Do you need travel insurance to Greece in 2026?
Greece is part of the Schengen Area, so Russian citizens need a Schengen visa to travel there. Medical insurance is a mandatory document for obtaining it: without a policy the visa package is considered incomplete.
Since 7 November 2025 the European Union has, as a rule, issued single-entry Schengen visas to Russians, with multiple-entry visas granted only to certain categories of applicants. In practice this means the policy is usually bought for a specific trip with exact entry and exit dates, and the next trip will require a new visa and new insurance.
Policy requirements for a Greek visa
| Parameter | What is required |
|---|---|
| Sum insured | at least EUR 30,000 |
| Territory | all Schengen Agreement countries |
| Period | the whole trip |
| Cover | medical care and repatriation |
| Deductible | none, as is established consular practice |
Even if you are flying only to Greece, the policy territory must cover the entire Schengen Area. The first and last name in the policy are given in Latin letters as in the international passport. General rules for all countries of the zone are on the insurance for a Schengen visa page.
Islands: why medical evacuation matters
Most trips to Greece involve islands: Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Santorini and many small ones. On a small island the capabilities of local healthcare are limited, and after a serious injury or illness a patient sometimes has to be taken to a large hospital on another island or on the mainland, by sea or by air.
So when choosing a programme, check that it includes medical transport to a suitable clinic. This is not the same as repatriation home: in the policy terms these are usually two separate items, and it helps to have both.
Risks to consider in Greece
Heat and sun
Summers in Greece are hot, and excursions to ancient sites often take place in the open air at the peak of the heat. Heatstroke, dehydration and sunburn are common reasons to see a doctor. Take water and a hat, and check whether the programme covers sunburn.
Sea, diving and water sports
Diving, windsurfing, jet skis and kayak trips are usually not part of the basic cover. Add the Active Leisure option and specify the sport. Divers will benefit from the Decompression Chamber Treatment option.
Renting cars, scooters and quad bikes
On the islands tourists readily rent cars, scooters and quad bikes, and the roads there can be narrow and winding. Consider accident insurance and personal liability, and check the programme terms on riding motorised two- and four-wheelers.
Visa refusal and flights
If the tour is already paid for but the visa has not yet been issued, the Trip Cancellation and Visa Refusal options are useful. They help recover non-refundable costs for the reasons stated in the terms. If your flight involves a connection, consider baggage and flight delay cover.
How to choose the sum insured
EUR 30,000 is enough for the visa. That sum suits a city break or a quiet beach holiday. If you plan island-hopping, active water sports or are travelling with children, choose EUR 50,000: it gives more peace of mind if hospitalisation or evacuation is needed.
Older travellers should look at the Chronic Conditions option, and families at emergency dental care. More details are on the insurance for seniors and insurance for children pages.
What to do in an insured event in Greece
The main rule: before going to a doctor, call the assistance company on the phone number in the policy. The operator will approve a clinic and, in complex cases, arrange transport. Do not pay for treatment yourself without approval, otherwise the reimbursement may be cut. Keep discharge summaries, invoices and receipts. In an emergency, call an ambulance first and notify the assistance company as soon as you can. The step-by-step procedure is in the insured event section.
How to buy travel insurance to Greece online
You can buy a policy right on this page. The calculator works through the Cherehapa service (Polis Re's partner) and shows offers from 16 insurance companies. The contract is concluded with the insurer you choose, and that company issues the policy.
- Select Greece as the destination, enter the travel dates and the travellers' ages.
- Set a sum of EUR 30,000 or more and add the options you need.
- Review the offers: price, deductible and limits for individual risks.
- Fill in the details in Latin letters as in the international passport and pay for the policy.
- The policy will arrive by e-mail; print it for your visa package.
If you are already in Greece without a policy, this can be fixed: some insurers have programmes for people who are already travelling; check the conditions (for example, a waiting period) in the calculator.
More on choosing a policy is in the travel insurance section. If your route continues to Cyprus, note that a separate national visa is needed there: see the insurance to Cyprus page.