Medical Certificate in Greece and Doctor's Note in Greece: What's the Difference?
In Greece, employees generally need a ιατρική βεβαίωση (iatriki vevaiosi), a medical certificate, from a doctor to support a sickness absence from work and, where relevant, a related sick-pay claim processed through e-EFKA, Greece's unified social security organization. For sport, gym, travel, or general purposes (insurance claims, education-related documentation, or other administrative use), a separate certificate type generally applies. See the full list below. Exact requirements can vary by employer, institution, and individual case, so treat the information on this page as general guidance rather than a substitute for confirming your own specific situation. A doctor genuinely reviews every request before deciding whether a certificate is appropriate; this is not an automatic or instant document, and a small proportion of requests are declined where the doctor judges it clinically inappropriate to issue one, in which case you are refunded in full. In everyday English this is often just called a doctor's note for Greece, even where the official local term differs.
Greece Legal Snapshot: Sick Leave / Medical Certificate
| Local document name | ιατρική βεβαίωση (iatriki vevaiosi), Greek for "medical certificate," the general document used across most sick-leave and other medical documentation needs in Greece. |
|---|---|
| What it's generally used for | Supporting a sickness absence from work with your employer and, where applicable, a related sick-pay claim administered through e-EFKA. |
| Who can generally issue it | A licensed doctor. For e-EFKA sick-pay purposes specifically, the official certificate generally needs to be issued electronically through Greece's national e-prescription system by the treating doctor, and typically covers up to about 15 days before renewal is needed. Our doctors are registered to assess cases in Greece and review every case individually before deciding whether to issue our own, separate certificate. |
| Notification timing | Generally required promptly for the absence in question; exact employer notification deadlines can vary, so check your specific employment contract or company handbook. |
| Governing framework | e-EFKA, Greece's unified social security organization, generally administers sick-pay and related benefit claims for most employees. |
| Data protection law | GDPR as implemented in Greece. |
| Employer acceptance | Generally accepted when validly issued by a doctor following a genuine assessment, though acceptance practices can vary by employer, so confirm your employer's specific policy where possible. |
Note on e-EFKA sick-pay claims: Supporting a sick-pay claim through e-EFKA generally involves additional steps beyond simply obtaining a medical certificate, and the specific procedure, required forms, and payment amounts can change over time and can vary by employment type and individual case. e-EFKA's own cash sick-pay benefit is also generally subject to a short waiting period at the start of an absence (commonly the first three days), with your employer typically covering part of that gap directly, so the certificate requirement itself and the point at which e-EFKA's own payment begins are not necessarily the same day. Confirm the current process directly with e-EFKA, your ασφαλιστικός φορέας (asfalistikos foreas), or your employer's HR/payroll team at the time you need to rely on it. Self-employed workers, part-time employees, and those under different insurance arrangements may face different documentation requirements than a standard full-time employee, which is another reason to confirm your own situation directly rather than relying solely on general guidance.
The certificate type you need generally depends on why you need it, not just where you live. A sickness absence from work generally calls for a sick leave certificate that references your specific condition and the period you were unable to work. A sports club, by contrast, generally wants confirmation that you are medically fit for the specific activity, which is a different clinical question to a routine work absence. Fit-to-fly requests are assessed against your travel date, mode of travel, and any recent procedure or condition, since airline requirements can differ by carrier and route. Treat each certificate type as answering a distinct question a doctor is being asked to assess, rather than interchangeable paperwork.
A ιατρική βεβαίωση issued by a doctor after a genuine online assessment is generally treated no differently from one obtained in person, provided the doctor is registered to assess cases in Greece. However, acceptance is ultimately at the discretion of the specific employer, school, club, or institution involved, and practices can vary case by case. Some employers may have their own internal policy on remote or online medical documentation in addition to the general legal position, so it is sensible to check your contract or staff handbook if you are relying on a certificate for an unusual or high-stakes situation. This page reflects general guidance on Greek employment and e-EFKA practice rather than a specific legal citation, and it is not legal, medical, or immigration advice. Last reviewed July 2026. Always confirm current rules before relying on them for a specific case.
All Certificate Types Available in Greece
Every certificate type is reviewed by a doctor registered to assess cases in Greece, and each case is genuinely assessed before a certificate is issued. Prices reflect the doctor's review, your PDF, and certificate verification. Choose the certificate that matches your specific situation below.
