Covid-19

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.

Since the 14th of May 2021, Greece has already opened its borders in a safe and attainable manner.

In the following paragraphs, we provide a step-by-step guide on how each visitor can prepare before traveling to Greece. 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 providing a safe hosting experience:

Travellers arriving in Greece, during the period from 19.12.2021 until 10.01.2022, regardless of nationality, their vaccination status or proof of recovery, are required to display a negative molecular test result (PCR) for Covid-19 performed up to 72 hours before the scheduled arrival or a negative Rapid Antigen test result for Covid-19 performed up to 24 hours before the scheduled arrival. The test result must be issued by a certified diagnostic center in Greek, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian or Russian and must include the name of the passenger as registered in the passport.

This test is mandatory for all visitors to the country (including children over 5 years old), regardless of the epidemiological situation in the country of departure.

Acceptable vaccines are: Pfizer BioNtech, Moderna, Astra Zeneca / Oxford, Novavax, Johnson + Johnson / Janssen, Sinovac Biotech, Gamaleya (Sputnik), Cansino Biologics, Sinopharm among others.

All travelers arriving in Greece, regardless of the certificate in their possession, may be subject to random obligatory molecular test (PCR) for COVID-19 or Diagnostic Rapid Antigen Test for COVID-19 (Rapid Test). If you are selected, please note that testing is mandatory. In case of refusal, the authorities reserve the right to refuse entry into the country. The selection is made through a system of targeted sampling with the application of a health algorithm for the best epidemiological observation and shielding of the country, used since summer of 2020.

Important clarification: The entry of visitors into the country does not imply their inclusion in vaccination. However, presenting a vaccination certificate significantly facilitates the procedures upon arrival. In any case, a vaccination or antibody certificate is not an "entry passport".

The countries from which entry is allowed, under the above conditions, without the requirement of consequent self-isolation are: EU++, San Marino, Azerbaijan, Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Vatican City, North Macedonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, United Arab Emirates, USA, United Kingdom, Japan, India, Jordan, Israel, Canada, Qatar, China, “Chinese Taipei (not recognized as a State by Greece)”, Kosovo* (*This name does not prejudice the positions of the regime and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ's opinion on Kosovo's declaration of independence), Kuwait, Belarus, Lebanon, Montenegro, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Bahrain, Brunei, New Zealand, South Korea, Ukraine, Uruguay, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Turkey, Chile.

Permanent residents of Argentina, India, Mexico, Uruguay, the Russian Federation, the Sultanate of Oman and Chile may enter the country, provided that entry is permitted herein, under the further condition that they are diagnosed negative to a mandatory molecular test (PCR) or diagnostic Rapid Antigen test for COVID-19 upon arrival.

All travellers to Greece, regardless of nationality and way of entering the country, coming from Egypt, Albania, Argentina, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Brazil, Georgia, Republic of Cuba, United Arab Emirates, India, China, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, Russian Federation and Turkey, provided their entry is allowed, can enter the country under the further condition that they are diagnosed negative to a mandatory molecular test (PCR) or diagnostic Rapid Antigen test for COVID-19 upon arrival. Exempted from the above mandatory test are those who (a) have completed at least fourteen (14) days before vaccination for coronavirus COVID-19 and present a vaccination certificate in Greek, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian, which has been issued by a Public authority or (b) present proof of recovery from COVID-19 supported by a positive COVID-19 Rapid Αntigen/ PCR test result, issued 30 days after the 1st positive diagnosis and valid up to 90 days there on.

Citizens of third countries are strongly advised to choose direct flights to Greece. In any other case, travelers must comply with the requirements of the transit country. Passengers are allowed to enter the country through all international airports and all ports under the above conditions.

According to the above, visitors are also allowed to enter from land borders, through the entrance gates of Promachonas, Ormenios, Evzoni, Nymfaia, Exochis, Nikis, Doirani, Krystallopigi, Kipi*, Kakavia, Kastania* and Mavromatiou, on a 24h base.

*For land borders of Kipi and Kastania, on a 24h basis, there is a limit of 1500 passengers per week. For the Mertziani Entrance Gate entrance is allowed from 8.00 to 20.00.

Cruising and yachting is allowed. Maritime connections with Turkey are temporarily restricted.

REQUIREMENTS FOR VISITORS

Before arrival:

Tourists are required to fill in the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) before entering the country. For more information, please click here.

Prior to departure, all travelers older than 5 years old must ensure that they carry an acceptable form of certification of their health condition.

Acceptable documents include:

- Negative result of molecular PCR test by certified diagnostic center. The test must be performed up to 72 hours before entry.

- Negative result of (Rapid) antigen test by certified diagnostic center. Τhe test must be performed up to 24 hours before entry.

Additionally, if exiting:

- A vaccination certificate issued by a certified authority.

- Certificate of recovery from SARS-CoV-2 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 90 days after that.

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:

All passengers are subject to random obligatory Rapid Antigen Covid-19 tests upon arrival.

If found positive, a ten (10) day quarantine under supervision is required for them and their companions either at home or at a designated temporary residence assigned by the appropriate authorities. Passengers who have completed the vaccination for COVID-19 at least fourteen days (14) before the scheduled flight, if found positive, need to stay in quarantine under supervision for seven (7) days, either at home or at a designated temporary residence assigned by the appropriate authorities. All above passengers are required to undertake a Molecular test (PCR) for Covid-19 on the last day of their quarantine. The costs of accommodation 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.