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Greece will Welcome US Visitors Until End of Season, Says Tourism Minister

Vassilis Kikilias

Vassilis Kikilias

While a number of countries are following a non-binding EU recommendation and imposing additional Covid-19 travel restrictions on visitors from the United States, Greece has made it clear that it has no intention of excluding American arrivals.

In his first statement to the press on Tuesday since becoming Greek Tourism Minister, Vassilis Kikilias said that “Greece will continue to receive visitors from the USA until the end of the tourist season”.

In his statement, Minister Kikilias said that the US is “a very important market”, which creates added value to the country’s economy.

“Visitors and tourism professionals in the United States of America, and of course Greeks abroad, have shown and continue to show their love for Greece and their trust in the Greek tourism product,” the tourism minister said.

It is reminded that the European Council last week removed the US from the list of safe third countries for non-essential travel into the EU. Covid-19 cases have been rising sharply in the US due to the disease’s Delta variant.

Photo source: U.S. Department of State: Consular Affairs

A few days later, Greece issued a revised aviation directive that has kept the US on its “safe list” of non-EU countries and territories whose residents are eligible to enter.

Before entering Greece, travelers from the US must complete a PLF (passenger locator form) and upon arrival show either proof of vaccination or proof of prior infection or a negative Covid (PCR or rapid) test result. (Press here for more information on entering Greece.)

Like Greece, other EU countries that have ignored the recommendation include Germany, Norway, Portugal and France.

However, Sweden and Bulgaria have banned travelers from the US from entering their borders for non-essential reasons.

Other EU member states, including The Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Spain and Belgium, have tightened restrictions on American travelers.

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About the Author
Nikos is Greek-American born in New York, USA, and has lived in Greece for over 30 years. He is the managing editor of Greece's leading monthly travel and tourism guide, the Greek Travel Pages (GTP) since June 2008 and of news site GTP Headlines since its launch in September 2012. Nikos has also served as international press officer for the City of Athens and for the mayor. He has a degree in Mass Media and Communications, specializing in Journalism. Nikos is a native English speaker and speaks Greek fluently.
  1. Claudia Gramling Reply

    I am cruising on 14 oct till 25 oct and would like to know if tourist season runs through those dates.

  2. Masha P Reply

    I am American citizen currently vacationing in Greece. It would be very helpful if you could please provide end season date ( or time frame- mid, late October). thank you !

  3. Patti Greer Reply

    I am an American travelling to Greece October 11,2021 for 16 days. I am still in the travel season?

    • Steve Reply

      It appears to be the end of October as September and October are the low months in the fall.

  4. David Huber Reply

    Please advise the end date of the 2021 ‘Tourist Season’ and also the start date of the 2022 ‘Tourist Season’.

    Presumably the tourist season is 12 months for Athens, and Thessaloniki and possibly other cities?

    Thank you

  5. Greg+Fulton Reply

    As a US resident who is eager to visit Greece, I’m curious what is considered the end of the tourist season and if tougher restrictions may then be put in place?

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