Greece Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in greece, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Healthcare
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Overview

Greece has a universal healthcare system which allows for citizens to seek care through both public and private outlets. The country has 263 public and private hospitals and 44,093 hospital beds. The 2025 budget for health expenditure, which totals $29.7 billion USD and represents 10.7 percent of the total budget, focuses on early diagnosis and prevention, particularly breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, cardiovascular diseases and childhood obesity. Further funding is going towards building and upgrading 157 health centers and 80 hospitals. $255 million USD is also budgeted for the digital transformation of the healthcare sector. The government remains focused on hiring 6,000 new positions and increasing doctors’ salaries by ten percent to encourage retention in the public healthcare system.

Health expenditure in Greece totals 9.9 percent of GDP, lower than the Western European average of 11 percent. Public expenditure accounts for 61 percent of the total. Public expenditure is expected to shrink slightly to around 60 percent of total health expenditure by 2028. Private expenditure will see a more substantial increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4 percent by 2028, driven in part by an increase in the uptake of private health insurance as the population ages.

Greece has the fourth highest median population age in the European Union as well as declining birthrates. The 65+ population will continue to grow, driving demand for increased healthcare and social support services. The burden of chronic diseases is also increasing, with cardiac diseases being the number one cause of mortality in the country.

The Mitsotakis administration has enacted an ambitious set of healthcare reforms, with many aimed at ensuring access to equitable healthcare given that rural and island communities lack the same level of healthcare coverage as urban cities like Athens and Thessaloniki. The private sector holds a healthy share of the market, with a high number of small clinics providing wider access.  

Pharmaceuticals

Greece’s pharmaceutical market is expected to grow from $9 billion USD in 2024 to $10.3 billion USD by 2029. The country’s per capita expenditure on pharmaceuticals is among the highest in the Central and Eastern Europe region, totaling $873 USD in 2023.

Despite the improving outlook for Greece’s pharmaceutical market, there are significant structural issues that must be addressed to maintain sustainable market growth over the long term. Market expenditure remains well below pre-financial crisis levels. Although government policy has introduced measures to offset pharmaceutical expenditure clawback (the amount pharmaceutical companies have to return to the state when public spending on drugs exceeds the budget) with R&D and investment expenses, current policies continue to hamper the sector, with drugmakers burdened by increasing rebates as public medicine expenditure ceilings fall while demand continues to rise.  Innovative products pay greater clawback amounts, in some cases up to 75 percent of the final product price. The Greek government has committed to reducing clawbacks in compliance with European Union requirements under the Recovery and Resilience Facility Plan. Significant changes are necessary to secure the entry of new innovative medicines into the market. 
 
The government is expected to continue to rationalize pharmaceutical spending by setting price ceilings on patented drugs in order to promote the use of more cost-effective generic medicines. Greece’s pharmaceutical industry makes up around one-third of the country’s chemicals industry, both in terms of the number of employees and production units and in terms of value added, sales and investment. The industry employs around 21,200 people and is dominated by 30 firms that control around 80 percent of the local market in volume terms. Vianex, Lavipharm, Demo, ELPEN and Kleva Pharmaceuticals are the leading Greek players in terms of domestic sales. Major multinationals are also present and account for about two-thirds of the market in value terms. Major multinationals with a presence in Greece include GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Pfizer, Sanofi, AstraZeneca, Novartis, Merck & Co., Pharmaserve Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Janssen-Cilag.
 

Medical Devices and Diagnostics

Greece’s medical device market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.8 percent to reach $1.5 billion by 2028. The medical devices sector is limited by complexities in the reimbursement process, clawback, and delays in certifications. As domestic producers do not have the manufacturing capability for high-valued medical equipment, over 80 percent of these products are imported. 

The U.S. ranks sixth in market share, following Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Italy and France. Major U.S. firms include General Electric, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, among others. Mainland China is the leading supplier outside the EU, with significant market penetration by Mindray and United Health Imaging. Medical devices must be approved by the European Commission before they can be marketed in Greece. In addition, the National Organization for Healthcare Provision (EOPYY) has its own medical devices approval register. Firms are required to work with local partners to help navigate both the EU and local requirements or establish a local branch in the country. 

Opportunities

Government Projects: European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility funds have designated $1.69 billion to the Greek healthcare system with expected procurements to occur in both the pharmaceutical and medical device categories. Entities interested in such opportunities are advised to work with a local partner to navigate the government’s tender process and comply with requirements. For information on upcoming projects please see the tenders and contracts published by the Ministry of Health.

Private Sector Projects: Several non-profit organizations and private hospitals are developing healthcare infrastructure projects which are propelling medical device purchases. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) supports a series of infrastructure and education projects to improve the health sector in Greece, and for active procurements please click here. For more information visit SNF projects. The Onassis Foundation has undertaken the ONTRC, a state-of-the-art construction project valued at $110 million USD and equipped with cutting-edge technology worth more than $35 million. As the country sees new investments in the hospital sector to improve Greek’s healthcare capacity and quality, we expect new opportunities for U.S. firms to partner on project management or provide medical equipment. 

