COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Greece (19 July Update)

*Can a resident enter the country? *

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter the country.

*Can a foreigner enter the country? *

• No with exceptions

• Travellers arriving from European Union & Schengen Area countries, and permanent residents of USA, UK, Albania, Australia, Bahrain, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, China, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Qatar, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, UAE, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Jordan, Moldova, Brunei and Kosovo are allowed to enter Greece.

• Travel from countries not mentioned on the list above is only permitted for essential reasons.

• All other third-country nationals are banned from entering Greece at any point of entry, including air, sea, rail and road connections. Seasonal workers engaged in agriculture, fisheries and third-country nationals who obtain valid residence permits are also excluded from the ban.

*Is transit allowed through the country? *

• Yes

• Transit is allowed through the country without restrictions.

*Is a test required on arrival? *

• Yes with exceptions

• All travellers from Russia are required to undergo mandatory rapid antigen tests at the airport upon arrival.

• Arriving passengers may be subjected to random COVID-19 diagnostic rapid tests upon arrival. If selected, the check is mandatory. Travellers failing to comply will be refused entry to Greece.

• Depending on their QR code obtained after completing the Passenger Locator Form, travellers are directed either to the screening area where they will be tested for COVID-19 or to exit to the baggage claim area or passport control.

• The test results are expected to become available within 24 hours. During that time, passengers who are tested are advised to practice social distancing according to local guidelines and self-monitor for symptoms that could indicate COVID-19. Any traveller with symptoms should contact the National Public Health Organization's Operations Centre.

• Children under the age of twelve (12) are exempted from COVID-19 requirements, including testing.

*Is a test certificate accepted? *

• Yes

• Certificates for a negative COVID-19 test issued in other countries are accepted if they are from a national reference laboratory, a national public health laboratory, or a private laboratory that is nationally accredited.

• The certificates must be issued by a public authority and in one of the following languages: Greek, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian.

• Certificates that do not meet the required criteria will not be accepted.

• Greek authorities also accept in either digital or printed form, a European digital COVID-19 certificate containing information about their vaccination or recovery status or the results of the last test taken. For more details click here.

*Test certificate required? *

• Yes with exceptions

• All eligible travellers over the age of 12 arriving in Greece should present one of the following documents:

• A certificate for a negative PCR test performed up to 72 hours before the scheduled arrival or a negative diagnostic Rapid Antigen Test for COVID-19 performed within 48 hours prior to scheduled arrival in Greece. The certificate must be in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian or Russian, and the passenger’s full name must be displayed as registered in the passport.

• A documentary proof certifying that the traveller has received the complete course of vaccination at least 14 days before arrival to Greece. The vaccination certificate must include the name of the passenger, the type of vaccine administered and the number of doses. Currently, Pfizer BioNtech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/Oxford, Novavax, Johnson + Johnson/Janssen, Sinovac Biotech, Gamaleya (Sputnik), Cansino Biologics, Sinopharm are among the accepted list of vaccines.

• Proof of recovery proof of a negative PCR test is not required if the traveller 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 for COVID-19. The certificate is issued 30 days after the day of the first positive COVID-19 test and is valid for 180 days after it.

• Alternatively, travellers to Greece may carry, in digital or printed form, an EU COVID-19 Digital Certificate. This certificate is not a mandatory travel document. The certificate will contain information on whether passengers have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a negative PCR/rapid test result or have recovered from the virus.

• Travellers from Russia must carry a PCR test certificate issued 72 hours before travel or a rapid antigen test performed 48 hours before travel regardless of their vaccination/recovery status.

• Children below twelve (12) years of age are exempted from the test requirements.

*Is quarantine required on arrival? *

• No with exceptions

• Visitors from abroad are no longer required to quarantine on arrival.

• International travellers who test positive for COVID-19 during the random rapid test on arrival (depending on the data provided on the PLF forms) will be transported to quarantine hotels and undergo further PCR tests to confirm the initial diagnosis. Unvaccinated travellers testing positive will be required to stay in quarantine for a maximum of 10 days, while fully vaccinated travellers will be required to stay in quarantine for 7 days.

• In both cases, travellers will have to take a PCR test on the last day of their quarantine. The traveller will be permitted to exit quarantine subject to obtaining a negative result on the test.

• Based on the above restrictions, the travellers will either be exempted from quarantine or required to spend up to 10 days in quarantine depending on the test result.

*Is vaccination required? *

• No with exceptions

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not mandatory for entry into the country.

• Permanent residents from Montenegro will be permitted entry to Greece subject to presenting a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, stating that 14 days have passed since the completion of vaccination and a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours before travel.

• Entry of tourists in Greece is not subject to vaccination. Presenting a vaccination certificate facilitates the procedures upon arrival. Vaccination certificates must be issued by a public authority and in one of the following languages: Greek, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian. However, in no case is a vaccination or antibodies certificate considered a “passport”.

Insurance required?

• No

• Proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 expenses is not required to enter the country.

