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

Greece’s Covid-19 Rules for Those Not Vaccinated Begin September 13

Travel and COVID-19 coronavirus in Greece, Europe. COVID mark in tourist passport on map with Athens. Tourism hit by corona virus. Medical test at border control due to coronavirus pandemic.

Photo: Shutterstock

As of Monday, September 13, unvaccinated individuals in Greece will be subject to restrictions regarding their entry to their places of work, restaurants and other indoor areas.

The Greek government has announced the specific measures aiming to curb the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) in the country, following an increase in confirmed cases, hospitalizations and intubations.

The new restrictions, which will be in force until March 31, 2022, see unvaccinated individuals having to undergo rapid Covid-19 antigen tests in order to enter most indoor areas, considering that they have tested negative. PCR tests will also be accepted.

On the other hand, some establishments with indoor areas will not allow unvaccinated individuals to enter in general.

The unvaccinated will also have to present a negative Covid-19 test result in order to travel domestic on planes, ferries, buses and trains (information is provided below).

The unvaccinated have to pay for rapid tests

Photo: Shutterstock

Unvaccinated individuals should know that only rapid tests conducted at private health centers – at the cost of 10 euros – will be accepted by establishments.

From September 13, unvaccinated individuals will no longer be allowed to get tested for Covid-19 for free by the mobile health teams of EODY that carry out daily rapid tests at no charge to citizens in different areas.

Where the unvaccinated can or cannot go

As of September 13, adults that have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 will not be allowed to enter the indoor areas of restaurants, bars, cafes,internet cafes and taverns. Entrance will be allowed only for the vaccinated and those with proof of recovery from Covid-19 (stating that they have recovered from the virus in the last six months). Verification checks to certificates will be conducted at entrances. All certificates will be scanned by the Covid Free app.

Unvaccinated adults will however be able to enter the indoor areas of theaters, cinemas, museums, archaeological sites and gyms/sports federations. More specifically, entrance will be allowed to the vaccinated, those with proof of recovery from Covid-19 (stating that they have recovered from the virus in the last six months) and the unvaccinated that have a negative rapid antigen test performed within 48 hours prior. Verification checks to certificates will be conducted via the Covid Free app.

It is noted that theaters and cinemas have the option to operate as “Covid free” (vaccinated-only) and “mixed” spaces. This will be displayed on entrance doors. Establishments that operate as Covid free spaces will allow entrance only for the vaccinated and those that have recovered from the coronavirus in the last six months. “Mixed” spaces will allow the vaccinated, those who have recovered from Covid-19 and the unvaccinated that have a negative rapid antigen test.

Indoor/outdoor sports areas

The unvaccinated will not be allowed to enter indoor or outdoor sports areas. Entrance will be allowed only for the vaccinated and those with proof of recovery from Covid-19 in the last six months.

Teenagers and children

Unvaccinated teenagers aged 12 to 17 years old can enter all of the aforementioned establishments provided they have a negative rapid test taken up to 48 hours earlier. For children (4 to 11 years) to be allowed entrance, proof of a negative self-test taken 24 hours prior is necessary.

Vaccinated non-EU visitors

As the Covid Free GR app only recognizes Greek vaccination certificates and the EU Digital COVID Certificate held by EU citizens, vaccinated visitors from non-EU countries – such as the United Kingdom or the United States – can enter indoor areas of establishments by simply presenting their national vaccination certificate or recovery certificate in printed or electronic form. They will also have to have some form of identification with them such as an ID card or passport.

Domestic travel: Negative rapid test result mandatory

From September 13, anyone unvaccinated (age 12 and over) that wants to travel between Greek regions by plane, ferry, KTEL bus, or intercity train will need to have a negative rapid antigen test performed within 48 hours before travel (negative PCR test performed within 72 hours before travel will also be accepted).

Travelers will have to upload their test results to the government’s website www.gov.gr to issue a certificate which they will have to print out (or save to their phone) and show when requested. All certificates will be scanned by the Covid Free app.

Minors between 4 and 11 years old can travel with a negative self test result performed within 24 hours before travel. After self testing (and considering the result is negative) travelers must access the self-test declaration form here, print it out, write their negative test result, sign it and then present it when requested at the airport, port, train/bus station.

Travelers that have a vaccination certificate, stating that 14 days have passed since full vaccination for Covid-19, or a recovery certificate (stating that they have recovered from the virus in the last six months) are exempt from testing.

Travelers are advised to contact their travel agent or ticket provider for specific details.

It is noted that unvaccinated travelers moving in private cars will not need to have any form of documentation when traveling between regions.

What applies to unvaccinated workers, school students and university students

From Monday, September 13:

Unvaccinated workers in the public and private sectors will have to take a rapid antigen test once a week (at their own expense) at the cost of 10 euros.

– People working in academia, tourism, restaurants, cafes, bars and entertainment productions will be required to take two rapid antigen tests per week (at their own expense).

Unvaccinated school students will have to take two self tests per week (free of charge). The self test kits can be received at pharmacies.

Unvaccinated university students will have to take two rapid antigen tests twice a week (at their own expense).

It should be noted that employers have the right by law to request employee vaccination or testing status at any time and can suspend unvaccinated employees that refuse to present a test result. Employers who do not check if their unvaccinated employees have undergone their weekly rapid tests will be fined between 300 and 1,500 euros while workers that ignore their obligation to test will be fined 300 euros.

Unvaccinated students (at schools and universities) that do not comply face suspension from class.

