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Tourism Minister: Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate Not Required for Greece Entry

Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis

Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis ruled out on Thursday the need for a Covid-19 vaccination certificate for travelers wishing to visit Greece this summer.

Theoharis was referring to a proposal made this week to the European Commission by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis calling for an EU-wide vaccination certificate which, he said, would facilitate travel. 

EU leaders are expected to discuss the issue during a teleconference on January 21.

Under no circumstances will a vaccination certificate become a condition for someone to travel to our country,” he said speaking on SKAI TV on Thursday.

Theoharis explained that the prime minister’s proposal is aimed at bringing the issue to the table in view of divergent policies which have created confusion among travelers. He went on to add that the goal is to achieve EU-wide agreement on a single set of health and travel protocols that will apply across the EU. 

The tourism minister agreed that vaccination certificates and rapid tests, which are “fast, efficient and cheaper”, are two “tools” that can enable travel mobility this summer.

He stressed that tests are a must for all travelers to Greece who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19. Those with a vaccination certificate will be allowed immediate entry. However, much still remains open, Theoharis said, adding that all requirements depend Covid-19 committee guidance.

Theoharis said he expects the coming summer season to be better compared to last year but noted that consumer habits have now changed, adding that there is still a great deal of uncertainty and people no longer book trips six or eight months in advance.

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  1. Renée Bergström-Merivirta Reply

    Have booked atrip to Rhodos for June29-July8, with my daughter and two grandsons.
    Both adults will be fully vaccinated by then.
    The younger child is 5 years old. The older is 11 years old.
    My question is, do we have to test both boys in advance??
    Best regars, renée Bergström-Merivirta

  2. Carl Lundberg Reply

    I don´t know. I am 64 and I am never ever going to take any Vaccin ! Not my wife either.
    If we are banned from Grecce 4-ever , than be it.
    But we are open for any pre-travel testing .
    Anytime. Life is short !
    We love Grecce !

    • Ioannis Zermas Reply

      Dear Carl, Nobody said people not having taken a Vaccine will be banned from Greece. Through PCR and rapid tests people are most welcome to travel and enjoy Paradise…oopss mean Greece !

  3. Tony Gascoigne-Bates Reply

    The UK aren’t currently issuing vaccination certificates for covid. I would imagine any plans for a certificate would need to take into account how another country would validate its authenticity. Common sense would say the easiest way would be to have a vaccination stamp in the passport. An issue for me also is that I have had a vaccine several months ago on a trial. Neither Pfizer, Oxford nor Moderna. Not sure how I would prove that

  4. Jonathan Murphy Reply

    I hope Greece isn’t missing the bigger issue here. Most countries will soon adopt the requirement for a negative Covid test as a pre-requisite for entry; but what about those that want to travel to Greece and need to return home? Travel and Tourism will be made impossible unless test facilities are widely available in Greece in order for people to meet such requirements

  5. Ioannks Reply

    I’m 20, I’ll do the vaccine whenever they allow me to.
    My sister is 15, do you know if she can do the vaccine or she has to be tested?

  6. Karen French Reply

    UK are giving out cards ove you have had your first vaccination with vaccination info (brand, batch number, date given) so I presume that will count as a ‘certificate’.

  7. Theresa Maria Tsangaris Reply

    What if I am traveling with my dogs?

  8. Pamela Wigham Reply

    What happens if a person has been vaccinated but their government are not giving out certificates of proof? Such as the UK.

    • Eleni Balatsas Reply

      That’s odd. Why wouldn’t you get a certificate or a card saying that you’ve been vaccinated?
      I still have mine from when I was a kid and it was mandatory to get polio, rubella and all other vaccinations in order to go to school.

    • Hayley Reply

      Hi Pamela, you have access to your medical records at all times, so would need a copy of your vaccinations,which should be relatively easy to get.

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