Greece Lifts Mandatory Covid-19 Test for Travelers from US, Canada, Australia
Travelers from the United States, Canada and Australia with a vaccination certificate no longer need to present a negative Covid-19 test when they arrive in Greece, according to the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA).
The new measure went into effect on Saturday and will apply until February 21, says an update to the HCAA’s recent aviation directive (NOTAM) concerning travel rules that all international travelers must follow to enter Greece.
More specifically, according to the update:
All travelers from the United States of America, Canada and Australia may enter Greece provided they have one of the following:
1) a vaccination certificate valid for nine months since full vaccination for Covid-19, and without a validity limit for travelers who have received the booster dose
2) a recovery certificate valid for 180 days after its issue date
3) a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours before travel or a negative rapid antigen test performed within 24 hours before travel.
It is reminded that travelers holding a valid European Union Digital Covid Certificate (EUDCC) coming from the EU/ Schengen zone countries and 33 non-EU countries and territories that have joined the EUDCC system (press here to see the countries) can enter Greece without additional restrictions (such as the prior Covid-19 testing before travel requirement for vaccinated).
All other inbound travelers to Greece that do not have an EUDCC (including children over 5 years old) and regardless of their Covid vaccination status 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) upon arrival.
All travelers to Greece, regardless of their nationality, must submit the mandatory Passenger Locator Form (PLF) any time before the departure of their flight.
Further details on Greece’s current entry rules can be found here.
Travelers are advised to contact their travel agent or airline to confirm the requirements before their trip. Those in need of specific details on the travel rules for passengers of international flights are advised to contact their embassy or the General Secretariat for Civil Protection.
It’s rather unfair on people who haven’t got an up to date phone and are unable to get the Digital Pass. Why isn’t the paper one still ok to use? It will have the same info on it.
Please rethink this rule before the Tourist Season and be fair to all.
Still discrimination against those who have recovered from the virus with natural immunity, and not vaccinated. What part of vaccinated people can catch and spread the virus do you Greeks not understand. Omicron has wiped out the virus, we stood by Greece for two years three trips to Crete cost us a lot of money for tests, we did not want to get a vaccination that did not stop you catching the virus yet risk death or adverse reaction from the vaccine.
Get the damn shot. Think of others besides yourselves.
Omicron is already in Greece. Why all the fuss? Drop your stupid vaccination status. It’s not needed. Come on. Open up fully. The UK will as always lead the way.