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Lockdown in Greece: Guidelines for Tourists

The Greek Tourism Ministry recently announced guidelines for visitors that are arriving, leaving or already staying in Greece during the national lockdown.

Greece has been in lockdown since November 7,  to curb the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) in the country, and movement is restricted with exceptions. According to the latest updates, the lockdown is expected to end on January 7, 2021.

According to an announcement on the tourism ministry’s website:

For visitors LEAVING Greece
Foreign tourists that are already in Greece and have to depart for their country, must have their booking/airline ticket handy when traveling towards the airport (by public transport, taxi or private car) in case a check is made by authorities.

For visitors IN Greece
Outside movement of tourists staying in Greece is allowed only for essential reasons that apply to all residents in the country. Movement outdoors is allowed by sending an SMS to the five-digit mobile phone service 13033.

The ministry advises tourists to avoid unnecessary movement outside their accommodation (hotel, resort or apartment) except for essential reasons.

“In this case the hotel should inform them of essential movement reasons and of the documents or sms required,” the ministry says.

Instructions for essential movement (documents/sms), as well as other rules, can also be found here.

For visitors ARRIVING in Greece
Visitors, who are scheduled to arrive in Greece during the lockdown period, must show their reservation for accommodation to authorities upon request, during their movement to their places of stay (hotel, resort or apartment). Travellers who are staying at a private home must have the address on their PLF. NOTE: If travellers plan to have multiple stop-overs in Greece, they must declare this and report their initial destination (on their PLF). Further information can be found here.

Useful information

– Wearing a mask is mandatory everywhere in public (indoors and outdoors).

– A night curfew is in force in Greece from 10 pm to 5 am.
During the night curfew, movement (with identification) in Greece will be allowed by sending an SMS to the five-digit mobile phone service 13033 and only for the reasons relating to health (SMS – Option 1), walking a pet close to residence (SMS – Option 6) and work (with the required employer certificate, no SMS is needed).

– Visitors in Greece should know that travel between prefectures (domestic travel) is allowed only for returning to permanent residence (proof will be required), family reunification, business reasons and health reasons.

– A number of businesses in Greece, including retail stores, bars, cafes and restaurants will remain closed during lockdown. Takeaway services are available.

For further information, press here.

Individuals caught violating movement restrictions will face strict penalties which reach up to 300 euros.

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  1. Kaharina Reply

    I want to visit my partner in Greece from Germany.Is clear I can arrive till Athens following up all procedures-The point is my final destination will be in Cyclades island via ferry which is out of Attica.As i know transfers between provinces are not allowed.What can i do in this case?PLF form is enough ? Thank you.

  2. Jacqueline Sayegh Petrides Reply

    My daughter is arriving Athens airport from London this afternoon at 18:00 pm. Can I go and pick her up from the airport wth à handwritten attestation? And which number shall I write as a reason? Is it okay to put reason number 4?

  3. Angelica Terlikas Reply

    I’m traveling to Greece to visit my sister in law on Dec 22nd-January 2nd. She was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in September. We are staying at a Airbnb not to far from her apartment apartment . Do we need to sign up to receive a text to step out of the the apartment or visit her in the hospital.Right now she in the hospital again. We will probably just travel to the hospital if she still in the hospital or visit her at her apartment.

  4. liza mackay Reply

    So, if a friend drives me to the airport…Fine while I’m there with my travel documents but what about on the way back? I don’t want them to be fined!!!

  5. Sally Reply

    The sms can only be used from a Greek mobile number, any hotel should be able to print out the form to use instead, or a handwritten paper will also do which should consist of the number for the reason to be out (6 for exercise), your name, address (hotel if you are staying in one), date & time, then sign it. ID/passport should be carried & mask worn at all times.

  6. Stuart Reply

    Great job guys! Clear
    and helpful as per tradition

  7. Sarah Yeoman Reply

    no its just being a cautious country – hence they have only had 450 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic !!!!!

    • E. Beck Reply

      I recommend WD Earnshaw to go to North Korea. If he then doesn’t notice a difference, the intelligence is rather low.

  8. Graham Burt Reply

    Hi Philip, Chris,
    I am currently living in Greece and the 13003 sms service is automated and will respond immediately if you are successful with the correct formatting of the message. However, this will only work (I believe) with a Greek phone sim. I bought a €15 PAYG sim for a month. Other friends just use a handwritten form, the correct format of which can be found on-line.

  9. Juergen Klein Reply

    How would one prove that one is travelling to a landborder? This will involve crossing provincial borders. We are in Greece with our own motorhome.

  10. WD Earnshaw Reply

    Glad I’m not in Greece……its become another North Korea….

    • Nina Simone Reply

      You have no idea what you are saying. Greece’s lockdown has saved lives. I live in New York. I’d much rather live in Greece.

  11. Philip Reply

    I am male tourist in athens age 72 l need to walk and exercise for my joints l abide by the restrictions but l need to exercise l phoned 13033 all l get is no pick up on that no what am l supposed to do until end month

    • Chris Wright Reply

      Hi Philip. – The 13033 is only for sending SMS (text message). It is an automated service so won’t answer. If you are staying at a hotel they should be able to give you the printed version of the form that you can fill out for exercise.

    • Helena Constantinou Reply

      You send an sms to 13033, write “6 your name and area”
      It’s for personal exercise or walking a pet reason

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