Greece has made significant legal and medical progress — PrEP is reimbursed, Mpox vaccination is available, and the Checkpoint network provides excellent, stigma-free care. The context still matters: Greek public healthcare can be conservative, and knowing which doors to walk through — and which to avoid — makes a real difference.
The Three Golden Rules
1. Start at Ath Checkpoint (or Thess Checkpoint)
Ath Checkpoint (athcheckpoint.gr) is the most reliably gay-affirming, experienced, and practical first point of contact for sexual health in Greece. They offer rapid HIV testing, referrals to the right doctors, knowledge of who in the public system is gay-friendly, and support navigating the healthcare system. If you don't know where to start, start here.
2. Know Your AMKA
Your AMKA (Greek social security number) unlocks free PrEP, free EOPYY healthcare, and covered vaccinations. If you live in Greece and don't have one yet, getting one is the single most important administrative task for your healthcare. Without it, you pay privately — which is still possible, but more expensive.
3. Syggros for Emergencies
Andreas Syggros Hospital is the primary public hospital for sexual health emergencies in Athens — PEP, STI treatment requiring specialist care. For everything routine, Ath Checkpoint is better. For emergencies or treatment, Syggros is the destination.
Quick Reference
| What you need | Where to go |
|---|---|
| Rapid HIV test (free, anonymous) | Ath Checkpoint (athcheckpoint.gr) |
| Full STI panel (Athens) | Syggros Hospital — Εξωτερικά Ιατρεία |
| Testing (Thessaloniki) | Thess Checkpoint (thesscheckpoint.gr) |
| PrEP (free, AMKA) | Loimoxiologos at Syggros or Attikon via EOPYY |
| PrEP (private, no AMKA) | ~€30–50/month; Ath Checkpoint for doctor referrals |
| PEP emergency (Athens) | Syggros Hospital or Laiko — Επείγοντα, 24/7 |
| PEP emergency (Thessaloniki) | AHEPA Hospital — Επείγοντα |
| Vaccines (Mpox, Hep B) | Syggros or Attikon — Ath Checkpoint for booking advice |
| DoxyPEP | Loimoxiologos at Syggros — ask explicitly |
| Mental health | Colour Youth (colouryouth.gr), Ath Checkpoint referrals, 10306 crisis |
| Chemsex support | KETHEA (kethea.gr), Ath Checkpoint |
Your Articles — In Detail
Testing
Getting Tested in Greece — Ath Checkpoint (rapid, free, gay-affirming), Thess Checkpoint for Thessaloniki, Syggros for clinical full panels, three-site testing explained, AMKA and costs.
PrEP
PrEP in Greece — Reimbursed via EOPYY with AMKA. Electronic prescription from Loimoxiologos at Syggros or Attikon. EOPYY pharmacy dispensing. Private route ~€30–50/month without AMKA. Ath Checkpoint doctor referrals.
PEP
PEP — Emergency HIV Prevention — Syggros Hospital and Laiko for Athens. AHEPA for Thessaloniki. PAGNI for Crete. 72-hour window. What to say, what happens.
Vaccines
Vaccines in Greece — Mpox free at Syggros for gay and bisexual men. Hep B covered with EOPYY prescription. HPV expensive for adults (~€150/dose). Ath Checkpoint for booking guidance.
Greek Vocabulary
Greek Vocabulary — Key terms in Greek script and phonetic, useful phrases, emergency numbers (112, 166, 10306).
DoxyPEP
DoxyPEP in Greece — Available from aware Loimoxiologos doctors; ask explicitly. Inexpensive. Sun protection note for summer use.
Mental Health
Mental Health Support in Greece — 10306 crisis line, Colour Youth LGBTQ+ support, Ath Checkpoint referrals, Positive Voice for people living with HIV, stigma context.
Chemsex
Chemsex in Greece — GHB, crystal, harm reduction. KETHEA, OKANA, Ath Checkpoint for gay-community-aware support. GHB emergency protocol.
Outside Athens
Sexual Health Outside Athens — Thess Checkpoint and AHEPA (Thessaloniki), PAGNI (Crete/Heraklion), island planning advice, rural access via nearest Νοσοκομείο.
General Education
- How HIV transmission actually works
- PrEP — how it works
- PEP — how it works
- DoxyPEP — the evidence explained
- STI overview — every infection
- Testing protocol — how often and what
- Vaccine guide — all vaccines explained
- Chemsex — harm reduction guide
- GHB/GBL safety
- Mental health and gay men
- The prevention stack
Emergency Contacts
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| Emergency (all) | 112 |
| Ambulance (ΕΚΑΒ) | 166 |
| Police | 100 |
| Mental health crisis | 10306 |
| Ath Checkpoint Athens | athcheckpoint.gr |
| Thess Checkpoint Thessaloniki | thesscheckpoint.gr |
| Syggros Hospital Athens | 210 720 0100 |
| AHEPA Hospital Thessaloniki | 2310 993 111 |
| Positive Voice (living with HIV) | positivevoice.gr |