Athens has the most developed sexual health infrastructure for gay and bisexual men in Greece, but Thessaloniki has its own Checkpoint, and the major regional hospitals can handle PEP emergencies. For tourist areas and islands, planning ahead matters.

Thessaloniki

Greece's second city, with a growing LGBTQ+ community.

Thess Checkpoint

thesscheckpoint.gr | Thessaloniki The Thessaloniki equivalent of Ath Checkpoint. Free, gay-affirming rapid HIV and STI testing. Check their website for current location, hours, and services. The same standard of non-judgemental care as Athens.

AHEPA Hospital — PEP and Clinical Care

Πανεπιστημιακό Νοσοκομείο ΑΧΕΠΑ Stilponos Kyriakidi 1, 546 36 Thessaloniki Phone: 2310 993 111 | ahepa.gr

AHEPA is Thessaloniki's main university hospital. The infectious disease department handles HIV care, PEP initiation, and can facilitate PrEP prescriptions. Go to the emergency department (Επείγοντα) for PEP.

Papageorgiou Hospital — Alternative

Νοσοκομείο Παπαγεωργίου Periferiakos Dromo Thessalonikis-N. Efkarpias, 564 03 Thessaloniki Phone: 2313 323 000

Another large hospital in Thessaloniki with emergency department and infectious disease capabilities.

Crete

University Hospital of Heraklion (PAGNI)

Πανεπιστημιακό Γενικό Νοσοκομείο Ηρακλείου Stavrakia, 715 00 Heraklion, Crete Phone: 2810 392 111 | pagni.gr

The main teaching hospital for Crete. Handles PEP and HIV-related care. Go to the emergency department for urgent access.

Heraklion has a small but established LGBTQ+ community — check current local resources via Athens-based organisations (Colour Youth, Ath Checkpoint) for up-to-date referrals in Crete.

Tourist Islands and Coastal Areas

Greece's islands are a major destination for gay and bisexual travellers, particularly Mykonos and Santorini. Sexual health infrastructure on the islands is very limited.

Key planning advice for island travel:

  • Bring enough PrEP for the entire trip plus buffer days
  • Know where the nearest hospital is — larger islands like Mykonos and Rhodes have hospitals; smaller islands may have only a basic medical centre (Κέντρο Υγείας)
  • For PEP on an island: You may need to be evacuated or transported to the mainland or a larger island. If you have a potential HIV exposure, the 72-hour clock is running — call 166 (EKAB) immediately for guidance on the fastest route to PEP
  • EHIC (EU card): Covers emergency treatment on Greek islands — bring it
  • Pre-trip: Pack more condoms and lube than you expect to need

Mykonos Hospital — Ανώτατο Νοσηλευτικό Ίδρυμα Μυκόνου. Limited capabilities; for serious emergencies, transfer to Athens or Syros.

Rhodes Hospital — Γενικό Νοσοκομείο Ρόδου. Larger island; better capacity but not a specialised HIV centre.

Smaller Cities and Rural Greece

For sexual health in smaller Greek cities or rural areas:

  1. Call Ath Checkpoint (athcheckpoint.gr) — they can advise on the nearest services from anywhere in Greece
  2. Go to the nearest public hospital for PEP — any Γενικό Νοσοκομείο can initiate PEP in an emergency
  3. Private testing — private diagnostic labs exist in most Greek cities; Synlab Greece (synlab.gr) has a national network
  4. Telehealth — some private platforms offer teleconsultation and can provide prescriptions remotely; useful for PrEP management if you're far from a Loimoxiologos

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