Is Greece open for travel?

Is Greece open for travel?

Athens Greece

Yes, from May 14th, Greece has allowed tourists all over the world to visit the country for the summer vacation in the suggestion to help the travel and tourism sector to recover from the loss that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Greece is allowing restriction-free entries to all the arrivals from many countries that have currently reported few cases of infection of COVID-19.

Below is a list of the countries that are allowed to travel to Greece following the COVID-19 protocol:

  • Andorra
  • Iceland 
  • Switzerland
  • Norway
  • San Marino
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Kuwait
  • Lebanon
  • Israel
  • Russia
  • Saudi Arabia
  • New Zealand
  • Serbia 
  • Turkey
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • USA
  • Singapore, and many more. 

 

Lately, the Greek government has announced that the passengers from Russia who are traveling to Greece are required to show a negative test result of COVID-19. And they have to take another test after they arrive in the country. 

COVID-19  Protocols to be followed:

For tourists who want to enter Greece, they must fill up the Passenger Locator Form, the day before their arrival. They are required to fill up the necessary information on their departure location, the time duration of their previous stays in the other countries, and the address where they will stay in Greece. 
 
All the passengers have to submit a negative Covid test result that is collected within 72 hours before arrival to Greece. The vaccines that are approved in Greece are Pfizer-BioNTech, Novavax, Johnson & Johnson, Sinovac Biotech, Sputnik V, among others. 

To get further information about how to travel to Greece and what are the COVID-19 protocols, measures have to follow, visit the website Destination Greece Health First for detailed information.

Greek Island Beach

 

Passenger Locator Form(PLF)

You will be able to find this form on the -Visit Greece app on both (IOS) and (Android).  
-you can also find it on travel.gov.gr 

Use of masks:

The use of a face mask is mandatory in crowded places, public transportation and the surrounding environment. 

 

 

Public Transportation:

Public transportation is regulated at a reduced capacity to avoid crowds. If you want to travel by bus or train you are required to provide proof of a fully vaccinated certificate. 

Restaurants, Nightclubs and bars:

Restaurants, nightclubs and bars are open for fully vaccinated and customers who have recently recovered from Covid. The seating is limited to a maximum number of 10 people on a table.

Customers are allowed to dine outside with proof of a negative test report. 

Shops:

Shops are opened with perfect safety measures and Covid protocols. Customers are required to cover their mouth and nose with a face mask, they need to sanitize their hands and maintain a social distance of about 2 feet. 

Can I travel to Greece right now?

You can only travel to Greece now if you are a resident of or coming from the EU/Schengen area countries like the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Iceland. 

Greece has banned tourists to visit from some countries like Afghanistan, Jamaica, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq and more but the above list is allowed to travel to Greece with proper documents.

Travel Restrictions and Guidelines for Those Visiting Greece?

Since Greece has started their tourism industry to cover up their losses incurred due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Greece has allowed many countries to travel but it has given some Covid protocols and guidelines that have to be followed by tourists. 

Mandatory COVID Tests:

The person traveling to Greece must be fully vaccinated and should have received the last dose of vaccine at least 14 days before the arrival. The person should have to provide a PCR test on arrival. But in case if the person is not vaccinated one must provide a negative PCR Covid test result which is obtained 72 hours before the entrance to Greece. He has to show a negative rapid antigen test result within 48 hours of the arrival or proof of recovery from Covid. 

Special Guidelines for Russian Travellers:

Tourists who are traveling from Russia have to provide proof of negative PCR test results obtained within 72 hours before they arrived in Greece. Or have to show a negative rapid antigen result that is collected 48 hours before entry in Greece, to confirm whether they are fully vaccinated or not. After the entrance in Greece, the tourist may also go under a PCR test to check if they are COVID positive or negative.

 

 

Covid Protocols to be Followed After The Arrival:

All the travelers will be accounted to undergo a rapid test. And if the test result is positive then they will have further PCR tests and be kept under quarantine for about 10-14 days.

The expenses for quarantine and hotel will be covered by the Greek government.

What are The Countries That Can Only Travel to Greece?

There are many guidelines that the Greece government has listed. There are still many countries whose tourists are not allowed to visit Greece.

Is PCR Testing Mandatory to Travel to Greece?

PCR testing is one of the compulsory things that have to be followed if one wants to visit Greece. The unvaccinated tourists have to provide negative PCR test results collected before 72 hours of arrival. Or they must have to show a negative antigen test before 48 hours of entrance or proof of recovery from Covid is mandatory. 

The government will not allow you to board the flight without proof of a certificate of a negative Covid test result, a proof of full vaccination. Children who are under the age of 12 years are free from any test requirements. 

Is There a Mandatory Quarantine Upon Arrival in Greece?

No, there is no such mandatory rule of quarantine of the travelers on arrival in Greece. But If they are tested positive in a random test on their arrival then they have to be kept under quarantine for about 10-14 days after which they are released on negative and recovery test reports.

Should I get Travel Insurance?

Yes, if you are planning to travel to Greece you should buy travel insurance. In case you already have one, you can check the policy for what cover it provides for coronavirus-related events such as the amount of medical treatment cover, travel disruptions, and quarantine-related expenses.

Some other aspects to consider:

  • Make sure you have taken the necessary precautions to safeguard your possessions and yourself. Most of the visits are trouble-free but be prepared for possible threats to yourself or your personal stuff.
  • In recent times some unrest in the Islands of Chios and Samos have arisen in response to the increasing number of immigrants coming in from Turkey and other places. DO not take part in events with large gatherings and avoid all demonstrations.
  • Behaving indecently can land you in jail and Greek courts charge heavy fines so do not drink and be in public places when drunk. Also avoid drugs, alcohol, and nitrous oxide substances and have no involvement with anyone in possession of these.
  • The emergency number of Greek emergency services is 112 which you can contact in case of any time of any challenging situation.
  • It is illegal to smoke in all indoor public spaces, so be very careful about choosing a place to smoke.
  • Avoid carrying meat, milk, and all products containing them as all of the EU has strict guidelines for that.
  • Do not carry knives or any weapons for which you do not have a license from the local authorities.
  • If you purchase any goods or services keep the receipts with you in case you have to prove that it is yours.
  • Lastly, ensure that you carry your id and passport copy with you as there may be situations where they need to confirm nationality

Things to do in Greece

 

 

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