The decree issued last October by Greek health ministry separates patients into two categories: Greeks and foreigners. This health care scheme separating patients in two classes will charge foreigners receiving treatment in public hospitals with double prices and thus for the same service received by the Greeks.
According to the controversial decree, the daily fees in public hospitals should be calculated with another rate for citizens from EU-member states and third-country nationals. The rate factor is 2.09 for the prices indicated in the national health care system price list.
This will end up, that foreigners from EU or third countries without permanent residence permit will pay double prices for the same health care services Greeks receive.
Several doctors unions but also migrants and refugees organizations appealed to Supreme Court asking for the cancellation of the decree for violating the Greek Constitution, the Convention of Human Rights and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. The court decision is due. (zougla.gr)
PS I heard, the government was planning to promote ‘medical tourism’. Apparently they didn’t have it in mind when they signed this decree. Did they?
Isn’t this totally illegal in the EU?!
Has to be illegal uner EU law.
Thanks you for keeping us informed on this one, KTG.
that’s why they have appealed to supreme court. Only after all local legal menas have been exhausted, one can apply to european courts of human rights etc.
Thanks for the update, KTG. I’m not sure what “medical tourism” is, though. Surely it doesn’t mean the government is going to promote the idea of outsiders coming into Greece for medical care! That would be a hoot given all that’s happened in the past year!
this is it. however the patients form abroad pay by themselves or via their insurance funds.