OBJECTIVES: Roma people compose a vulnerable minority with poor health which has been the subject of discrimination. The aim was to provide a valid estimate of the health status of Roma people in Greece, by using the validated instrument of the SF-36 questionnaire, which has been widely used in previous surveys of general and clinical populations, and also to determine whether SF-36 is a valid and reliable instrument in assessing self-assessed health status of Roma population METHODS: The study was carried out in 2009 in two geographically dispersed Roma settlements in Greece. A sample of 433 Roma people was face to face interviewed. The survey included the SF-36, questions on socio-demographic and health related characteristics, health service use and factors associated with material deprivation. Construct validity was investigated with “known group” validity testing and reliability with chronbach alpha coefficient. Statistical significance was accepted at the 5% level. All statistical analyses were undertaken using SPSS v.17. RESULTS: Roma responders are young with mean age of 33.5 years old. However they rate their health very low with highest score in PF (66.1%) and the lowest score in MH (41.5%). RP and RE scales had high ceiling and floor effects. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient met the criterion (>0.70) for all eight scales with two exceptions. SF-36 scale scores distinguished well, and in the expected manner, between groups of respondents providing evidence of construct validity. Significant statistical differences in mean scores were observed in relation to demographic characteristics, socio-economic status, existence of chronic disease, health services utilization and variables related to material deprivation. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the validity and reliability of the SF-36 when used in assessing Roma’s health. On the other hand, Roma experience social exclusion and deprivation which profoundly affect their health. Tackling the poor health of Roma acquires certain public health interventions and health promotion programs.