Social Security/Health Insurance

1. Health Insurance
2. Other Social Security Schemes

Licensed prostitution is considered a profession. The woman can always register in the social welfare system as a professional or a sex-worker.

The registration includes:

pension schemes;
social security benefits
State-organised health care schemes.

1. Health Insurance

A. Health Care Schemes (State-Organised)

1. Migrant Sex Workers with a Residence Permit

Self-employed migrant sex workers need a health insurance just like any other self-employed person.

If a woman is employed as a sex worker and not considered to be a prostitute, she has to have the same health insurance as any other employee.

2. Migrant Prostitutes

Self-employed migrant prostitutes who work legally as prostitutes have to have health insurance and should register as licensed professional prostitutes.

It is not possible to work legally as an employed prostitute.

3. Migrants without Legal Status

Migrants without a legal status cannot register within the social welfare system. There is no legal provision for emergency cases. However, state hospitals provide medical care to everyone, regardless of their social security status.

Without insurance, though, the woman has to pay the medical fees.

B. Private Health Insurance

1. Migrant Sex Workers with a Residence Permit

In Greece, migrant sex workers can be privately health insured as sex workers.

For example, the following companies offer insurance for sex workers:

Interamerican,
Alliance,
Nationale Nederlanden.In order to obtain a private health insurance the woman needs a passport, a residence permit, a work permit and residence registration.Insurance programs and schemes vary in cost and in the services they provide. It depends on the client’s needs which insurance suits her best and how much she can afford to pay.

2. Migrant Prostitutes

Prostitutes with a Residence Permit, a “Certificate of Profession” and a “Permit of Residence in Specified Quarters in order to Exercise Prostitution” are accepted as members of private health insurance.

Insurance programs and schemes vary in cost and service. It depends on the interest of the client which insurance fits and how much she can afford.

3. Migrants without Legal Status

Migrants without legal status cannot be taken on by private health insurance schemes.

2. Other Social Security Schemes

Other social security schemes are only available for self-employed prostitutes, since employment is illegal.

As long as the woman has a residence permit, a “Certificate of Profession” and a “Permit of Residence in Specified Quarters in order to Exercise Prostitution” she is entitled to register with the general social security system.

Employed sex workers other than prostitutes can register with the social welfare system like other employees.