Dear Traveler,
We welcome you to Greece and hope you enjoy a wonderful and unforgettable holiday experience.
On behalf of the Greek Government and the Greek Ministry of Tourism, we would like to inform you that we have done everything in our power to make sure you stay safe during your stay in Greece. Your health is our absolute priority.
On May 14, Greece opened its borders in a safe and attainable manner.
In the paragraphs follow, we provide a step-by-step guide on how to prepare before travelling to Greece as of May 14th.
These guidelines are in place to ensure the protection of your health, as well as the health of your loved ones and all those involved in offering you a safe hospitality experience:
- As of May 14th, travelers arriving in Greece are required to have either a negative PCR certificate from a testing laboratory, for a Covid-19 test taken no later than 72 hours before arrival or a negative antigen (rapid) certificate taken no longer than 48 hours before arrival.
This test is mandatory for all tourists (including children over the age of 12), regardless of the epidemiological situation in the country of departure.
- Proof of a negative test is not required however for all travelers that have completed their vaccination (i.e., 14 days have elapsed since the last vaccination, depending on the doses required) and hold a vaccination certificate.
Acceptable vaccines are: Pfizer BioNtech, Moderna, Astra Zeneca/Oxford, Novavax, Johnson + Johnson/Janssen, Sinovac Biotech, Gamaleya (Sputnik), Cansino Biologics, Sinopharm among others.
- Proof of a negative PCR test is not required if the traveler was tested positive with COVID-19 in the past 30 to 180 days. This can be proved either by presenting a positive PCR molecular or an antigen test result performed by an authorized laboratory or a medical certificate confirming that the holder was tested positive with SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. The certificate is issued 30 days after the day of the first positive COVID-19 test and is valid for 180 days after it.
- Every traveler who arrives in Greece, regardless of the certificate in their possession, may undergo a random health screening. If you are selected, please keep in mind that the screening is mandatory. In case of refusal, authorities reserve the right to refuse entry into the country. The selection is made through a targeted sampling system ”EVA” used also in the summer of 2020.
- Important clarification: Entry of tourists in Greece is not subject to vaccination. Presenting a vaccination certificate greatly facilitates the procedures upon arrival. However, in no case is a vaccination or antibodies certificate considered a "passport".
- The countries from which entry is allowed, under the aforementioned conditions, without the requirement for subsequent self-isolation are: EU++ (Andorra, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican, the Principality of Monaco), USA, UK, Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrein, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, China, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kosovo* (This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence), Kuwait, Lebanon, Moldova, Montenergro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Qatar, the Russian Federation*, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Turkey, UAE, Ukraine.
*For the Russian Federation, from 30.6 passengers must carry a negative PCR molecular test result from a testing laboratory taken up to 72 hours before arrival, or a negative antigen (rapid) test result taken up to 48 hours before arrival regardless if they are vaccinated or not.
- Non EU citizens are strongly advised to choose direct flights to Greece. In any other case, travelers should abide by the stop-over country requirements.
Passengers are allowed to enter the country through all international airports and all ports.
Travellers are allowed to enter from the land borders through the entry gates of Promachonas, Ormenio, Evzonoi, Nymfaia, Niki, Doirani, Kristallopigi, Kipi*, Kakavia, Kastanies* and Exohi in a 24h basis.
*For Kipi and Kastanies land borders, there is limit of 1500 passengers per week.
Cruising and yachting is allowed. Maritime connections with Turkey are temporarily restricted.
REQUIREMENTS FOR VISITORS
Before arrival:
- Tourists must fill in the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) before arriving in Greece. For more information, please click
here.
Prior to departure, all travelers must ensure that they carry an acceptable form of certification of their health condition. Acceptable documents include:
- A negative PCR molecular test result from a laboratory; the test must be taken up to 72 hours before entry.
- A negative antigen (rapid) test result from a laboratory; the test must be taken up to 48 hours before entry.
- A vaccination certificate issued by a certified authority.
- A certificate of recovery from the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection issued by a public authority or a certified laboratory. The certificate is issued 30 days after the day of the first positive COVID-19 test and is valid for 180 days after it.
- Proof that the traveler was tested positive with COVID-19 in the past 30 to 180 days. This can be proved either by presenting a positive PCR molecular or an antigen test result performed by an authorized laboratory or a medical certificate confirming that the holder was tested positive with SARS-CoV-2 virus infection.
All certificates must include the critical information (i.e. number of doses and their respective dates) in English, German French, Italian, Spanish, Russian and the person’s full name must match the name on the passport or any other recognized travel document.
Upon arrival:
Travelers arriving in Greece are subject to:
- Sampling RAPID antigen tests at the entrance gates for selected individuals drawn from a targeted sampling system, based on the ”EVA” system.
- Mandatory isolation if they test positive for SARS-Cov-2, following a sampling test. In this case, the travelers and their travel companions are accommodated in quarantine hotels, where they will undergo further PCR testing to confirm the initial diagnosis. Guests will stay in seclusion hotels for a maximum of 10 days. The expenses of the accommodation in quarantine hotels are covered by the Greek state.
