decision of its Board or its Governor after a reasoned opinion from the competent health body, when the insured person: (a) has a serious illness that cannot be treated in Greece; (b) has a serious illness that is not treated in Greece in time, putting their health at risk; (c) leaves urgently for abroad without prior approval, because immediate treatment is needed; (d) is temporarily in a country inside or outside the EU and suddenly falls ill and is admitted to hospital; (e) needs a tissue or organ transplant that cannot be carried out in Greece or within the critical time. Cases a, b and e need prior approval; for c and d approval can be given afterwards. In public or university hospitals in the EU/EEA/Switzerland, treatment is covered with the European forms (S2 for planned treatment); for a sudden illness within the EU/EEA/Switzerland the European Health Insurance Card applies. Treatment in a private clinic within the EU is approved only in an immediate and urgent need, with a 20% co-payment (10% for children up to 16); in a private clinic outside the EU the co-payment is 10%. Planned treatment outside the EU is approved when the case cannot be treated in an EU country; if it can be treated in the EU but you choose another country, EOPYY covers only 20% of the costs. Besides the hospital treatment, the following can be reimbursed: return tickets for the patient, for any necessary companion and for the donor in a transplant (cheapest class), transfer from the airport to the hospital in another city, and accommodation costs of up to €50 and meal costs of up to €30 a day for each of them; in very exceptional cases also a wheelchair or stretcher on the aircraft, an ambulance, a special aircraft, an accompanying doctor or nurse, and oxygen. For a sudden illness outside the EU, travel costs and accommodation/meal costs are not paid.