Health ICT: The strong need to digitize the healthcare system is providing opportunities to implement smart and connected technologies, including the implementation of electronic health records (EHRs) and harmonization of healthcare systems. Approximately $2.35 billion USD has been allocated to the digitalization of health care and the focus of digital implementation will remain on setting up a strong base. Greater uptake of electronic health records (EHRs) and harmonization of healthcare systems across Greece will set the scene for increased digitalization of the country’s healthcare system over the coming decade. Greece participates in the EU’s cross border exchange of eHealth data which will present opportunities for U.S. technology and skills. Details on public sector tender opportunities, visit Health ICT public sector.

  • National Digital Health Record System (MyHealth): A major recent development is the official launch of Greece’s National Digital Health Record System, “MyHealth” (citizen.ehealthrecord.gov.gr for citizens and doctor.ehealthrecord.gov.gr for professionals). This platform aims to centralize and digitize medical data, including diagnoses, prescriptions, test results, and hospitalizations, enhancing access for both patients and healthcare providers. It also integrates AI tools to assist users and streamline data management.
     
  • E-prescribing: Greece has made significant strides in e-prescribing, becoming one of the first countries to introduce this system.
     
  • Telemedicine: Telemedicine has seen increased adoption, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to bridge service gaps in remote areas and on islands. Telemedicine consultations have reportedly grown by 20 percent year-over-year.
     
  • Government Commitment: The Greek government, through the Ministry of Digital Governance and the Ministry of Health, is actively pushing for digital transformation.
     
  • Digital Upskilling: Initiatives are in place to train citizens in digital technologies, including healthcare-related aspects.
     
  • Unified National Health Insurance Fund (EOPYY): This centralized fund plays a crucial role in purchasing public health services and is involved in digital development through GRNET.
     

Precision Medicine and Genomics Programs: Greece is making substantial strides in precision medicine therapies, leveraging national networks, participating in international collaborations, and investing in research, infrastructure, and education to integrate personalized approaches into its healthcare system. Key initiatives include:

  • National Thalassemia Prevention Program: This long-standing program has significantly reduced the incidence of thalassemia, a frequent genetic disorder in Greece, through diagnosis and clinical management.
     
  • European Genomic Data Infrastructure (GDI) and “1 Million Genomes” Project: Greece is actively participating in this large European research network, contributing genomic data.
     
  • BeginNGS Greece: This pilot program, in partnership with Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine and PlumCare RWE, aims to use rapid whole genome sequencing to screen newborns for approximately 400 treatable genetic diseases.
  • The Genome of Greece (GoGreece) Initiative: Launched in 2010, this long-term national genomics project facilitates the implementation of genomic medicine in Greece, with samples from over 20,000 people collected and 600 individuals sequenced as of 2025. It also focuses on developing a knowledge base of Greek genetic heterogeneity, addressing ethical/legal issues, and promoting genomics education.
     
  • EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition) – Greece: This Europe-wide study investigates the effect of diet, nutritional status, lifestyle, and environment on cancer and other chronic diseases, with Greek participants contributing valuable data.
     

Precision Medicine, BioBanks and Genomics Infrastructure 

  • Hellenic Network of Biobanks (BBMRI-GR): The national node of BBMRI-ERIC (Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure - European Research Infrastructure Consortium) covers a wide spectrum of diseases, including: neurodegenerative, cancer, hematological, lung disorders, and rare diseases. This network is based in the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens.
     
  • Greek Research Infrastructure for Personalized Medicine: This infrastructure is driving increased activity in operating accredited biobanks and clinical data collection.
     
  • Greek Genome Center (GGC): Operating under the BRFAA, the GGC provides state-of-the-art genomic sequencing technologies, and is implicitly connected to biobanking efforts.
     
  • Biobank of Rare Malignant Neoplasms: Established within the Hellenic Network of Precision Medicine on Cancer, this pilot biobank focuses on collecting, processing, and storing rare malignant neoplasm samples with associated data. This initiative aims to strengthen clinical and research studies in oncology.
     
  • Private/Family Cord Blood Banks: Greece has seen significant growth in private/family umbilical cord blood (UCB) banking, driven by the desire for biological insurance against future illnesses.

Resources

  • The Greek National Organization for Medicines (EOF) is the national competent authority for regulating pharmaceuticals. medical devices, blood and tissue products, and more. Medical trade is duty-free within the EU. Import duties are collected from production coming from non-EU countries.
  • Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Companie
  • Pharma Innovation Forum
  • Association of Health – Research and Biotechnology Industry
  • American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce Pharmaceutical Committee  
  • American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce Medical Devices Committe
  • As a member of the European Union Greece’s legislation concerning medical devices complies with EU directives.
  • Intellectual property (IP) regulations in Greece are harmonized with EU procedures.

To learn more please contact Commercial Specialist Mary Simopoulou at Mary.Simopoulou@trade.gov.