What this solves
You have a headache / sunburn / seasickness / insect bite / cold and you're in a small Greek town. The pharmacist (who is a licensed professional, not a retail clerk) can recommend and dispense an equivalent OTC product, but the names on the box will be in Greek. The green cross outside the door (Εφαρμηγείο) marks every pharmacy, and every pharmacy has a duty rota — the address of the open-after-hours pharmacy is posted on every shop's door, and searchable on efarmigeio.gr. This tool translates the common symptoms into the Greek names.
Lookup
How to read the result
Each entry shows three things: (1) the English-language brand name you'd recognise at home, (2) the Greek-language equivalent you'll see on the shelf in Greece, (3) the transliteration you can show the pharmacist or type into a phone-translator app. For some symptoms (cold, seasickness, mild pain) you can walk in and ask; for others (diarrhoea in a child, severe sunburn with blisters) the pharmacist will route you to a doctor or public-health centre.
The "Greek pharmacies dispense this without prescription" line is the unique angle. Some antibiotics (e.g. amoxicillin in limited courses), some high-dose NSAIDs, and certain antihistamines are prescription-only elsewhere in the EU but available OTC in Greece at pharmacist discretion. Greek pharmacies are also one of the few EU countries where you can walk in with a basic request and walk out with something that works, no appointment needed.
Limitations
- The lookup gives common OTC equivalents. Individual pharmacist discretion applies — a Greek pharmacist may refuse to dispense something to a child, pregnant visitor, or after a brief consult. Don't push.
- Antibiotic availability for Greece has been tightening since 2020 due to EU antibiotic-resistance policy. Some antibiotics that were previously OTC now require prescription even in Greece.
- The lookup is not a substitute for a doctor. For severe symptoms (high fever, persistent diarrhoea, anaphylaxis, severe burn), go to a hospital or call 166 (Greek ambulance service).
- Brand names change. Generic equivalents are more stable — when in doubt, ask for the active ingredient.
FAQ
How do I find the after-hours pharmacy?
Every pharmacy has the address of the on-duty pharmacy posted on its door (a small printed sheet, dated). You can also check efarmigeio.gr or call 14944 (Greek pharmacy duty-rota hotline). On small islands, the rota is shorter and may rotate between 1–2 pharmacies only.
Can the pharmacist give me antibiotics?
Sometimes — historically Greece had more permissive OTC rules than the EU average. Some basic antibiotics were OTC until the 2020s. Now most antibiotics require a prescription even in Greece. For something serious, see a doctor at a public-health centre or a private clinic.
Do I need a Greek prescription for my home country's meds?
For most OTC equivalents of common drugs, no. For specific prescription meds (insulin, blood-pressure, anxiety), bring your home prescription and a copy of the packaging. Greek pharmacists are flexible with recognised EU prescriptions, especially from other Schengen countries.
Can I buy codeine-based painkillers over the counter?
No — codeine combinations (e.g. codeine + paracetamol) require a Greek prescription. Plain paracetamol (Depon), ibuprofen (Algofren), and aspirin (Salospir) are OTC.
Related tools
Sources
- Hellenic National Organization for Medicines (EOF) — OTC dispensing rules 2025/2026.
- Greek Ministry of Health — pharmacy duty-rota rules and efarmigeio.gr search.
- On-site observation: pharmacy consultations in Athens, Santorini, Naxos, and small islands 2024–2025.
About this tool
Built because the green-cross pharmacy (Efarmio) is one of the most useful services in Greece for travellers, but the box names are in Greek. This lookup translates the common symptoms. Reference for 2025–2026. We are not affiliated with any pharmacy, EOF, or the Greek Ministry of Health.
Privacy Policy
Aegean Compass does not collect personal data. Calculator inputs (symptom, traveller profile) stay in your browser and are not transmitted. We display Google AdSense, which sets cookies for ad personalisation. Opt out at adssettings.google.com, aboutads.info, or youronlinechoices.eu. EEA visitors see a Google consent banner before personalised ads load.
Disclaimer
For informational purposes only. This tool is not a substitute for a doctor or pharmacist. For severe symptoms, go to a public hospital, a private clinic, or call 166 (Greek ambulance service). OTC availability changes — always consult the pharmacist on duty.