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No Testing for EU Covid Certificate Holders Traveling to Greece

Photo source: European Commission / Photographer: Yorgos Karahalis

Travelers with a valid EU Digital Covid Certificate coming to Greece will no longer need to be tested for Covid-19 starting on Monday, February 7, Health Minister Thanos Plevris announced.

“Starting Monday, February 7, admission to the country for those who have an active European certificate* will be conducted without a mandatory test,” said Plevris speaking to public broadcaster ERT on Friday. (Information on who can enter Greece without a test from February 7 can be found at the end of the article.)

On Thursday, the Commission proposed extending the use of the EU Digital Covid Certificate by a year to June 30, 2023.

It should be reminded that the EU’s digital Covid certificate for travel will only be valid for a period of nine months following the administration of the last dose of the primary Covid-19 vaccination and without a booster shot.

Photo source: European Commission / Photographer: Denis Lovrovic

“Member states should not provide for a different acceptance period for the purposes of travel within the European Union. The standard acceptance period does not apply to certificates for booster doses,” said the Commission in a statement on February 1 .

The rules apply only to the vaccination certificates used for the purpose of travel in the EU.

On Thursday, the Commission reiterated its call on EU national governments to harmonize their domestic validity periods with the validity period set at EU level for the purpose of travel.

Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias

Commenting on the announcement, Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias said it was one more step toward strengthening tourist flows to Greece, adding that the decision comes after a series of actions aimed at facilitating travel planning for potential visitors.

Greece “is preparing this year to welcome summer season visitors earlier than any other time as of March 1. The country’s tourism sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the past two years, sending out a strong message of safety to travelers and it will do the same this year,” he said.

In the meantime, Greeks vaccinated with a two-dose vaccine will need to renew their vaccination cycle with a booster shot as will those with a single-dose vaccine seven months after the last jab in order for their vaccination certificates to remain valid and allow admission to restaurants, bars and other establishments.

*Who can enter Greece without a test from Feb. 7

Eligible to enter Greece without a test from February 7  will be all travelers from EU and Schengen Zone member states as well as from the 33 non-EU countries and territories that have joined the EU Digital COVID Certificate system: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Cabo Verde, El Salvador, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Israel, Iceland, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Togo, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man), Uruguay, The Vatican.

All other inbound travelers to Greece (including children over 5 years old) that do not have an EU Digital COVID Certificate, regardless of nationality, Covid vaccination status or proof of recovery, must present a negative PCR test result (performed within 72 hours before travel) or a rapid antigen test result (performed within 24 hours before travel).

It is reminded that all travelers to Greece must also submit the mandatory Passenger Locator Form (PLF) any time before the departure of their flight.

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  1. Elisavet Kanellopoulou Reply

    On the site of the greek government, the aegean airlines and EODY (site of public health in Greece) says that travellers are welcome in Greece if they are double vaccinated up to 270 days or if they have a recovery certificate up to 180 days. I came to Greece with my 10 year old son and everywhere we go they scanned us red, so we are not allowed to go anywhere or to visit the ancient sightseeings because the greek scan app works with the rules for greeks. Even thought they can see that our certificates are valid until may they refuses us entrance because the app turns red and they are scared of fines. Nice job you all fix the god damn scan app or inform the citizens how it all works. No one helps us from the government services (if you can call them public services!!!) so we are sitting inside trying to get a decent public worker on the phone that wants to help us! With one word SAD

  2. David French Reply

    The UK and the USA are the biggest tourists outside of the EU. It’s about the money!
    So Greece wake up from your WUHAN slumber. CHINA just wanna destroy your economy. Get with the program.. FREE MOVEMENT… Omicron? IT’S A COLD!

  3. Lorraine Reply

    If you read the article UK and also Israel are included on the list of the 33 non-EU countries and territories that have joined the EU Digital COVID Certificate system
    *Who can enter Greece without a test from Feb. 7
    Eligible to enter Greece without a test from February 7 will be all travelers from EU and Schengen Zone member states as well as from the 33 non-EU countries and territories that have joined the EU Digital COVID Certificate system: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Cabo Verde, El Salvador, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Israel, Iceland, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Togo, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man), Uruguay, The Vatican.

  4. R Ferguson Reply

    So still coercing people to get booster shots of a vaccine that does not work, but kills and injures thousands, we supported Greece the past two years, cost us a lot of money for tests nearly £700 a trip, we travelled six times in the last two years to Crete or Kos. This year if tests are still in place we are staying at home.

    • Alkis Forever Reply

      Stay away and keep Greece safe!

      • David Reply

        Based on what?

      • Ann Bern Reply

        What you mentioned was rather a communication slogan than a fact.

  5. Steve Mansfield Reply

    Following the agreement made at the end of October recognising the UK NHS vaccination certificate as an EU equivalent, does anybody know if it still applies for entry to Greece from February 7th?

    • David Reply

      Nope. You ain’t vaccinated even though you have been vaccinated. The EU are clowns.

    • Caroline phelan Reply

      Myself and my husband hold eu covid cert we are boosted, My 10 year old daughter is also vaccinated as is my 14 year old daughter. My 14 year old daughter eu covid cert will have expired by July 2022 ovef 270 days as she received her vaccine in September 2021. Will she need a pcr test to travel to crete on our family holiday in July 2022. Its a extra expense 100 euro for pcr test there and back does this apply as she is only 14.

  6. Thomas Maher Reply

    I am Irish and want to take my wife’s parents who have Colombian passports to Greece in April. We will be travelling from the UK. I have been advised that my Colombian parents-in-law can not travel with us.

    Since October 2021, the EU has been advising that Colombians should be on the list allowed to enter EU countries. See https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/10/29/covid-19-council-adds-argentina-colombia-namibia-and-peru-to-the-list-of-countries-for-which-travel-restrictions-should-be-lifted/

    Yet, the Greek authorities persist in excluding Colombians. Why?

  7. Zamir Sivan Reply

    What happens to someone who is not in the EU? Israel for example? ..
    Is there a link between nationality and the vaccine? Is the vaccine better for Europeans from other nations?

  8. Lindsay Marsh Reply

    Let’s hope this is extended to the UK soon!

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