Compliance with the health protocols during transport and throughout your entire stay in Greece is the key factor that will allow all of us to stay safe and return to normality.
We appreciate your understanding and apologize in advance for any additional inconvenience.
We extend a warm thank you for the cooperation, and for choosing our country for your holidays.
We look forward to welcoming you to Greece.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR THE OPENING OF TOURISM 2021
How can one travel to Greece?
Greece is ready to welcome visitors applying advanced health protection protocols. In 2021, Greek Tourism is ready to operate with the maximum safety possible, for tourists, employees and every person involved in the provision of tourist services.
Isolation (quarantine) for visitors from abroad is no longer required. However, entry into Greece will be allowed under the following conditions:
A. Travelers must have one of the following:
- Vaccination certificate issued by an appropriate body in the traveler`s country of origin.
- Instead of a vaccination certificate, travelers are required to show either a negative PCR test conducted up to 72 hours before traveling or a negative antigen (rapid) test conducted up to 48 hours before traveling.
- Alternatively, the traveler can show proof that was tested positive with COVID-19 in the past 30 to 180 days. This can be proved either by presenting a positive PCR molecular or an antigen test result performed by an authorized laboratory or a medical certificate confirming that the holder was tested positive with SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. The certificate is issued 30 days after the day of the first positive COVID-19 test and is valid for 180 days after it.
B. All visitors must complete the electronic PLF document before traveling.
C. Upon entering Greece, visitors may undergo targeted tests. In the event of a positive result, travelers will be temporarily accommodated in an isolation hotel, free of charge. If a positive incident is detected following a sampling test at the land borders, then entry into the country may not be allowed.
What are the health protocols for the people working in the tourism sector?
Employees in the Greek tourism sector are vaccinated with the general population, according to government planning. Until their vaccination, all employees are obliged to undergo tests twice per week (self-test or rapid test). Furthermore, they are encouraged to test even more frequently, in order to ensure timely isolation.
Which vaccines are acceptable for the vaccination certificate?
Acceptable vaccines are: Pfizer BioNtech, Moderna, Astra Zeneca/Oxford, Novavax, Johnson + Johnson/Janssen, Sinovac Biotech, Gamaleya (Sputnik), Cansino Biologics, Sinopharm among others.
What applies to international flights?
As of May 14th, flight restrictions from EU countries will be lifted, as well as from a number of other countries.
Quarantine will not be required.
Furthermore, our country welcome flights at all international airports.
What will apply to land travel?
Travellers are allowed to enter from the land borders through the entry gates of Promachonas, Ormenio, Evzonoi, Nymfaia, Niki, Doirani, Kristallopigi, Kipi*, Kakavia, Kastanies* and Exohi in a 24h basis.
*For Kipi and Kastanies land borders, there is limit of 1500 passengers per week.
What about ferry connections?
As of 14/5/21 the quarantine is lifted for passengers who arrive by ferry through all the port entrances. Maritime connections with Turkey are restricted.
What will apply to guests during their stay?
During their stay in Greece, visitors must follow all measures that apply to Greek citizens.
Will there be business activity protocols?
In all tourist activities, tourist transport and tourist visits to other places of interest, the same protocols as those in 2020 will apply, with some small adjustments. These protocols have proved effective and will be updated according to epidemiological conditions. The Ministry of Tourism and the Hotel Chamber of Greece will provide certification to all lodgings that apply these protocols. Moreover, training material will be provided to the employees of these businesses, in order to ensure the correct application of all health and safety measures against Covid-19.
Will there be quarantine hotels?
The plan for the opening of Greek Tourism provides for the existence of specific isolation (quarantine) hotels near each entrance gate, as well as in other strategic points nationwide. This way, an adequate safety net for case management will be in place, combined with an early detection upon the arrival of tourists from abroad. The cost for the isolation hotels is covered by the Greek state.
Can I quarantine at my hotel if I am diagnosed with COVID-19?
Visitors who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 upon arrival can isolate at their booked hotel, only in the case the hotel is a 4* and 5* and provides the service of quarantine rooms as informed to the Civil Protection authorities. According legislation, the visitor upon arrival can request from the Civil Protection authorities to contact her/his booked hotel regarding the availability of the service.
What will apply to minors under the age of 12?
Only children under the age of 12 will not be required to undergo a PCR test.
When will the departure and arrival of private yachts be allowed and from which countries?
The departure and arrival of yachts (except those coming from Turkey) is allowed with some restrictions, while the same terms and conditions will apply both for Greek and foreign citizens.
What will apply to cruise ships?
From May 14th, cruise restrictions are completely removed, always enforcing very strict protocols that are applied to these activities.
What if the visitor’s country requires a test for his/her return?
It is possible to perform PCR or antigen tests directly at the place where each guest stays if the guest needs a test for returning home. This makes it easier for every tourist to be consistent with his/her obligations in order to safely return to his/her country.
