Travel insurance for Greece

Australia and Greece don’t have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement,² so if you need medical assistance while in Greece, you’ll have to foot the bill yourself – unless you have travel insurance. Medical evacuation or repatriation back to Australia can be extremely expensive, especially if you’re in a rural area or on an island. It’s a good idea to consider a travel insurance policy to cover overseas emergency medical expenses.

Petty crime, theft and pick-pocketing are unfortunately common in tourist areas, particularly in central Athens and on the islands.¹ Having a travel insurance policy with cover for stolen belongings means you may be financially protected if these things happen.

Your policy can cover your personal possessions, such as valuables, credit cards, luggage, cash and travel documents (e.g. passports).

Depending on your level of travel insurance cover, you can be protected against the costs associated with delayed flights or cancellations, with a policy that reimburses you for accommodation bookings if your connecting flight is cancelled.

Your travel insurance cover may help protect you against legal expenses if your actions leave you at fault for injury to a person or their belongings or if you cause their death. However, if you were acting recklessly or illegally, your claim will be rejected, and you may need to take certain steps before your claim would be covered.

Greece has been known to experience natural disasters such as bushfires, earthquakes and more.¹ It’s important to check what cover for natural disasters is included in your policy, so you can avoid getting caught out in the event you need to make a claim.

If you’re taking a cruise around the islands, it’s a good idea to consider adding cruise cover to your policy. If you take a cruise without this add-on, you likely won’t be covered for cruise-related losses by your regular travel insurance.

If you plan to participate in activities such as sailing, scuba diving, snorkelling or other water-based sports, check what activities will be covered by your insurance and consider adding adventure activity cover. You can check exactly which activities you may be covered for in your policy’s PDS.

Greece is a relatively safe country to visit, but it’s always good to remain cautious when travelling abroad. There is still a risk of petty theft, especially on public transport to and from the airport and in popular tourist areas.

If you’re cruising around the Mediterranean to different Greek islands, don’t accept drinks from strangers or leave yours unattended, as drinking spiking has been known to occur.

You should regularly check the Smartraveller website before departure and while overseas to stay aware of travel advice. As Greece has been known to experience natural disasters, a policy that includes natural disaster cover is worth considering.

You typically won’t need a visa for touring Greece. Since Greece is a Schengen country, Australians can enjoy visa-free travel to Greece for 90 days. However, if you leave the Schengen Area and return within 180 days, you won’t get another 90 visa-free days.¹

You may need a visa if you’re travelling for purposes other than tourism or business, and you will still need a valid passport to enter Greece. Greece’s entry requirements can change, so be sure to check with the Embassy of Greece in Australia before you go.

From October 2025, the new European Entry/Exit System (EES) will come into effect if you’re from a non-EU country.¹ This new security system means on your first visit to the EU after the EES begins, Schengen countries will take either your photograph or your fingerprint upon entry and exit to the country.

The cost of your travel insurance for Greece will depend on multiple different factors, many involving your individual circumstances. These may include:

• Your age (and the ages of anyone else on the policy)
• The number of travellers on the policy
• Any pre-existing medical conditions for all travellers
• How long you are travelling for
• What level of cover you want
• If you want optional extras (e.g. adventure cover)
• Which travel insurance provider you choose.

You’ll typically need to complete a quote to understand the exact cost of your travel insurance. Thankfully, our online travel insurance service means you can get multiple quotes in minutes. You can compare different providers and levels of cover and search for one that matches your budget and your trip needs.