connect with us
Greece's latest tourism industry news by Greek Travel Pages

Greece Updates Covid-19 Entry Rules for Travelers on International Flights

The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) on Thursday extended its Covid-19 aviation directives (NOTAMs) concerning travel rules for passengers coming from abroad and restrictions for all international flights.

With regard to updates to the rules for international arrivals, the HCAA informed that all travelers to Greece can now submit the mandatory Passenger Locator Form (PLF) any time before the departure of their flight and not strictly 24 hours before, as was the case until now.

Greece’s aviation directives are part of the Greek government’s efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) in the country.

Following are the updated HCAA’s aviation directives in detail, which will be in force until Thursday, August 5, at 6am.

Travel rules for international arrivals

Who is allowed entry to Greece

People traveling for essential reasons and travelers from the following 34 non-EU countries and territories* are allowed to enter Greece – provided they have the required documentation – without the requirement for subsequent self-isolation: Australia, Northern Macedonia, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, United Kingdom, Israel, Canada, Belarus, Bahrain, New Zealand, South Korea, Qatar, China, Kuwait, Ukraine, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Japan, Lebanon, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Jordan, Moldova, Brunei, Kosovo, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican.

It is noted that Greece’s “safe list” includes all EU & Schengen Area countries.

* Regulations concerning countries on the admission list are subject to change by the Greek authorities, when renewed assessments are made based on epidemiological data from country of origin.

Entry requirements

Greece will allow entrance to travelers that have filled out the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) any time before the departure of their flight. The PLF is mandatory and must be filled out by all travelers, regardless of their nationality.

Passengers from abroad must also have one of the following:

1. a vaccination certificate, stating that 14 days have passed since full vaccination for Covid-19. Vaccination certificates must be issued by a public authority and in one of the following languages: Greek, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian. The name on the vaccination certificate must match the name on the passport and also include, the type of vaccine administered, the number of doses and the dates they were administered. (The rule is in force for children over the age of 12 born after July 1, 2009.)

2. negative PCR test performed within 72 hours before travel or negative rapid antigen test performed within 48 hours before travel. Negative test results must be issued by an authorized laboratory and in one of the following languages: Greek, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian. The name on the vaccination certificate must match the name on the passport. (The rule is in force for children over the age of 12 born after July 1, 2009.)

3. recovery certificate. Travelers can present a medical/recovery certificate issued thirty days after they first tested positive for Covid-19 (the certificate is valid for entry to Greece 180 days after its issue date). The certificate must be issued by a public authority or a certified laboratory in one of the following languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian. (The rule is in force for children over the age of 12 born after July 1, 2009.)

4. an EU Digital COVID Certificate in digital or print form which will contain information on whether passengers have been vaccinated against Covid-19 or have a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours before travel or a negative rapid test performed within 48 hours before travel or have recovered from the virus. (The rule is in force for children over the age of 12 born after July 1, 2009.)

Important for travelers from Russia

All travelers from Russia arriving in Greece must have a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours before travel or a negative rapid antigen test performed within 48 hours before travel. The measure is mandatory and applies to all travelers from Russia, whether they are vaccinated for Covid-19 or not.
All travelers from Russia must also undergo a rapid test at the airport upon arrival in Greece. The measure is mandatory.

Rapid testing on arrival

Greek National Public Health Organization's (EODY) crew this week conducted COVID-19 tests to passengers of international flights that arrived on the island of Kos. Photo Source: @EODY

Every traveler who arrives in Greece, regardless of the certificate in their possession, may undergo a random health screening (depending on the data provided on the PLF forms) based on the ‘EVA’ system. If a passenger is selected for a rapid test and is positive for the coronavirus then he/she must quarantine for a total of:

– 7 days if the passenger has been vaccinated against Covid-19
– 10 days if the passenger is unvaccinated

In both cases, passengers will have to take a PCR test on the last day of their quarantine. If the test is negative the mandatory quarantine ends.

General instructions

At the arrival and departure areas inside airports, as well as during all domestic and international flights, staff and passengers are required to wear a face mask at all times.

Passengers are also required to comply with the instructions of the permanent and temporary staff of airports or airlines responsible for supervising, crowd management and passenger assistance, in order to maintain the necessary distances and to ensure safe boarding/disembarkation to avoid overcrowding.

The Greek government has detailed information on a dedicated website, which includes frequently asked questions, on how Greece is welcoming visitors this year.

Travelers in need of specific details on the travel rules for passengers of international flights are recommended to contact their embassy, airline or the General Secretariat for Civil Protection.

Follow GTP Headlines on Google News to keep up to date with all the latest on tourism and travel in Greece.
About the Author
This is the team byline for GTP. The copyrights for these articles are owned by GTP. They may not be redistributed without the permission of the owner.
  1. Nikki Reply

    My friend was infected, given the all clear Wednesday 1st September. Fully vaccinated. Is he permitted to travel to Corfu on 12th September.

  2. steve Reply

    So according to this if fully vaccinated you dont need a prior PCR test 48 hours before flying?

    • GTP editing team Reply

      If you have a vaccination certificate you do not need to present a negative PCR test result.

  3. Ilse Barta Reply

    Just make an antibody test, and show thiso certificate – this result is in your case positive, andp the proof that you recovered from Covid infection.

  4. J Stuart Reply

    Glad you recovered especially from pneumonia but if you are PCR positive then you will quite rightly be forced self isolating… just because you are feeling better don’t be selfish about other people who may not what to go through what you went through and/or not fare so well…

  5. T Ferguson Reply

    How do we stand, my wife and i tested positive on 18th July, i ended up in Hospital on 23rd July with Covid Pneumonia, i got out last night. The UK does not issue recovery Certificates. Our worry is we take a PCR test and its positive this can happen for a time after recovery.

    • Maggie W Reply

      Did you guys not get vaccinated ? Just wondering what

Leave a Reply to GTP editing team Cancel reply

*