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Covid-19: List of Nationalities Allowed Entry in Greece for Summer 2020 Coming Soon

A list of countries from which visitors will be able to arrive and holiday in Greece as of June 15 is expected to be announced by the end of May, Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis recently said.

As initially announced when the government’s “Restart Tourism” plan was presented, Greece will release a list of a number of select countries from which air arrivals will be allowed during the post-Covid-19 period. The countries will be selected by Greek health authorities, based on their epidemiological Covid-19 profile.

Speaking to the media recently, the Greek minister said the final list will be drawn up by EODY, Greece’s public health organization, and its team of medical experts.

While leaks, during the last few days, point to 19 specific countries (including Cyprus, Bulgaria and Israel), the minister has not made comments.

“There is no list right now of the top 20 countries from which we have agreed to receive tourists from, as the criteria are set by EODY and the doctors – they will give us the final lists,” he said. “Before the end of the month, the final lists will be compiled based exclusively on health criteria,” Theoharis added.

Germany is most likely on the list

Athens Airport. Photo Source: Athens International Airport (AIA)

One country, however, expected to be on the list is Germany.

Speaking to German newspaper Bild on Tuesday, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that Germany will be included on the list, based on the (epidemiological) data Greece has seen so far.

“German tourists will be welcome in Greece from July 1 in terms of direct flights to the islands and from June 15 if they want to visit Athens,” he said.

According to Greece’s post-Covid-19 tourism plan, the country will open for tourism as of June 15 (Stage 1) and allow flights from countries with good epidemiological characteristics, to land only at Athens International Airport.

On July 1 (Stage 2) Greece will allow flights from abroad to all airports in the country and free entry of visitors from all countries.

However, countries with negative epidemiological characteristics will be excluded and constantly monitored for re-evaluation.

In its effort to open up for tourism, Greece has set health protocols for the operation of businesses and the transport of tourists in the post-coronavirus era. Already health protocols have been announced for the country’s ferries, hotels and resorts, tour buses, car rental companies and air transport.

It is noted that incoming tourists to Greece will not need to have a coronavirus test prior to travel nor will they be quarantined after arrival. However, visitors will undergo sample tests when deemed required.

At present Greece still has a measure of mandatory 14-day quarantine for passengers (of all nationalities) arriving by air, from all international destinations, in effect until May 31.

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About the Author
Nikos is Greek-American born in New York, USA, and has lived in Greece for over 30 years. He is the managing editor of Greece's leading monthly travel and tourism guide, the Greek Travel Pages (GTP) since June 2008 and of news site GTP Headlines since its launch in September 2012. Nikos has also served as international press officer for the City of Athens and for the mayor. He has a degree in Mass Media and Communications, specializing in Journalism. Nikos is a native English speaker and speaks Greek fluently.
  1. Fiona Cunningham Reply

    Will Northern Ireland be grouped with the UK ? We are after all a different island and managing very well. Hope this is taken into account.

  2. Carl Lundberg Reply

    Will Swedes be banned from visiting Greece during 2020 ?

  3. Maria Kyriakodis Reply

    Canada and China have the same rates and cases, but Canada was not included in the leak list. I hope we get accepted in this list. I need to see my family…

  4. TR Reply

    Canada is doing a lot better than some EU countries… why are we excluded? We are still in lock down and have not gone anywhere since March 16.

    • Jurgen Van Den Bogaert Reply

      Hoe does thé Greek government verify that statistics can be trusted ? So if you don’t count sick people like some countries you can go on holiday in Greece ????

  5. hans krist Reply

    The Netherlands are doing good in the covid measuring but are not allowd, other counties have a much more covid risico are allowd to Greece.
    Strange,but one airport in the Netherlands is not on the blacklist we can fly of there to Greece.

  6. Zak Reply

    Will there be a quarantine or other restriction if arriving in Athens on 4th June with a Swiss passport ?

  7. Silver Fox Reply

    I note the UK is missing from the leaked list of Countries but China isn’t ??

  8. Olga Reply

    Will Greece include in that list visitors from Russia? We would like to visit Greece in July.

  9. Uli Reply

    will there be compulsary quarantine from June 1 to June 14??

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