Sick Leave Certificate
For work absence in Greece. Generally supports a sickness absence and any related sick-pay claim processed through e-EFKA, referencing your condition and the period of absence.
From €34.99Sports Fitness Certificate
For Greek sports clubs and competitions requiring medical clearance for club or competitive participation, including youth categories. Generally valid 12 months from issue.
From €34.99General Fitness Certificate
For Greek gym membership and general fitness sign-up where a health declaration is requested by the facility before you join.
From €34.99General Medical Certificate
For insurance claims, education-related documentation, and other general administrative uses in Greece where a doctor's written confirmation is requested.
From €34.99How It Works in Greece
Complete assessment
3-5 minutes. Select your certificate type, confirm Greece as your country, and answer relevant health questions honestly and in as much detail as you can. No payment is taken at this stage, and your answers go straight to a doctor for review.
Doctor reviews your case
A doctor registered to assess cases in Greece reviews your case against Greek requirements, generally during business hours (9am-6pm EET/EEST, Monday-Friday). The doctor may request more information before deciding whether it is appropriate to issue a certificate.
Receive your PDF
Emailed same day, usually within 30 minutes of approval, with doctor credentials and a verification reference the recipient can scan or check to confirm authenticity.
Who Accepts These Certificates in Greece
A validly issued ιατρική βεβαίωση from a doctor registered to assess cases in Greece is generally accepted by the following, though acceptance can vary by the specific employer or institution's own policy, and it is always worth confirming in advance for an unusual or high-stakes situation.
Employers
Generally accepted to support a sickness absence and any related sick-pay documentation processed through e-EFKA, alongside whatever internal notification your employer's own policy requires.
Schools & universities
Accepted for absence documentation and other administrative requirements at many Greek schools and universities, including supporting a request for an extension or exemption.
Sports clubs
Many Greek sports clubs request medical clearance for club and competition participation, particularly for competitive or youth categories where a duty of care applies.
Airlines
Fit-to-fly certificates accepted by airlines requiring medical clearance for travel after recent surgery, illness, or during later pregnancy, subject to the specific carrier's own policy.
Insurers
General medical certificates accepted by insurers to support related claims, subject to the specific policy's own documentation requirements.
GetMedicalCertificate in Greece's Major Cities
Our service is fully online and available across Greece, wherever you are based, from the mainland to the islands. There is no need to visit a physical clinic in any of these cities: the same doctor-reviewed process applies nationwide. These are the cities we serve the most requests from.
Athens
Attica, the capital and largest metropolitan area
Thessaloniki
Central Macedonia, the second-largest city
Patras
Western Greece, a major western port city
Heraklion
Crete, the island's largest city
Larissa
Thessaly, a major central mainland city
Greece Pricing: All Certificate Types
| Certificate Type | Our Price | Typical Private Consultation |
|---|---|---|
| Sick Leave Certificate | €34.99 | €50-€120 |
| Sports Fitness Certificate | €34.99 | €50-€120 |
| General Fitness Certificate | €34.99 | €50-€120 |
| Fit to Fly Certificate | €34.99 | €50-€120 |
| Return to Work Certificate | €34.99 | €50-€120 |
| General Medical Certificate | €34.99 | €50-€120 |
*Typically €30-60 for a standard private consultation in Greece. Specialised in-person assessments, such as sports medical clearance, may cost more. These are general estimates and vary by location, provider, and case.
GetMedicalCertificate vs a Typical In-Person Doctor Visit in Greece
There is no single, directly comparable named online competitor for Greece that we can fairly reference here, so the most useful comparison is against a typical in-person doctor visit.
A standard private consultation in Greece typically costs around €30-60, and generally involves booking an appointment, travelling to a clinic, and waiting for an available slot, on top of the consultation fee itself. For many people, that also means arranging time away from work or other commitments simply to obtain the same document a straightforward online assessment could provide. Our online service starts at €34.99, is reviewed by a doctor registered to assess cases in Greece following a genuine online assessment, and is generally delivered the same day, usually within 30 minutes of the doctor's approval. Every certificate we issue includes a verification reference, which lets the receiving employer, school, or club check its authenticity, a feature not typically offered with a standard paper certificate from an in-person visit. As with any medical assessment, our doctors may decline to issue a certificate if it is not clinically appropriate to do so in a given case; if that happens, you receive a full refund rather than a certificate that would not hold up to scrutiny. This is not a claim that online review is superior for every case: some conditions genuinely need an in-person examination, and our doctors will tell you if that applies to you.
