Last update:
10-Jun-2025

The health sector is one of the most dynamic sectors of the Greek economy and our country is an emerging medical tourism destination with extremely promising prospects. The largest tourist centers are located in Athens, Thessaloniki, Crete, Rhodes, and Corfu. The services they provide are related to the improvement of vision problems with the use of lasers, cosmetic surgery, in vitro fertilization, hemodialysis, obesity treatment, and rehabilitation services. The centers of thermal tourism, which use natural thermal resources in specialized facilities and in places with special environmental and cultural characteristics are experiencing particular growth. Over the last decade, there has been intense legislative activity in the field of medical tourism, since criteria for spa medical tourism have been established, a registry of providers has been created, and complex developmental and ethical issues have been addressed. This study attempts to present the long-term evolution of the legal framework in Greece for medical tourism and to highlight relevant concerns and challenges for public health and the national economy. Greece is able to compete in the medical tourism market internationally and relevant legislative initiatives have been taken. However, concerns are raised regarding the long-term planning of the strategic development in the field of medical tourism.

Key words: Economy, Greece, Law, Medical tourism, Public health.