Greece Updates Covid-19 Travel Rules for Domestic Flights to All Destinations

The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA), on Monday issued a new Covid-19 aviation directive (NOTAM) with rules for passengers traveling on domestic flights to all destinations in Greece.

According to the new NOTAM, Greek and foreign travelers aged 12 and over can board domestic flights only if they have proof of vaccination against Covid-19 or prior infection or a negative coronavirus rapid antigen test result, conducted up to 48 hours prior to boarding.

Minors between the ages of 4 and 11 can present a negative self test result taken at least 24 hours before travel to board a flight.

In effect from September 13 the new NOTAM is part of the Greek government’s efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) in the country.

Details on the rules to board domestic flights in Greece follow:

Covid documents needed to board flights

Travelers (residents and foreign visitors) aged 12 and over in Greece are allowed to travel on domestic flights only if they have one of the following:

1) a vaccination certificate stating that 14 days have passed since full vaccination for Covid-19.
Greeks can issue their vaccination certificates here.
Foreigners are obliged to have a vaccination certificate in one of the following languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian or Russia. The vaccination certificate must be issued by a public authority, include the travelers’ name, the type of vaccine administered and the number of doses.
Alternatively, travelers may present, in digital or printed form, an EU Digital COVID Certificate (or a similar certificate from a non-EU country) as proof that a person has been vaccinated against Covid-19 or has a negative test result or recovered from the coronavirus.

2) a negative rapid antigen test taken 48 hours prior to travel.
Greeks can issue their test result here.
Foreigners must have a negative test in one of the following languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian or Russian.
Negative test results can be in print or electronic form.

3) a 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 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.

Minors

Minors aged 4-11 can present a negative self test (either in print or electronic form) taken at least 24 hours before travel, to board a flight.
The self-test declaration form can be accessed here. Travelers will have to print it out, write their negative test result, sign it and then present it when requested at the airport along with identification (passport).
Travelers can also present their negative test result in digital form.

Masks are mandatory

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 that do not wear masks will not be allowed to board the plane.

Moreover, passengers are required to comply with the instructions of the airport or airline staff who are responsible for supervision, crowd management and passenger assistance, in order to maintain the necessary distances and to ensure safe boarding/disembarkation to avoid overcrowding.

The compulsory travel documents passengers must have with them are checked by airline staff. According to the HCAA, airline staff is obliged to ascertain that travelers have all the necessary documentation before they board flight in Greece.

Travelers are advised to also contact their travel agent or airline to confirm the requirements before their trip. Those in need of information regarding specific details are recommended to contact their embassy or the General Secretariat for Civil Protection.