OBJECTIVES: One of the most significant effects of economic crisis in Greece is the rising number of unemployed and uninsured citizens. A large percentage of the population has lost its job and in many cases the insurance capacity.The objective of this study was to identify the problems related with the access to health care services of Greek and  immigrants who visitednon-governmental clinics in Athens, in order to receive free of charge health services. The inclusion criteria for participation in the study was the satisfactory level of understanding the Greek language, the lack of insurance or employment or alternatively being under the risk of poverty. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. The study population consisted of 100 people, Greek and migrants, living in Athens. The participants were> 18 years. The research team developed a questionnaire that included information about sociodemographic characteristics, health status, public healthservices knowledge and utilization and difficulties in health services access. The questionnaire was completed through interviews. Data analysis was performed with the IBM SPSS 19.0 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences). RESULTS: The lack of knowledge about programs which may provide access to health care services was among the most significant findings. More than 90% of the respondents reported that they were not informed about the legal arrangements voted recently for the universal coverage of uninsured population. Other significant barriers in accessing health care services included cost as 92, 1% of the respondents stated that they couldn’t afford to buy the recommended treatment and the bureaucratic procedures. CONCLUSIONS: The last law amendments ensuring accessibility of vulnerable groups to health services are definitely towards the right direction. Yet, it is important that equal access should be re-established along with the provision of integrated, qualitative and undifferentiated care.