Greece Proposes New Medi Visa to Boost International Medical Tourism in 2025

Greece is moving to launch a new “Medi Visa” in 2025, a special entry document designed to bring more international patients to Greek hospitals, clinics, and wellness centers. As of August 28, 2025, the proposal sits in advanced talks among key ministries and industry leaders, with the Athens Medical Association and the Greek Health Tourism Council pushing for swift adoption. The plan’s core promise is simple: faster, easier entry for people who want medical, wellness, fertility, or longevity treatments in Greece, especially travelers from non‑Schengen countries who today face slow or uncertain visa decisions.

The initiative was formally presented in late August by the Athens Medical Association and the Greek Health Tourism Council (Elitour). ISA President Giorgos Patoulis led discussions with Migration Minister Thanos Plevris, Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis, and Foreign Affairs Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis. Officials involved in the talks describe the measure as a targeted fix for a well‑known problem in medical travel: appointments often fall through because patients can’t secure a visa in time. The Medi Visa aims to remove that bottleneck and send a clear message that Greece wants to grow its role in global health tourism.

Who the Medi Visa would cover

According to the proposal, the Medi Visa would apply to patients traveling for:

• Elective surgeries
• Fertility treatments
• Dental work
• Cosmetic procedures
• Rehabilitation
• Wellness retreats
• Longevity programs

It is tailored for non‑Schengen visitors who currently face heavier documentation and longer wait times. By coding the visa specifically for medical or wellness purposes, Greek authorities say they can process applications faster than standard Schengen visas, cut down on cancellations, and give clinics the planning certainty they need.

Industry leaders describe the policy as the country’s most important health tourism initiative of the year. They point to Greece’s strong medical reputation—particularly in fertility, cosmetic surgery, dental care, and holistic therapies—and argue that simpler entry rules would turn that clinical quality into steady patient flows. The Athens Medical Association and Elitour have framed the Medi Visa as a practical tool to align migration procedures with healthcare capacity, hotel availability, and the broader tourism economy.

Policy details and timeline

Backers expect adoption within months, with a rollout window of 6–12 months if the inter‑ministerial process finishes on schedule. While the final text has not been published, officials and industry representatives have described the key parts of the anticipated process:

• Applicants would need:
  • a valid passport
  • a confirmed medical appointment or treatment plan from a recognized Greek provider
  • proof of funds for care and stay
  • relevant medical reports or referral letters
  • health insurance covering the visit
• Stays would likely be allowed for up to 90 days, with the option to extend for more complex treatments or recovery.
• Processing would run through Greek embassies and consulates, with files flagged for medical purpose to support expedited decisions.
• Fees are not yet finalized but are expected to be competitive with or lower than standard Schengen fees to encourage take‑up.

Officials emphasize that the Medi Visa is not a shortcut around safety or public health rules. The plan keeps core checks—identity, security, medical purpose, and proof of funding—while removing paperwork that does not add value for medical travelers. That balance is central to government support so far, according to participants in the talks.

For authoritative updates as the policy moves forward, the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum maintains official visa guidance and announcements on its website. Readers can check the ministry’s pages for future instructions once the Medi Visa is approved: Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum.

Impact on patients and providers

For patients, the primary benefit is time. Clinics often schedule surgeries weeks in advance; a slow visa can push a needed procedure into the next season or force a cancellation that’s costly for families. Under the Medi Visa plan, consular teams would have a dedicated lane for medical cases, with clear document checklists that reduce back‑and‑forth.

That helps scenarios such as:

• a couple flying for IVF
• a retiree seeking joint replacement
• a patient booking dental implants

The plan is also expected to widen eligibility. Advocates say many non‑Schengen nationals from the Middle East, parts of Asia and Africa, and the Americas give up on care in Greece after facing uncertain timelines. With a specific medical category and predictable steps, more of those patients could complete their journey.

If a patient must stay longer for recovery, the ability to extend the visa would keep care on track without forcing a costly break in treatment. For Greece’s hospitals, clinics, and wellness resorts, the expected effect is steadier calendars and better resource planning. When medical travelers can enter the country reliably, facilities can book operating rooms and staff with less risk of empty slots.