Our Greece Medical Team
Every Greece certificate is reviewed by a doctor registered to assess cases in Greece. Relevant registration details are shown on your certificate. A doctor will only issue a certificate after genuinely assessing your case and if it is clinically appropriate to do so. If a doctor decides it is not appropriate, you receive a full refund rather than a certificate. Doctors review the health questions you provide during the assessment step and may follow up with additional questions before making a decision, in the same way a clinician would ask follow-up questions during an in-person consultation. We do not name individual doctors on this page, but registration and credential details are provided on the certificate itself so the recipient can verify them if needed. If your case involves symptoms or a condition that genuinely needs a physical examination, imaging, or lab tests, the doctor reviewing your request will tell you that an online assessment is not sufficient and will direct you toward in-person care instead of issuing a certificate that would not be clinically sound.
Registered practitioners, not a call centre.
Every doctor is independently verified against their national medical council before they see a single patient - including across Greece.
Dr. Panagiotis F.
Reg. #ΠΙΣ - 1006779Dr. Ioannis L.
Reg. #ΠΙΣ - 1025351Dr. Georgia M.
Reg. #ΠΙΣ - 10088Dr. Dendrinos G.
Reg. #ΠΙΣ - 1005295Greece Medical Certificate FAQ
Generally, yes. Greek employees generally need a ιατρική βεβαίωση (iatriki vevaiosi), a medical certificate, from a doctor to justify a sickness absence from work and, where relevant, to support a related sick-pay claim processed through e-EFKA. Exact requirements can vary by employer and by the specific circumstances of your case, so it is worth checking your own employment contract or company handbook for any additional notification steps. If in doubt, ask your employer's HR contact what they specifically require before your absence goes on for too long.
Yes. You can get a ιατρική βεβαίωση online, issued by a doctor registered to assess cases in Greece, following a genuine online assessment of your case. A doctor reviews every request individually and will only issue a certificate if it is clinically appropriate to do so, the same standard applied to an in-person consultation. You will be asked detailed health questions during the assessment so the doctor has enough information to make that decision properly.
Generally, yes, provided the certificate is issued by a doctor following a genuine assessment. That said, acceptance is ultimately at the discretion of your specific employer, and practices can vary from one workplace to another, so if you have concerns it is worth checking your employer's sickness absence policy in advance of relying on an online certificate. Our certificates include a verification reference your employer can use to confirm authenticity if they wish to.
Our Greece sick leave / general medical certificate costs €34.99, which includes the doctor's review of your case, your PDF certificate with certificate verification, and same-day delivery. This compares to typically €30-60 for a standard private in-person consultation in Greece, before accounting for the time spent booking, travelling to, and attending an in-person appointment. Every other certificate type is the same price, whatever the assessment involved.
Many Greek sports clubs request medical clearance for competitive or youth participants, particularly ahead of club registration, a competition entry, or a grading. Our sports fitness certificate is reviewed by a doctor registered to assess cases in Greece and is generally valid for 12 months from issue. Requirements can differ between clubs and sports, so check with your specific club what documentation they expect.
Yes. We operate in line with GDPR as implemented in Greece. Your medical information is only seen by the doctor assessing your specific case and is never shared with third parties beyond what is needed to issue and verify your certificate. You can request details of how your data is handled at any time.
Same day, usually within 30 minutes of a doctor's approval, assuming no additional information is needed to complete the assessment of your case. If a doctor requests more detail, delivery may take a little longer while your case is reviewed properly, since a genuine assessment always comes before speed.
Yes. In everyday English, "medical certificate" and "doctor's note" describe the same kind of document, and we use both terms for Greece. Whichever term the person or institution asking for one uses, our certificate is reviewed by a doctor and designed to meet that request.
A certificate anyone can check - in seconds.
Every certificate is issued by a doctor registered with their national medical council, after a real assessment, and carries a reference code that resolves instantly - whether your employer is in Dublin, Berlin or Warsaw.
- ✓Issued only after a genuine clinical review
- ✓Unique reference code, checkable by anyone
- ✓Covers sick leave, fitness-to-work & carer's leave
- ✓Delivered as a signed PDF within the hour

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