Legal status and visa requirements for those who were forced to leave Ukraine
General information and legal support within Greece
- Holders of a Ukrainian passport with biometric features can enter from all points of entry (land and air) with a maximum stay of 90 days.
- Holders of a Ukrainian passport, without biometric features (old type), can enter from all points of entry with a visa required with a maximum stay of 90 days.
- Attention: for the above cases, the Hellenic Police will stamp the passport with an entry date.
- Ukrainian citizens, who do not have travel documents, can enter only from the Passport Control Department of Promachonas (Greek-Bulgarian border), where they will be issued a relevant document by the staff of the Ukrainian embassy in Greece. With this procedure, they have the possibility of a maximum stay of 90 days.
- In case their children do not have travel documents, Greek Police officers will note, under the entry stamp in their parents’ passport, the number of minor children that they accompany. Important: in this case, they will have to present a certificate of marital status or the birth certificate of their children. If they do not have any of these documents, they must complete and file an official legal declaration with the number of children, their name, surname, sex, and date of birth.
Refugee status/ asylum seeker status/ temporary protection status
- Within 90 days, Ukrainians will be provided, by the Asylum Service of the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum, temporary protection of one (1) year with the right of access to the labour market and medical care in accordance with Directive 2001/55 of the Council of the European Union.
- The temporary protection procedure is provided free of charge by the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum. In particular, free interpretation assistance is provided at the helpdesk and during the complete registration, to be granted the Temporary Protection Residence Permit [ADDP] to the beneficiary, who lists/provides VAT and AMKA (Social Security Registry number for their medical treatment) at the same time.
Learn more about staying in Greece:
- migration.gov.gr
- Help Desk for the Ukrainian refugees: 0030 213 169600 (Greek, English & Ukrainian language)
- Passport Control Department of Promachonas: 0030-23230 41079
- Process of providing temporary protection, contact either by phone at: +302131629600 or by email at: ukraine@migration.gov.gr
- Ukrainian Embassy: SOS line greece.mfa.gov.ua (+30) 6932 765 606
Access to healthcare services
- According to the Greek Ministry of Health, all Ukrainian citizens who were forced to flee their country of origin due to the war, are part of the uninsured – vulnerable social groups, and have the right of free access to the National Health System, entitled to nursing and medical care, according to a circular of the Ministry of Health. Ministry of Health (www.moh.gov.gr) Circular Ministerial Decision: 17033/22-03-2022
- Ukrainians that have entered Greece have the right to any medical services or medications they need, free of charge at a hospital that is on duty daily.
- According to the current legislation, all public medical sectors are obliged to provide persons medical first aid support in case of emergency, even if they do not have P.A.A.Y.P.A. (temporary number of social insurance and medical care for a foreigner) or Social Security Number (AMKA).
Where can the Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine go for healthcare services?
- According to the Ministerial Circular, Ukrainians receive the same treatment the Greeks or other civilians receive the moment they ask for it.
- The hospital care is provided by the Greek State, in all the Hospitals, Public or Private Nursing Institutions, the Mental Health Units, and all the public primary care service units of the National Health System, as well as the Municipal Clinics and Clinics. Social Care of the Ministry of Labour & Social Affairs, by the doctors of the aforementioned bodies, will prescribe therapy and perform the required therapeutic operations and diagnostic tests.
- The medical care is provided by the contracted National Organization for Health Care Services Provision (EOPYY). This includes private pharmacies, after the prescription of the doctors according, to the existing provisions. High-cost medicines, which fall within the framework of par. 2 of article 12 of law 3816/2010 (A ‘6), are provided exclusively by the pharmacies of the Hospitals and the EOPYY.
- The Ministry of Migration provides a temporary registration insurance number, called P.A.A.Y.P.A. About a month after a Ukrainian person gets refugee status and a residency permit, their P.A.A.Y.P.A. is not valid. People are entitled to get AMKA instead, and they can get AMKA by going to the citizens’ service centre that is closest to their residence. These are known as KEP offices (ΚΕΠ). You can find the closest KEP office by accessing the portal here (www.gov.gr)
- You can also get AMKA from the AMKA offices listed here (www.amka.gr)
- Without AMKA or P.A.A.Y.P.A. according to the circular of the Ministry of Health, the Ukrainian patients, until they obtain AMKA as third-country nationals, have direct access to hospitals and Health Centres, by showing their passport or if they do not have one, the relevant document of the Greek Police that has already been given to them.
The general information on medical care for Ukrainian refugees in Greece is available on the website: www.moh.gov.gr
Other services
- COVID-19 Vaccination: www.emvolio.gov.gr
- The National Organization of Public Health (EODY): www.eody.gov.gr
- METADRASI covers the ever-increasing emergency needs for interpretation in hospitals throughout Greece, mainly voluntarily, through specially trained and certified interpreters. More common service in-hospital care cases. www.metadrasi.org
Services for People Living with HIV
HIV-testing
- Rapid tests for HIV and hepatitis C are available free of charge at the Checkpoint Prevention and Examination Centres. This is done confidentially, and the specialized staff is also available to provide counselling including sexual health counselling. Service available in Athens and Thessaloniki.
