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Greece Travel Info: Entry Requirements, Covid-19 Testing, FAQs

The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided important updated information on travel to Greece in the post-Covid-19 era, during June 15-30 and from July 1 onwards.

Answers to frequently asked questions are included.

June 15 to June 30

Aligned with European Commission communication with regards to the ban of non-essential travel from non-EU+ countries.
EU+ consists of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Lichtenstein and Iceland.

AIR
International flights are allowed into Athens and Thessaloniki airports (continuation of ban for flights from the UK & Turkey).
Arrivals to Athens Airport: If you originate from an EU + airport on the EASA affected area list or from Belgium, France, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Albania and North Macedonia, then you will be tested upon arrival. An overnight stay either at a designated hotel or at a hotel/residence of choice (in Athens) is required. If the test is negative, the visitor is then free to move to their final destination.  If the test is positive, the visitor is quarantined under supervision for 14 days.
If your travel originated from all other origin airports, then you are only subject to random tests upon arrival. Upon being tested, the visitor is free to move to their final destination. If the test is positive, the visitor is quarantined under supervision for 14 days.
Arrivals to Thessaloniki Airport: All visitors will be tested upon arrival. An overnight stay either at a designated hotel or at a hotel/residence of choice (in Thessaloniki) is required.

LAND
The land border with Turkey, Albania and North Macedonia is open only for goods transportation services.
The land border with Bulgaria is open, also for Serbian citizens, and visitors are subject to sample testing.

SEA
Ban on arrival of ships from abroad to Greek ports.
The arrival of leisure yachts is permitted only with crew (arrival of yachts coming from Albania and Turkey is not permitted).

1st July onwards

AIR
International flights are allowed into all airports in Greece.
Additional restrictions on non-essential travel from non-EU+ countries may be applicable, pending guidance from the European Union.

LAND
Land border arrivals from Albania, North Macedonia and Bulgaria are allowed. Re-evaluation with regards to Turkey by 30 June.

SEA
Arrivals by sea are allowed.

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All visitors from air, land or sea, will be subject to random tests upon arrival. Upon being tested, the passenger is free to move to their final destination. In the event of a positive result, they will be contacted and placed on 14-day quarantine, with expenses covered by the Greek state.

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All visitors are strongly recommended to download the Visit Greece app (GDPR compliant) for free prior or upon arrival in Greece.
Visitors should complete (ideally before travel) a Passenger Locator Factor form (PLF) with their contact details in Greece. This can also be found on the Visit Greece app (will be available soon) in hard copy during the flight and at a designated web based form.

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Greece at any stage retains the right to modify any of the above in light of changing epidemiological data. A Team of Experts with the Ministry of Health evaluates the epidemiological data on a regular basis and recommends changes to restrictions.

Answers to frequent asked questions (FAQs)

Q. Who will cover the expenses of the management and hospitalization of a COVID 19 case?
A. Access to all required health services will be provided by the Greek State free of charge to visitors with no insurance coverage. In the case of EU citizens, all related costs will be covered and then handled according to EU rules and Guidance Notes.

Q: What happens if an infection is confirmed at a hotel?
A: In the event of a confirmed infection, close contacts of the case will be transferred to a separate quarantine accommodation at the expense of the Greek state. Remaining guests will continue their holidays.

Q: If someone misses their return flight because of illness or symptoms or misses prepaid accommodation is there a refund policy or other framework that could cover expenses?
A: Greece will cover transfer to hospital and medical costs as well as stay in quarantine hotel if needed. We urge airlines travel agents and hotels to offer maximum flexibility during this time of customer and regulatory uncertainty.

Q: Can a visitor provide the results of a molecular test (conducted up to 72 hours prior to arrival) to avoid being tested?
A: Subject to evaluation, such tests can be accepted.

Q: Health Protocols of Hotels. How is protocol compliance ensured? With whom should tourists communicate in case protocols are not followed?
A: The Ministry of Tourism is already preparing a focused plan of audits and we encourage all enterprises to seek third party accreditation. We have also set up a training and information website for employees and owners in order to ensure that the knowledge of the protocols is disseminated in a timely and responsible manner. Finally, we have established steep fines for those neglecting their duties. In case of complaints visitors can call the four-digit number 1572 of the Ministry Tourism.

* Please note: Restrictions, testing requirements, and mandatory quarantine measures are reported and updated based on official information provided to GTP Headlines by health and government authorities, and are subject to change – sometimes with little or no advance notice – depending on how successful Covid-19 management/infection rates reported at airports of origin and according to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) guidelines.
For answers to questions not found above, travelers are advised to contact the closest Greek Embassy or consulate prior to travel or consult directly with the airport.

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  1. Maria Reply

    Oh shut up and stop stirring it.

  2. Carol Reply

    I have Cypriot citizenship, I live in Cyprus and have been adhering to social distancing and mask wearing. I am going to France the end of July, flying from Cyprus to Athens, and then directly on to Paris. Do I need to have a test for Covid before I arrive in Athens? If I only have a random test done in Athens airport, does this mean that I will have to wait 24 hours in Athens for the results, thereby canceling the rest of the ticket to France?

