Practical: care in Greece
Online Psychiatrist in Greece: Video Appointments, E-Prescriptions and Follow-Up
How online psychiatric care works in Greece: who it suits, how the first video appointment runs, how e-prescriptions reach you with or without an AMKA, follow-up, cost and insurance.
Short answer
Yes. You can see a psychiatrist in Greece by secure video call, from anywhere in the country. An online appointment can lead to a diagnosis, a treatment plan, psychotherapy and, when the doctor judges it appropriate, an electronic prescription. If you have an AMKA, the prescription reaches you through the national e-prescription system. If you do not, it can be issued with your passport [1]. Research shows that, for most psychiatric conditions, treatment by video gives results similar to treatment in person [2]. Some situations still need an in-person visit, and an emergency always needs emergency services.
Who online care suits, and when to come in person
At this practice we decide with one simple rule. When the main need is a conversation, an assessment or a review of treatment, then video is usually enough, because a psychiatric assessment rests mostly on your history, on how you describe your symptoms and on what the doctor observes while you talk. When a physical examination is needed, when symptoms are severe or changing fast, or when there is a risk to your safety, then we see you in person or refer you to emergency care, because a screen cannot replace those.
Research supports this approach. A meta-analysis of randomised trials found that treatment by video and treatment in person gave similar symptom improvement overall, with differences for some conditions: for eating disorders, for example, in-person treatment did better [2]. Another meta-analysis found very high agreement between diagnoses made by video and diagnoses made in person [3].
How the first online appointment works
Book online. Choose a time in the booking calendar. You receive a link for the video call.
Prepare a quiet, private room. Use headphones if others are at home, and check your connection a few minutes before.
Have your documents ready. Your ID or passport, a list of the medicines you take, and any previous reports or diagnoses.
The assessment. The doctor asks about your current symptoms, your history, your physical health and your daily life. Treatment is discussed after the assessment, not before.
A shared decision. At the end you agree together on the next step, and the next appointment has a clear goal.
Prescriptions after an online appointment
If you have an AMKA
Greece uses paperless e-prescriptions. If you have signed up for paperless prescriptions on gov.gr, your doctor sends the prescription to your mobile phone by SMS or to your email instead of printing it, and you show it at any pharmacy [4]. What you pay for the medicine depends on your insurance cover.
If you do not have an AMKA
Since August 2024, doctors can issue e-prescriptions to visitors and foreign residents who have no AMKA, using their passport details [1]. There is no reimbursement from the national health fund (EOPYY), so you pay the full price at the pharmacy. Read more: Prescriptions in Greece without an AMKA.
What a prescription is not
A prescription is never promised before the appointment. Some medicines have stricter rules in Greece, for example the medicines used for ADHD (see ADHD medication for adults in Greece). In those cases the doctor may need more information, or closer follow-up, before prescribing.
Follow-up
When medication is started, we treat it as a trial with a clear goal: start low, adjust step by step, and review what has changed. A medication can be stopped if it does not help or causes side effects. Online follow-up makes these reviews easier to keep, especially if you live far from Trikala. Psychotherapy can also continue online; at this practice it is structured and brief, and focused on skills for the present.
Privacy and the legal framework
Online care follows the same rules as care in person: Greek law and the code of medical ethics, including medical confidentiality, apply to telepsychiatry too [5]. For your part, use a device that only you use, if possible, and a room where nobody else can hear.
Cost and insurance
An online appointment costs the same as an appointment in person: 130 euro. You receive an official receipt. Many private and international insurers reimburse psychiatric appointments; check your policy before you book.
Frequently asked questions
Can I be seen online from any part of Greece?
Yes. Online appointments are available from anywhere in Greece, including the islands.
Is online care as good as care in person?
For most conditions, studies show similar results [2]. The doctor will tell you if your situation needs an in-person visit.
Are appointments available in English?
Yes. Appointments are available in English and in Greek.
What if it is an emergency?
Online appointments are not for emergencies. Call 112 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Sources
[1] Gov.gr (mitos.gov.gr): “Application of the e-prescription system (Σ.Η.Σ.) to third-country nationals and European citizens”. Legal basis: Ministerial Decision Δ3(α)/33959/28-6-2024, Government Gazette Β’ 3800/01.07.2024.
[2] Hagi K, et al. Telepsychiatry versus face-to-face treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Br J Psychiatry. 2023;223(3):407–414. doi:10.1192/bjp.2023.86
[3] Fujikawa M, et al. Diagnosis and symptom assessment in telepsychiatry vs. face-to-face settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2025;79(9):580–596. doi:10.1111/pcn.13860
[4] Gov.gr: “Paperless prescribing” (Άυλη συνταγογράφηση), service page.
[5] Chatzi M. The ethical and legal dilemmas of telepsychiatry. Bioethica. 2024;10(1):43–57.
General information, not a substitute for medical advice. In an emergency call 112 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Author: Dr. Georgios Mylonas, Psychiatrist – Psychotherapist. Last updated: 7 November 2026.
