Greek hospitals will be reimbursed for services provided to EU nationals, while nationals of other countries will need to pay, according to a circular released by the Ministry of Health that calls on medical institutions to keep such records.

Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias said the measures would prevent charging Greek taxpayers with the cost. “Greek taxpayers will no longer pay for services rendered to foreign nationals through the National Health System,” he said.

In the circular, hospitals are advised to keep records of the services so that Greece may be reimbursed by EU countries, and it details how to do so if the EU nationals hold a European Health Insurance Card, and what to do if not. In the case of oreign nationals of Greek descent or third-country nationals with residence permits, hospitals need to apply to the unified health insurance system (EOPYY) for reimbursement.

Third-country nationals need to pay hospitals for services, the circular says, since there are no bilateral agreements with non-EU countries.