    • Despina Reply

      Once COVID-19 test done at the Thessaloniki Airport upon arrival, is EVERYONE notified about the results, OR only the ones whose test is positive?

  3. Jack Reply

    Is it true that if someone on the plane tests positive then everyone else on the plane has to self isolate?

  4. Patrisa Reply

    Yunanistan çok korkak davranıyor cesur olması gerek 30 yıldır feribot kullanıyorum bundan sonra asla kullanmayacagım biletim iptal oldu halen bana dönüş yapmadılar biz orada döviz bırakıyoruyz bedava kalmıyoruz isviçreli arkadaşlarım da aynı düşüncede ispanya veya italyada kalacagız artık.

  5. Gerry Reply

    I am having great difficulty enough that Greece is NOT accepting US/American citizens but worse yet… Greece hotels, domestic airlines and ferries ARE NOT REFUNDING AND ONLY PROVIDING A 18 MONTH CREDIT. UNFAIR, DISCRIMINATING AND A TERRIBLE DECISION BY THE GREEK GOVERNMENT THAT SHOULD BE REPEALED/AMENDED IMMEDIATELY!!!

    • Traveltheworld Reply

      If you put it on a credit card initiate a charge-back. Goods and services were not provided, you will get your money back most likely.

      While those businesses might be lacking revenue, you didn’t agree to an interest free loan for 18 months.

  6. Stella Reply

    As a UK citizen I have been travelling to Greece for over 35 years, and have lived there for periods of time. And probably spent thousands and thousands of pounds there over the years. I feel it is all political and citizens of the UK are being treated differently because of brexit and other reasons. I have lost my love of Greece and it will be unlikely that I will ever go there again.

    • Jl Reply

      Or because the UK have done a poor job in controlling the virus,I don’t blame Greece in the slightest.Though looks like we will be allowed in soon anyway.

  7. Manoj Reply

    How Indian seafarers can join the ship , , what’s the quarantine procedures .

  8. Anne Reply

    Char yes they could be tested the day before travel and it could be negative and the day they travel they could actually be positive .

  9. Jennifer Neal Reply

    Yesterday a UK passenger travelled from a UK airport to Frankfurt then to Athens. The passenger was not tested for C19 at Athens then flew directly to Chania travelling to were his apartment is in Paleochora (he has Greek residency). He was told he doesn’t have to self isolate and is mixing with people in the village. Is this correct? There are many elderly people in the village.

    • Lizzy Reply

      I can see you still in hands of the sick propaganda. This pandemic is a hoax, wake up!

      • melanie Lamin Reply

        a dear friend of ours, living in the UK, was recently discharged from hospital after being there for 47 days, she nearly died in fact. This ‘hoax’ virus has left her with a catalogue of seriously, disabling side-effects many of which, she will never recover from. We know this as FACT………..it is you who should wake up Lizzie

      • Maria Reply

        I agree! Hoax, they putting covid 19 on all certificates,

  10. Teresa Lazur Reply

    What about travelers from the US?

    • James Parker Reply

      There is additionally scrutiny for US travellers at the check in counter unless you have a residence permit or passport for an EU nation. Passengers with US only travel documents were barred from flying yesterday at Brussels airport. As far as we know, Greece was their final destination. Flights from the US to Greece are not operating directly. It is also not possible to travel to Europe/the E.U. unless you have an EU travel document until 30Jun20. Be careful when arranging. That date has changed a number of times.

    • Traveltheworld Reply

      I tried contacting the Greek Consulate but no reply. I wish they would say something. The very vague “we might change something, but we won’t tell you what” just doesn’t cut it. It is less than 2 weeks from July 1st, how is anyone supposed to plan.

    • Constantine Reply

      Waiting on that too. I have a flight delta direct to Athens in July. Have a feeling Merkel will say NO to US citizens and Greece will have to comply.

  11. Sarah Johnson Reply

    what is the website for training and information please

  12. Christine McInery Reply

    My android phone cannot find Visit Greece app. Is it available in uk?

    • GTP editing team Reply

      Hello Christine.
      The Visit Greece App is coming soon. An announcement will be made.
      For more info: https://news.gtp.gr/2020/06/14/new-visit-greece-app-to-offer-whole-new-experience-to-tourists/

      • Char Reply

        Everyone should be tested wherever they come from. Even better if everyone was tested 24 hours before they are due to come that. Will put the numbers down of people with virus.

        • Michael Powell Reply

          But the British would either lose it or send it to America – who’d probably lose it. In the unlikely event of a result, that would come far too late to be any use. The UK – Brexitland – is now a third (or even fourth) World country.

          • Paul green

            What a Bell End

        • Chase Reply

          Turn off the media switch on your brain and the pandemic would go. Warrantied!

    • D Reply

      Yes ,we will wait and see ,it’s changing all the time

      • Despina Reply

        Once COVID-19 test done at the Thessaloniki Airport upon arrival, is EVERYONE notified?
        OR just the ones with positive results?

      • Sophie Reply

        Hi, if we have a document showing a test done in the 72 hours before coming to Greece, where do we show it? In the airport? Or do we have to send it with the document filled? Many thanks.

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