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Greece to Accept Negative Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Tests for Entry

Negative test result by using rapid test device for COVID-19. Photo: Shutterstock 1656883729

Photo source: Shutterstock

Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis recently said that Greece will soon permit entry for travelers who present negative rapid antigen tests on arrival, as proof that they are not infected with the coronavirus (Covid-19).

During a tourism-related meeting with the regional governor for Central Macedonia, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the minister said that the government aims to facilitate the travel process of visitors to Greece, from the moment they enter the country until their departure.

“When someone comes to and leaves our country, we want them to have the least possible difficulties,” Theoharis said, adding that in the coming days the country’s health committee of experts will allow Greek authorities to accept negative rapid antigen tests as an entry requirement, in addition to negative PCR tests.

“This will curb a big problem which is the cost of the PCR test before someone comes from abroad to our country, but especially for visitors from the Balkans, where the cost of this test in relation to the average salary is disproportionate,” the minister said without giving further details.

According to Theoharis, Russians and travelers from the Balkan countries are showing a high interest for holidays in Northern Greece this year.

For rules and requirements for entering Greece, press here.

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  1. Valerio Reply

    Now travel.gov.gr is uptodate:

    – Instead of a vaccination certificate, travelers are required to show either a negative PCR test conducted up to 72 hours before traveling or a negative antigen (rapid) test conducted up to 48 hours before traveling.

    Enjoy your flight ; – )

  2. fergy Reply

    all the other countries accept antigenic fast tests, hopefully greece will do the same in a couple of days! no need to fake anything when people can afford a test and more money into greek tourism!

  3. Martin+Lavelle Reply

    Will this also apply to anti-gen tests that have been self administered or will I still have to use a clinic?

    • Valerio Reply

      Self-made Antigen tests are not valid from abroad.
      Antigen tests are valid only for DOMESTIC flights (but not the self-made)

  4. Janette A Richardson Reply

    It makes you think I just won’t bother paying the balance on my hols to Rhodes due to test confusion and expense. We don’t go until 28th Aug bal due in a month, needs to be green and test reasonable price by then or the money stays in my account.
    As much as I love Greece I will have to wait for all Green and have a three week treat to celebrate hopefully next year if I can transfer booking.

  5. Diana Hewitt Reply

    Hi
    You can go back into the UK with the correct Lateral Flow Antigen Test – see the link below to the Govt guidance for England: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england

  6. Sally F Reply

    Unfortunately we will still need a PCR to come back into the UK if Greece stays in amber. It’s a pity the UK government doesn’t have the same attitude as the Greeks!

  7. kety Reply

    When is soon? We can’t vaccinate children and we have to pay almost 80e per child!
    if you have 2 children it is 160e, for that money we stay 3 days more at sea

    • Cd Reply

      That’s cheap! Canada cost is $200 for each PCR test

  8. camillo Reply

    I prefer to spend 200+ euro in greece hospitality services than wasting them in pcr tests.

  9. Artemis Reply

    Yes i hope it can be possible from july 1st. Pcr tests are pure gambling, so many times they release the result after more than 72hr and they take no responsability for it.

  10. Henry Beutler Reply

    Thanks , hope this will soon end this expensive test buisness in some countries
    Hb

  11. R Ferguson Reply

    Wish this had been thought off earlier we have paid £360 for pcr tests, as Greece is still in Amber. What is the cost of a lateral flow test before leaving Crete.

    • Valerio Reply

      PCR should cost 60€ , Fast antigen 20€

  12. Valerio Reply

    Finally, I hope this will come into effect asap! Nowadays doing pcr tests is only business (as many other things regarding covid)

    • KielTraveler Reply

      I really hope this is going to change until 30 June. I will get my second vaccine tomorrow 16 June and thought 14 days after the second jab would be enough to enter the country without a pcr test but it seems it’s actually 15 days so I would have to pay for a pcr test for just one day.

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