do not have their original diplomas of study or other relevant certification,1130 while in GCR’s experience, they cannot even issue copies of them in Greece, despite the European Qualification Passport for Refugees (EQPR), which could be used to recognise studies from third countries outside the EU. D. Health care Indicators: Health Care 1. Is access to emergency healthcare for asylum applicants guaranteed in national legislation? Yes No 2. Do asylum applicants have adequate access to health care in practice? Yes Limited No 3. Is specialised treatment for victims of torture or traumatised asylum applicants available in practice? Yes Limited No 4. If material conditions are reduced or withdrawn, are asylum applicants still given access to health care? Yes Limited No L 4368/2016, which provides free access to public health services and pharmaceutical treatment for persons without social insurance and vulnerable social groups 1131 is also applicable for asylum applicants and members of their families.1132 However, in spite of the favourable legal framework, actual access to health care services has been consistently hindered in practice by significant shortages of resources 1133 and capacity for both foreigners and the local population, as the public health sector is under extreme pressure and lacks the capacity to cover all the needs for health care services. Moreover, Article 55 IPA, subsequently replaced by Article 59 (2) Asylum Code, introduced a new Foreigner’s Temporary Insurance and Health Coverage Number (Προσωρινός Αριθμός Ασφάλισης και Υγειονομικής Περίθαλψης Αλλοδαπού, PAAYPA) replacing the AMKA for asylum seekers.1134 Article 59 (2) provides that PAAYPA is to be issued to asylum applicants together with their asylum applicant’s card.1135 With this number, asylum applicants are entitled free of charge to access the necessary health, pharmaceutical and hospital care, including the necessary psychiatric care where appropriate. The PAAYPA is deactivated if the applicant loses the right to remain on the territory.1136 An October 2022 Joint Ministerial Decision (JMD) regarding access of international protection applicants to health care services, medical and pharmaceutical care, social security, the labour market, provides further clarifications on the acquisition of a PAAYPA number.1137 For every applicant for international protection, a PAAYPA number is issued. This number is unique and corresponds to the number of the applicant’s international protection card. 1138 The competent service for the procedure of PAAYPA issuance is the Asylum Service. The latter proceeds with the issuance of the PAAYPA when registering the application for international protection and writes the PAAYPA number on the international protection applicant’s card.1139 PAAYPA holders benefit from primary and secondary health care upon presentation of their international protection applicant card. 1140 The PAAYPA number remains active as long as there is an active international protection applicant’s card and is renewed automatically with the renewal of the applicant’s card. The validity of PAAYPA is equivalent to the duration of the applicant’s card, except for pregnant women, whose number remains valid for one year. 1141 For UAM applicants for international protection, PAAYPA remains active even after the issuance or service of a decision rejecting their asylum 1130 1131 1132 1133 1134 1135 1136 1137 1138 1139 1140 1141 For instance, as per the aforementioned ongoing survey carried out under the auspices of UNHCR between February 2022 and March 2024, 44% of applicants (registered or pending registration) who had an undergraduate or higher degree of education, did not have original copies with them. UNHCR, Inter-Agency Protection Monitoring for Refugees in Greece: Key findings, available at: https://tinyurl.com/3z6t3y9f. Article 33 L 4368/2016, as amended with Article 38 par. 1 of L. 4865/2021. Article 59 (2) Asylum Code referring to Article 33 L. 4368/16. For the impact of the ten years of financial crisis and the austerity measures on the Greek public Health System, see Amnesty International, Greece: resuscitation required – the Greek health system after a decade of austerity, April 2020, available at: https://bit.ly/3cAKeG0. See Content of international protection. Article 59 (2) Asylum Code. Article 59 (2) Asylum Code. Ministerial Decision 605869 (Β' 5392/18.10.2022). Article 1(3) of Ministerial Decision 605869/2022. Article 2(1) of Ministerial Decision 605869/2022. Article 3 of Ministerial Decision 605869/2022. Article 6(1), (2) of Ministerial Decision 605869/2022. 208