It is noted that masks must be worn at all times when in indoor spaces and at outdoor crowded areas in Greece.

Follow GTP Headlines on Google News to keep up to date with all the latest on tourism and travel in Greece.
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. AZ NO Reply

    This SHAM is WORLDWIDE. It is a WORLDWIDE GOVERNMENT PLAN. We are all under attack.

  2. Ash heal Reply

    What had this become. This is medical apartheid. The vaccinated can spread the virus as much as an unvaccinated person. This is appalling behaviour and discriminatory. People will die of covid. People die of flu. That is the nature of the world. Those who are vulnerable are vaccinated and therefore protected against death apparently. This treatment is appalling and I for one will be avoiding Greece for the foreseeable

  3. Mike Reply

    People have lost the ability to look after themselves in a healthy manner and they want the nanny state to look after them. It is my first time in Greece for 30 years. It is clear that there are too many overly fat people. Locals and holiday makers. Food portions in restaurants are massive!
    Also many people still smoke. But if you weigh over 100kg and smoke and drink alcohol and have had the jab you are free. If you are fit and lean and watch what you put in your body you are not free.
    Politicians want the fat vote.

  4. Cook Reply

    12 years child and over to attend school must have two self test per week to attend but in order for the same 12 year old child to attend a Museum or gallery must do a rapid test!!! Something does not add up!! Something is wrong!!

  5. Remus Reply

    Well done. Maybe whit this measure we can stop this virus. Everyone should be thankful to those who done the vaccine for the freedom what they have.

  6. Trish Broughton Reply

    It is becoming clear that the vaccinated can catch and do spread the virus. (Israel being a prime example, 85% vaccinated and they have the highest covid cases they have ever had, people are being hospitalized and dying) So we will soon see cases increase as the Delta variant infects the vaccinated who are now allowed to move around freely. This vaccination does not protect the vaccinated from this and other variants. The scientists are warning us that the more people who are vaccinated the stronger and more infectious the variants will get and we will never see the end of this pandemic.

  7. Iris Reply

    Well done Greece! And yes, you do not like it PLEASE never set foot into Greece again :).
    Whoever compares these measures to Naziism has NO idea what that means and yes Greece is acting very democratic, everyone still has a choice.

  8. Alex Reply

    Can we assume that supermarkets are open to all ‘with masks”? or not to the ‘unvaccinated’? NB many asylum seekers and refugees are unable to get vaccinations easily…

  9. Stefanie from Belgium Reply

    Last summer was really the last time me and my family went to Greece then, I will not support fascism not in my own country and not when on holiday. I hope many tourists will follow and the Greek people also stand up for their rights! This goes against privacy and self assessment rules. The world has failed.

    • Edward Saunders Reply

      Why should the elderly, who fought communism and fascism be subjected to risk by misguided fanatics like you and other inconsiderate anti casi vacsers

  10. Dimitri Reply

    Is it any wonder that we are are not given the ultimate power to decide by means of a referendum? This form of democracy let’s the minority rule, over an overeducated youth with nowhere to go.Its a global issue.I was brought up in Greece during the 7 year Military government,and yes it was tricky, but at least you knew where you stood.

  11. Pearla Reply

    No words for such stupidity

  12. Steve Gliatis Reply

    I love that no one says sorry or can apologize for this order. They act like it our fault we were all poisoned. Very sad world we live. Let’s inject people is the world we live in

  13. Patricia Warrell Reply

    Disgusting! Stupid! Does not make any medical or rational sense and is discriminatory. Gestapo tactics and according to the EU Council ILLEGAL

  14. johnny Reply

    Welcome to “democratic” Greece!

  15. Evans Stuart Reply

    Would it have not been less discriminatory for those who cannot afford the 80.00 euro a month in these dire times of unemployment, give all a deadline by which to conform, say end 2021, or else ! This would potentially have the effect of seeding out the “extreme objectors”, who would then be lesser in comparison to now and potentially more prone to consider the ultimatum. The financial burden is a bonanza for the private clinics isn’t it ? Stu

  16. Stella Reply

    Freedom

  17. R. Gibson Reply

    I see Greece is going down the Nazi route . I for one will never set foot in Greece ever again and I can safely say that all my family will boycott Greece for all family holidays. We want nothing to do with this political regime

  18. Peter Bloomfield Reply

    Well done,Greece. British government should do the same

    • Keith Martin Reply

      Greece has a much kinder climate than Britain and most eating establishments in Greece have outdoor eating areas which can be used all year round. British establishments can’t provide this facility and introducing the same rules would undoubtedly damage British businesses financially to a greater degree than it will affect Greek businesses. Also, commuting between regions by public transport is far less common in Greece, where half the population lives in Athens alone, so travel restrictions in Greece are less onerous than they would be in Britain and the potential increase in road congestion in Britain would be far more damaging to the environment and to the economy than it is in Greece.
      In summary, it’s just not politically viable to introduce the same restrictions to Britain, particularly under the current government.

  19. janette willis Reply

    Unvaccinated individuals will be able to enter the indoor areas of theaters, cinemas, museums, archaeological sites and gyms/sports federations. should this read vaccinated

    • GTP editing team Reply

      No. Unvaccinated individuals (and the vaccinated) can enter the specific establishments provided they have a negative rapid test result. It is explained in the next sentence. Thank you.

  20. Mr Owain P Casey Reply

    Disgusting.

Leave a Reply to johnny Cancel reply

*