Crete Hospitals Overwhelmed; Tourists Advised to Use Private Care

Wednesday, 20 May 2026/Source: Google News/1 min read

Crete's public hospitals are currently under significant strain, with emergency departments overwhelmed and medical staff reporting exhaustion from heavy workloads. The situation affects all major hospital facilities across the island, including those in Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno, and Lasithi. For tourists, this means emergency wait times may be considerably longer than usual. Visitors are advised to use private clinics or medical centers for non-life-threatening issues, as these offer faster service and many have English-speaking staff. Travel insurance that covers private medical care is strongly recommended. For genuine emergencies, call 112 (pan-European emergency number) or 166 (Greek ambulance service). Pharmacists (farmakeia) can also assist with minor ailments and are widely available. Staying hydrated and taking precautions against heat-related illness will help reduce the need for emergency care during your visit.