AMKA is the Greek unified national insurance number (similar to an NHS number in the UK) for those legally long term resident (blue permanent residence certificate) or working or self employed in Greece (beige or blue residence document), EU state pensioners (with S1 form and either beige or blue residence certificate) plus all dependant members of their families (legally registered with their own residence certificate) can obtain an AMKA number.
ARE YOU ENTITLED TO AN AMKA NUMBER FOR FREE HEALTHCARE?
In 2016 the left wing Greek government brought in a law to cover uninsured persons (after 8 years of austerity and people losing their jobs and subsequently their state health insurance) which entitled any resident in Greece (Greek, EU, non-EU or refugee) to obtain free emergency and outpatient care in Greek state hospitals and state health centres by just quoting their AMKA number. In October 2019 the newly elected right wing Greek govenment changed the law to exclude any non-Greek residents (who had not already obtained a number) from obtaining a new AMKA number if they do not hold permanent residence certificates (blue), except those with a job contract or reciprocal EU forms.
Now those who do not already have an AMKA number and live in Greece part time but are still primarily registered in their home country or those who do not legally work in Greece and who do not hold a blue permanent registration certificate are likely unable to get an AMKA number issued to them at this time.
How to get an AMKA number
Firstly..
- If you have worked and paid national insurance in Greece in the past ten years you should already have been issued with an AMKA number.
- If you are an EU state pensioner and have registered your S1 form with EFKA (IKA) you will already have an AMKA number.
If you unsure of whether you have an AMKA, or you don't know your number, you can look it up online by filling in the short form (name, d.o.b) at www.amka.gr
There is also an AMKA helpline on telephone number 11131
Don't forget that even if you have an AMKA number yourself, you will still have to apply for a separate AMKA number for any children and other dependants.
Go to your local KEP office (Citizens Advice Centre) to apply for an AMKA number with the following documents for each family member, Note S1 form holders should go direct to an EFKA/EOPYY office:
1)Passport or Greek ID card.
2) Blue permanent residence certificate, or beige residence certificate plus S1 for for pensioner or plus work contract for employees.
3) A full birth certicate (showing your mother & father's names) & officially translated in to Greek OR a civil status document - 'πιστοποιητικό οικογενειακής κατάστασης' officially translated into Greek (Note: in the UK there is no such document) .
4)For dependent children - a copy of the πιστοποιητικού οικογενειακής κατάστασης or birth certificate.