- SOS line 1135
- EODY (National Public Health Organisation) www.eody.gov.gr
Athens tel: 210-5212000, 210-521-2127/2133, 210-7239945, 210-7222222
Thessaloniki tel: 2310-229139 / 2310-243363 - “Checkpoints” in Athens and Thessaloniki www.mycheckpoint.gr
Athens tel: 210 33 10 400
Thessaloniki: 2310 282 284
Useful links:
Antiretroviral treatment (ART)
- People on ART are eligible for free of charge ART, as soon as they receive the temporary or the permanent AMKA (social security number).
- People who use drugs are encouraged to seek help related to drug use (e.g. therapy, detoxification programs, support) while on ART as this can help improve treatment outcomes.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
- All Ukrainians who have been forced to flee Ukraine have the right to PEP free of charge.
- PEP is granted in the context of an emergency and is covered by insurance funds.
- There is no minimum age to receive HIV post-exposure prophylaxis.
- PEP in Greece is issued only by the pharmacies of public hospitals, following a standardized procedure. The majority of public hospitals in Greece can manage cases of possible exposure to HIV. However, some regional hospitals in the province may not have the necessary laboratory equipment for the necessary tests, as well as the as antiretrovirals.
- In case of possible exposure, it is suggested to contact EODY (2105212000 – 24-hour operation daily and weekends, 2105212131-132 during working days and hours, 210 7222222 on working days 9:00-20:00) for directions to the nearest on-duty hospital that can provide PEP.
Services for People Living with Hepatitis B or C
Hepatitis B or C testing, hepatitis B vaccination, and hepatitis B or C treatment availability
- The treatment is available, as far as the Ukrainians who are forced to leave Ukraine have received the temporary or the permanent social security number for health protection. It is free of charge.
- The National Organisation for Public Health is in charge of the vaccinations. www.eody.gov.gr
- Information in Russian: www.eody.gov.gr/png
Tuberculosis services
- For people with special health issues, EODY (National Organization for Public Health) is the contact point for further support.
- Once a person receives the temporary or permanent AMKA, according to the Greek law on health care for Ukrainians, health care is provided by the Greek State; in all the Hospitals, NPDD, NPID Nursing Institutions, Mental Health Units; public primary care service units of the National Health System; as well as the Municipal Clinics and Social Care of the Ministry of Labour & Social Affairs. The doctors of the aforementioned bodies will prescribe drugs and perform the required therapeutic operations and diagnostic tests.
- Anyone who comes into contact with a suspected or confirmed case of TB should tell their doctor immediately and get tested (Mantoux skin reaction and chest x-ray). If the person has symptoms such as coughing, a sputum test may be requested.
- If the person is infected, but does not have active disease, then it is recommended to go to the doctor at regular intervals for re-examination. In some cases, chemoprophylaxis may be recommended. If the person is found to be ill, then they should start anti-tuberculosis treatment.
Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination for children
In Greece, BCG is included in the National Vaccination Program and is administered at the age of 6 years. It protects against tuberculosis in about 50% of those who are vaccinated, and protects against a very high percentage of severe forms of the disease. Once they receive the temporary or permanent AMKA, according to the Greek law on health care for Ukrainians, health care is provided by the Greek State, usually by EODY or all contracted paediatricians.
Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) Services
Medication rules
- People entering Greece (including Ukrainians) can bring their take-home dosage into the country if they bring with them an official document with information on the opiate substitute they are carrying.
- The prescription is desirable. Every person commencing OAT should have previously been assessed by a doctor and other healthcare professionals. To receive a prescription, an official document by the therapeutic program a person is attending in Ukraine, with information on the OAT that was received is needed.
- To receive OAT free of charge, it is necessary to present both an identification document and an application to be granted refugee status.
- Take-home dosages are available.
What OAT drugs are available in the country?
Methadone, buprenorphine, and buprenorphine with naloxone
Minimum age for people who use drugs to receive OAT
Minimum age for people who use drugs to receive OAT in the country is 20 years.
Sources
General requirements and access to healthcare
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07. Leaflet “AMKA offices list”
Leaflet “AMKA offices list”
www.amka.gr.pdf
HIV
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02. Leaflet “Εργαστήρια Αναφοράς & Ελέγχου HIV/AIDS”
Leaflet “Εργαστήρια Αναφοράς & Ελέγχου HIV/AIDS”
eody.gov.gr/pdf
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04. Database “Infectious Diseases Units (IDUs) and HIV testing sites”
Database “Infectious Diseases Units (IDUs) and HIV testing sites”. Published on the website of National Public Health Organization. Excel
eody.gov.gr/xlsx