Greece is Off Germany’s Covid-19 ‘Risk Area’ Travel List

Travelers arriving at BER – Berlin Brandenburg Airport. Photo source: @berlinairport

Germany no longer considers the Greek regions of Crete and South Aegean as high risk areas for the coronavirus (Covid-19), according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases.

The RKI on Friday listed a number of countries and regions that are no longer considered risk areas due to Covid-19. The updated list goes into effect on Sunday, September 12.

It is reminded that the two Greek regions had been on the list since August 24 due to a spike in Covid-19 cases.

With Crete and the South Aegean islands off Germany’s high risk area list, the whole country of Greece is now included among the safe destinations for Germans to travel to.

Greek tourism minister applauds the news

Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias was informed of the news by German Ambassador to Athens, Ernst Reichel, during the 85th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF).

“All of Greece is a safe destination for German tourists,” Minister Kikilias wrote on twitter.

Photo source: @Vkikilias

Other regions removed from Germany’s travel risk list include regions in France (Corsica and Occitania and the French overseas department of Réunion). The list’s new high-risk areas that are considered to have a particularly high risk of coronavirus infection are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Grenada, Nicaragua and the provinces of Oslo and Viken in Norway.

People entering Germany from countries and regions that are not considered “risk areas” are not required to quarantine for 10 days.

However, according to the RKI, people arriving to Germany by plane must, regardless of whether they have stayed in a risk area, upon entry must present a negative Covid-19 test result or a vaccination certificate or health certificate.

Germany’s travel rules can be found here.