Greece has a centrally administered healthcare system that provides coverage for citizens and legal residents. However, recent OECD and European Observatory data show that Greece spends less per person on health than the OECD and EU averages, while out-of-pocket payments remain high. These issues make health workforce planning, including nursing, especially important.
The country’s healthcare system would not work without its frontliners: healthcare professionals. Nurses play a vital role in providing health and medical care to patients. They also serve as a communication bridge between patients, doctors, and other healthcare staff, and they are often the first professionals Greek-speaking patients turn to for care, assistance, or advice.
Even though Greece’s healthcare system offers broad coverage, the recorded number of nurses is relatively low. OECD data report 3.8 practicing nurses per 1,000 people in Greece, compared with an OECD average of 9.2. Among EU countries, Greece has the lowest number of nurses per capita, although the figure should be interpreted carefully because Greek data include only nurses working in hospitals. This low recorded density is one reason qualified nurses remain important in Greek health services.
For further knowledge about the nursing profession in Greece, how to be recognized as a nurse, and how to become eligible to work in the country, please read the step-by-step procedure below.
How to Become a Nurse in Greece
Step 1. Find an Accredited Greek Institution or University
For local Greek students, the first step is to identify accredited higher education institutions in Greece that offer nursing degrees. Current examples include the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the University of the Peloponnese, the University of West Attica, the Hellenic Mediterranean University, and the University of Ioannina. The University of Nicosia is located in Cyprus, not Greece, and older Technological Educational Institute names should be checked carefully because several former TEI departments have since been integrated into Greek universities.
Step 2. For Foreign Students, Research about Greek Institutions Offering a Nursing Degree
Foreign or international students who want to study nursing in Greece should check each university’s official website and official study portals for the program’s teaching language, delivery mode, duration, ECTS credits, open-call status, admission requirements, tuition or fee information, and student visa requirements. Many public undergraduate nursing programs in Greece are taught in Greek and delivered in person, so students should also research the city, housing costs, and daily living costs before choosing a university.
Step 3. Obtain an Advanced Level Greek Language Certificate
One of the requirements for many international students and foreign-trained nurses is Greek language proficiency. For entrance to Greek public universities and for practice in medical professions, applicants may need a B2 Certificate of Modern Greek Language Knowledge or another officially accepted Greek-language certificate. This requirement is for Greek, not German. Meeting the language requirement helps students follow lectures, complete clinical training, and communicate safely with patients and healthcare teams in Greece.
Step 4. Meet the Requirements of Your Chosen Greek University
Like every other university, Greek universities that offer nursing programs set their own application requirements. International applicants should check the official instructions for their admission category and the university’s current admissions page. Common documents may include the following:
- High school graduation certificate or equivalent secondary school certificate
- Proof that the graduation certificate allows the applicant to enter university in the country where it was issued
- Official transcript or curriculum certificate, when required
- Official Greek translations and Apostille or consular validation, when required
- Passport, identity card, or other proof of identity
- Application form provided by the relevant authority or university
- Greek language proficiency certificate, usually B2 or higher for Greek-taught programs
The applicant’s chosen university may require additional documents, so applicants should be ready to provide the documents requested by the institution. For detailed information about university application requirements, visit the university’s official website, use official Greek education portals, and contact the admissions office directly.
Step 5. Finish the Nursing Degree and Obtain a Diploma
One of the necessary steps to become a nurse in Greece is to complete a nursing degree. Greek undergraduate nursing programs commonly last four academic years, or eight semesters, and lead to a degree requiring 240 ECTS credits. Nursing curricula include theoretical courses, laboratory education, and clinical or practical training. To be recognized professionally, students must complete the required program and obtain the diploma issued by the accredited institution.
Step 6. For Foreign Students Who Finished Their Studies Abroad, Pass the Licensure Examination in your Country to be a Registered Nurse
In many countries, nursing students must pass a national licensing or registration process after completing their degree. If your country requires a licensure examination, you should pass it and keep proof of your professional registration, license, and good standing. To practice in Greece, foreign-trained nurses also need their qualifications recognized through the appropriate Greek or EU professional recognition route. EU/EEA general care nurses may benefit from automatic recognition if their training meets EU Directive requirements, while other candidates may be assessed under the general recognition system and could be asked to complete additional measures such as an aptitude test or adaptation period.
Step 7. Get a Nursing Experience in Your Country
Work experience is not a single universal immigration rule for every nurse moving to Greece, but it can strengthen an application and may be relevant for qualification recognition or employer screening. For some EU recognition routes, nurses may need to show professional experience, such as three years of practice within the last five years under acquired-rights rules. Applicants should collect employment certificates, job descriptions, professional references, and proof of good standing from their nursing regulator before applying in Greece.
Step 8. Find Work in Greece Online
Before moving to Greece for work, applicants should look for nursing vacancies through public hospitals, private healthcare providers, recruitment portals, and official employer websites. For third-country nationals, the first practical step is usually to find a Greek employer, because the work visa or residence process may require an employment contract and employer-side procedures. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens follow free-movement rules, but they still need to meet professional recognition and registration requirements before practicing as nurses.
Step 9. Meet the Basic Requirements of the Immigration
Applicants from different countries must meet the requirements that apply to their nationality, residence status, and job type. Non-EU applicants generally need the correct visa or residence permit with the right to work. Basic documents may include the following:
- Valid passport or other accepted travel document
- Visa or residence permit application documents, where applicable
- Employment contract or proof of a job offer
- Criminal record document, where required
- Recent photographs and applicable government fees
- Proof of health insurance or proof of application to the relevant insurance agency
- Diploma, certificate of completion, and official qualification recognition documents
- Nursing license, registration certificate, professional status certificate, or proof of good standing
- Official translations, Apostille, or consular validation for foreign documents, where required
- B2 Modern Greek language certificate, where required for study, recognition, or practice
- Birth certificate and marriage certificate, if requested for the applicant’s situation
Other documents may be requested by the immigration authority, Greek consulate, employer, professional body, or university. To learn more about requirements, applicants should contact the Greek consulate in their country and check the Greece Immigration website.
Step 10. Be Ready to Meet the Cost of Living in the Country
Once the nurse has found a Greek employer, completed professional recognition steps, and met the relevant immigration requirements, the applicant can prepare to move to Greece. The final step is to plan for the cost of living, including housing, food, transportation, health insurance or healthcare contributions, document translations, professional registration fees, and other day-to-day expenses. Having sufficient funds can help make the transition smoother while waiting for employment, registration, and residence procedures to be finalized.
To become a nurse in Greece, prospective students and licensed nurses abroad must take several steps. Students need to find an accredited Greek institution, meet Greek language and admission requirements, complete a nursing degree, and follow the professional registration process. Foreign-trained nurses need to have their qualifications recognized, meet Greek language requirements where applicable, secure the right to work, and complete visa or residence procedures. You can take your first steps by checking out this guide on How to Get a Greece Work Visa.
We hope that this article on steps to become a nurse in Greece was helpful. If you are interested, make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe for International Students!