*Entry form required? *

• Yes

• All travellers arriving at any border (air, land, or sea) must complete the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) no later than 23:59 hours of the day before arrival in Greece. Failure to submit this form in advance may result in the carrier not allowing the traveller to board, a fine on arrival, or the Greek authorities not allowing entry or re-entry into the country. The traveller will receive a QR code once the form is completed. This code must be shown on request either in print form or on a mobile phone. Airlines will ask travellers to prove that the PLF form has been completed and anyone without the confirmation may be denied boarding. One PLF should be submitted per family.

• On arrival in Greece, travellers will need to show the QR code to Greek authorities.

• Travellers 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.

• Greek residents who are passengers of international flights leaving Greece are also required to fill in the Passenger Locator Form (PLF).

• Travellers arriving by ferry must complete an additional form for “Pre Boarding Information”, in addition to the Passenger Locator Form.

• Ferry passengers must fill out a health declaration questionnaire before travelling from the mainland to the Greek islands.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• It is strongly recommended that all visitors download the free Visit Greece app prior to their arrival in Greece.

• It is also mandatory to upload necessary documents to Covid Free GR and acquire a “COVID Free Badge” before entering catering establishments, bars, cafes and other public venues.

Airline restrictions

• Minimal

• International and domestic commercial flights are operating.

• Passengers are allowed to enter the country through all international airports.

• Non-EU citizens are strongly advised to choose direct flights to Greece. In any other case, travellers should abide by the stop-over country requirements.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• Passengers are allowed to enter the country through the ports of Patras, Igoumenitsa, and Corfu.

• Land border arrivals through Promachonas and Ormenio are allowed on a 24-hour basis and through Evzonoi and Nymfaia from 07:00 to 23:00 hours (local time).

• Sea connections with Turkey and Albania are not available except for cargo shipments.

• Land borders with Albania, Turkey, and North Macedonia are open for essential travel only.

• Cruising and yachting are allowed.

• Pleasure craft and tourist boats, regardless of the vessel’s flag or carrying capacity and carrying up to forty-nine (49) passengers, are free to enter the Greek ports, provided they do not originate from countries for which special restrictions apply.

Curfew restrictions

• Moderate

• The nationwide night curfew has been lifted.

• There is a night curfew in effect in Mykonos from 01:00 to 06:00 until 26 July. Movement of people is only allowed for work or health reasons.

Social restrictions

• Moderate

• Public gatherings are limited to a maximum of nine people.

• Anyone attending public or house gatherings will be fined.

• The authorities have imposed several social restrictions in Mykonos due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in the islands. More details can be found here

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• Movement restrictions have been lifted. The forms and SMS messages for seeking permission for domestic movement have been abolished.

• Residents and foreign nationals are allowed to travel to the islands. Ferry passengers must fill out a health declaration questionnaire before traveling from the mainland to the Greek islands.

• Until 26 July 2021, all passengers aged 12 years or older travelling within Greece by air or ferry to the Greek islands must provide either:

• Proof of full vaccination received at least 14 days prior to travel; or

• A negative PCR test no older than 72 hours; or negative rapid antigen test taken 24 hours prior to travel or

• EU Digital COVID Certificate or an equivalent digital certificate for non-EU travellers.

• Documentary proof of recovery from COVID-19 issued thirty days after the traveller first tested positive for COVID-19 (the certificate is valid for entry to Greece 180 days after its issue date).

• Some travellers are exempted from the above mentioned internal travel restrictions. Click here for more details.

*Non-essential shops open? *

• Yes

• Retail stores will be allowed to operate for limited business hours.

*Accommodations open? *

• Yes

• All types of accommodations are open.

*Restaurants open? *

• Yes

• Entry to some venues may be limited to vaccinated individuals.

• Restaurants are open and allowed to provide services. Travellers are required to present the “COVID Free Badge” while entering the restaurants. Travellers must upload necessary documents to Covid Free GR application to acquire the COVID Free Badge.

*Bars and cafes open? *

• Yes

• Entry to some venues may be limited to vaccinated individuals.

• Bars and cafes are open. Travellers are required to present the “COVID Free Badge” while entering bars and cafes. Travellers must upload necessary documents to Covid Free GR application to acquire the COVID Free Badge.

*Beaches and tourism sites open? *

• Yes

• Tourist areas are open with strict health protocols enforced.

• Organized beaches are open.

*Museums and heritage sites open? *

• Yes

• Museums, archaeological sites, and caves are allowed to open only with open-air spaces and social distancing measures.

• Entry to some venues may be limited to vaccinated individuals and those presenting the COVID Free badge.

*Places of worship open? *

• Yes

• Churches are allowed to hold services with social distancing measures and capacity limitations.

*Personal care services open? *

• Yes

• Hair and nail salons are allowed to operate for limited business hours.

• Entry to some venues may be limited to vaccinated individuals and those presenting the COVID Free badge.

*Events allowed? *

• Yes

• Live events are allowed in open-air venues with limited capacity.

• Entry to some venues may be limited to vaccinated individuals and those presenting the COVID Free badge.

*Masks required in public? *

• No with exceptions

• The mandate to wear masks in outdoor public spaces has been lifted. Masks remain mandatory in indoor spaces

Other

• Entry to some venues may be limited to vaccinated individuals and those presenting the COVID Free badge.

• Fishing and hunting are allowed.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practise social distancing, maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.