Greece, one of the most popular summer holiday destinations in the Mediterranean, welcomes travelers since July 1st following the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
The Greek government carries out the necessary diagnostic screening and aims to keep everyone safe throughout the season (2020).
Who can travel to Greece?
Travelers from EU countries and from Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, as well as Andorra, Monaco, Vatican City State, and the Republic of San Marino can enter Greece without restrictions.
Residents from the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, China*, UAE** can also enter Greece.
*subject to confirmation of reciprocity.
** Permanent residents of the UAE may arrive only by direct flights in Greece. In order to enter the territory of Greece, permanent residents of UAE is necessary to present to the air border control authorities:
- Proof of permanent residence in the UAE
- Return tickets and hotel reservations.
- Health Checks (PCR COVID-19 test 72h before departure)
- Passenger Locator Form (PLF)
- Travel insurance
There are exceptions for Belgium, Bulgaria, Malta, Netherlands, Romania, Spain and Sweden.
Passengers of flights from Bulgaria, Romania, U.A.E., Malta, Sweden, Belgium, Spain, Netherlands, Albania and the Republic of North Macedonia will be required to have a negative molecular test result (PCR) for COVID-19, performed up to 72 hours before their entry to Greece. This does also apply to Greek citizens, permanent residents of Greece and travelers for essential professional reasons. Travelers should be tested with RT-PCR of the oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal swab.
Only travelers who carry a certificate of a negative RT-PCR test result will be allowed by the border authorities to enter the country. The certificates should be written in English and bear the name and passport/national ID number of the traveler.
The accepted laboratories that perform the RT-PCR testing can be:
– National Reference laboratories
– National Public Health Laboratories
– Private laboratories which are accredited from the respective national accreditation authorities (not necessarily specifically for COVID-19).
Certificates that do not fulfill the above criteria will not be accepted.
Children under 10 years old are not subject to the obligation to a PCR test.
The same requirement will apply to all visitors entering Greece via its land borders. This applies to ALL travelers including Greek citizens, permanent residents of Greece and travelers for essential professional reasons.
In addition to this, all visitors arriving by air, land or sea transport will be subject to random tests upon arrival. After being tested, travelers will be allowed to move to their final destination. In the event of a positive result, they will be contacted and placed on 14-day quarantine, with expenses covered by the Greek state.
Greece extends the ban on flights between Greece and Turkey until September 15 and temporarily suspends all flights to and from Catalonia in Spain.
Visa Requirements for Greece
Currently, citizens from 105 non-EU countries or entities are required to have a visa. Visit this page to learn if you need a tourist visa for Greece.
Before Entering Greece
Twenty four hours before entering Greece, visitors will have to fill in a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) where they will provide their contact details in the country.
All travelers must complete their PLF until the day before entering the country, providing detailed information on their point of departure, the duration of previous stays in other countries, and the address of their stay while in Greece. In case of multiple stays, they are required to provide the address for the first 24 hours at least. One PLF should be submitted per family.
Targeted and random testing will take place to aid the epidemiological research.
Travelers will receive a confirmation email upon submission of the PLF.
Travelers will receive the PLF with their unique Quick Response (QR) code on the day of their scheduled arrival in Greece (at midnight) and will be notified via email (the QR code will be provided in a link in the confirmation email).
Travelers boarding or embarking on the previous day of the arrival will be allowed to do so upon showing the confirmation email, since they will receive their QR code during their flight or voyage.
Travelers are requested to show their QR code either on their mobile phone screen or in print. If travel departure begins prior to the day of arrival, travelers are allowed to board after showing the confirmation email (and not necessarily the QR code which is scheduled to arrive during their trip.)
Depending on their QR code/confirmation, travelers are directed either to the screening area where they will be tested for the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 by a trained health team or to the exit (to baggage claim area or passport control).
Which land points of entry are open for essential travel?
Essential travel is allowed through Nymfaia, Krystallopigi, Kakavia, Kipi, Evzones and Promachonas points of entry. As of Friday August 7th, 2020 at 11 pm (GMT+3) entry from Nymfaia, Krystallopigi, Kakavia, Kipi, Evzones, Ormenio border stations is allowed for essential travel daily only from 7 am until 11 pm. As of Monday, August 17th at 00.01 (GMT+3) all those entering from BCPs Kakavia, Krystallopigi, Evzoni, Nymfeas and Kipi should have the PLF and QR code and additionally hold a negative COVID-19 PCR test 72h prior their arrival. From Sunday, August 16th, only 750 travelers per day will be allowed to enter from BCP Kakavia, and only 300 travelers from BCP Krystallopigi.
All travelers entering Greece for non-essential reasons through Promachonas border station in Bulgaria, are obliged to present upon arrival a negative molecular test result (PCR) for COVID-19, performed up to 72 hours before their entry to Greece.
All visitors from air, land or sea, will be subject to random tests upon arrival. Upon being tested, travelers move to their final destination. In the event of a positive result, they will be contacted and placed on 14-day quarantine, with expenses covered by the Greek state.
Documents You Need for Travel in Europe
Check what travel documents you’ll need to travel in Europe. And find out what documents you need for your spouse, children or other relatives if they are not EU nationals
During your stay in Greece
The Greek government asks that a safe distance be kept among shop owners and customers; that a limit is imposed on the number of customers per square footage when indoors; and that a face mask is used in all public transport means, in taxis, hospitals, and when visiting government services buildings and certain shops.
In case of complaints, visitors can call the four-digit number 1572 of the Ministry Tourism.
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