Greece legislated PrEP reimbursement through EOPYY (the national health insurance organisation), making it officially free for people with Greek social security coverage. Navigating the system requires knowing the right route — public hospital infectious disease specialists are the key, and community Checkpoints can help you find the right doctors.

The Short Version

  • PrEP is reimbursed via EOPYY for people with an AMKA number and active coverage
  • Requires prescription from a Loimoxiologos (infectious disease specialist) or dermatologist at a public hospital
  • Dispensed at EOPYY-contracted pharmacies (Φαρμακεία ΕΟΠΥΥ)
  • Without AMKA: generic TDF/FTC available privately for approximately €30–50/month
  • Ath Checkpoint can refer you to specific gay-affirming doctors — ask them first

Step 1: Get Your AMKA

An AMKA (Αριθμός Μητρώου Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης) is the Greek social security number. For Greek residents, AMKA is required to access free public healthcare including PrEP.

If you're an EU citizen living in Greece, you can obtain an AMKA at your local ΙΚΑ/ΕΦΚΑ (social security) office. You'll need your passport and evidence of address/employment/registration.

Tourists and short-term visitors typically cannot access EOPYY-reimbursed PrEP during their stay.

Step 2: Find a Gay-Affirming Loimoxiologos

The main access point for PrEP in Athens is the infectious disease specialist (Λοιμοξιολόγος) at a public hospital. The key hospitals:

Andreas Syggros Hospital Ionos Dragoumi 5, 161 21 Kallithea | Phone: 210 720 0100 The primary dermatological/venereal disease hospital in Athens. The infectious disease team here are the most experienced with PrEP prescriptions for gay and bisexual men.

Attikon University Hospital Rimini 1, 124 62 Chaidari | Phone: 210 583 2000 An alternative — infectious disease department familiar with PrEP.

The stigma issue: Not every doctor at these hospitals is equally gay-affirming or familiar with PrEP for gay and bisexual men specifically. Ask Ath Checkpoint (athcheckpoint.gr) for their current list of recommended, gay-affirming doctors — they maintain up-to-date knowledge of who to see and who to avoid.

Step 3: The Prescription Process

At the appointment, the doctor will:

  1. Confirm you're HIV-negative (HIV test)
  2. Run baseline STI screen (syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, hepatitis B/C)
  3. Check kidney function (creatinine)
  4. Issue an ηλεκτρονική συνταγή (electronic prescription) via the EOPYY system

The electronic prescription goes directly to the EOPYY pharmacy system — you don't need to carry paper.

Quarterly monitoring is required to renew the prescription: HIV test, STI screen, and kidney function. These are done at the same hospital, covered by EOPYY.

Step 4: EOPYY Pharmacy (Φαρμακείο ΕΟΠΥΥ)

PrEP on EOPYY is dispensed at EOPYY-contracted pharmacies — not all pharmacies. Use the EOPYY website (eopyy.gov.gr) to find contracted pharmacies near you. Most major pharmacies in Athens are contracted.

Show your AMKA or health booklet (βιβλιάριο υγείας). The medication is dispensed at no or minimal cost.

Without AMKA — Private Route

Without Greek social security coverage:

  • Generic TDF/FTC is available at private pharmacies for approximately €30–50/month
  • You need a prescription from any Greek doctor — a private infectious disease specialist or dermatologist
  • Ath Checkpoint can advise on doctors who will see you privately and understand PrEP

Private appointment cost: approximately €60–100 per visit.

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