Hotels and rehabilitation centers near major clinics also stand to gain from longer stays and higher occupancy outside peak beach seasons. Advocates say this spreads tourism benefits more evenly across the year, which policymakers have sought as climate pressures and crowded summers push Greece to rethink its visitor model.

Economic and regional context

The government views medical travel as a growth area within tourism. Industry estimates cited by the Athens Medical Association and Elitour place tourism at roughly one‑third of national output, or about €62.8–€75.6 billion per year. The Medi Visa is pitched as part of a broader diversification—bringing in higher‑spend visitors who use medical services, stay longer, and spend across local economies, from pharmacies and taxis to restaurants and cultural sites.

The proposal fits a wider European context. While the EU’s new ETIAS pre‑travel authorization has been delayed until late 2026, many non‑EU nationals still face complex consular rules across Schengen. A Greek medical category could become a model for other EU states with strong health sectors, such as Spain or Germany, and encourage more coordinated regional rules for treatment‑driven travel.

International organizations have echoed that approach: the World Health Organization and the UN World Tourism Organization have promoted closer work between health and tourism authorities, and Greece has been active in those conversations this year.

Practical considerations and safeguards

On the ground, providers say clarity matters as much as speed. When a clinic can hand a patient a simple list—appointment letter, medical report, funds, and insurance—and point to a dedicated visa category, trust rises. A predictable process makes it easier for families to budget, secure time off work, and plan post‑operative recovery.

Many Greek providers already coordinate airport pickup and hotel recovery packages; the Medi Visa could tie those services to a smoother entry path. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, health tourism tends to grow when destination countries align visa policy with healthcare capacity and patient needs. The site notes that countries attracting stable medical flows usually maintain:

• a clear purpose‑based visa
• reliable processing times
• post‑arrival support for extensions when medical outcomes require longer care

Ministers have signaled that patient safety and ethical standards will remain central. Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis has backed efforts to ensure recognized providers meet national rules and that facilities advertising to international patients maintain honest, transparent pricing. That approach aims to protect both patients and Greece’s reputation, especially in sensitive fields like fertility.

Stakeholders also point to sustainability. Greece’s climate stresses—heat, fires, and water limits—have pushed tourism planners to think about year‑round, higher‑value travel with less burden on peak‑season infrastructure. Medical and wellness travel often takes place in spring, autumn, and winter, easing pressure on islands and beach towns while supporting urban clinics and regional hospitals. The Medi Visa could reinforce that shift if it delivers a steady flow of treatment‑focused visitors.

Open questions and next steps

Key unresolved issues include:

• Cost: Officials expect competitive fees, but families often face combined expenses (flights, hotels, translators, post‑op care). Industry groups say the Medi Visa should include clear information on costs and consider fee waivers or reductions for long treatments or repeat visits.
• Extensions: Patients recovering from orthopedic surgery or undergoing multiple IVF cycles might need more than 90 days. Transparent criteria and timelines for extensions—likely using medical letters from Greek physicians—will be crucial.
• Support channels: Advocates suggest a hotline or consular email channel for medical cases to keep decisions on track when clinical schedules are tight.

For now, the next step is formal adoption. With the Athens Medical Association and Elitour pressing the case, and with support from the migration, health, and foreign affairs ministries, officials say the groundwork is in place. Greece raised its tourism tax earlier this year to fund infrastructure, but that change does not directly affect medical travelers, who often visit outside peak holiday periods.

Meanwhile, the delay of ETIAS to late 2026 removes a near‑term variable and gives Greece space to launch the Medi Visa without overlapping new EU travel checks.

If the policy lands as planned, Greece would send a clear signal: the country welcomes patients, not just vacationers.

For many families, that means fewer hurdles on the path to care—and for Greek providers, more certainty to invest in modern equipment, bilingual staff, and recovery services that meet international expectations. Advocates argue that the result could be a more balanced, resilient tourism economy, with health services at its core rather than at the margins.

The Medi Visa’s success will depend on simple forms, swift decisions, and fair extension rules tied to medical need. Those details are being finalized in government talks, with more guidance expected in the coming months. Until then, hospitals and clinics are preparing patient briefings and appointment templates so they can move quickly once the green light comes.

Readers planning treatment in Greece should follow official announcements from the migration ministry and watch for clinic updates that align with the new visa once it goes live. For official information, see: Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum.