Data Last Updated: October 22, 2020
General Information
Greece is allowing travelers from the EEA (European Economic Area) and certain low-risk countries as recommended by the EU council to enter. Travelers are subject to possible random testing based on their QR code result. They are also required to complete a Passenger Locator Form.
On August 1, Greece has reopened its borders for Cruise Ships.
Passengers of flights from Bulgaria, Romania, United Arab Emirates, Malta, Belgium, Spain, Albania, North Macedonia and Hungary (as of September 16, 2020 until September 30, 2020) to Greece will be required to have a negative molecular test result (PCR) for COVID-19, performed up to 72 hours before their entry to Greece.
Mask Requirement
Mask is required to be worn in all public indoor, public transport and certain outdoor areas where social distancing is not possible.
Internal Restrictions/Closures
Due to an increase in coronavirus disease infection rates, authorities in Greece will tighten the nation's restrictions from 0600 Oct. 24. A daily 0030-0500 curfew will be in place in all areas considered high-risk or designated as 'orange' (level 3) or 'red' (level 4) in Greece's four-tier system. Individuals performing essential work duties or seeking medical help are exempt from the curfew. In addition, protective face coverings will be mandatory in all outdoor public areas nationwide.
As of Oct. 23, the following areas are considered high-risk: Astoria and Attica, which are designated as red, and the orange-designated areas of Thessaloniki, Achaia, Zakynthos, Heraklion, Thira, Ioannina, Karditsa, Kea-Kythnos, Lesvos, Mykonos, Pella, Samos, Trikala, Boeotia, Larissa, and Serres.
All social and cultural events will be prohibited and open markets will close. Public and private gatherings of more than nine people from different households will be prohibited.
Enhanced social-distancing requirements will be imposed on restaurants, and facemasks will be obligatory in all indoor and outdoor public places.
All public gatherings are prohibited, except those with seated audiences, such as concerts and theatrical performances.
Authorities will tighten coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions in the Attica Region which includes the city of Athens and the surrounding areas from Sept. 16-30. Protective face coverings will be required in all indoor public areas, crowded outdoor areas where social distancing is not possible, and workplaces. In addition, restaurants and cafes must limit table seatings to six people per table. Public gatherings remain limited to 50 people.
A mask or facial cover is mandatory in public transportation, taxis, elevators, hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centers. Masks are recommended in supermarkets, hair salons and other enclosed spaces. Violators may be fined 150 Euros. Social distancing measures are in effect until further notice.
Tourism accommodations are available under specific hygiene protocols, Non-essential shops, Restaurants, Bars and cafes, Beaches and tourist areas, Museums and heritage sites and Personal care services are open under specific hygiene protocols.
Airlines & Transport
International flights are allowed into all airports in Greece. Restrictions apply on flights from non-EU countries. For the moment, flights are allowed from Australia, Georgia, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Canada, Morocco, New Zealand, South Korea, Rwanda, Uruguay, Thailand, Tunisia, China*.
Authorities have banned commercial, general aviation, and business flights between Greece and Turkey until Aug. 31; flights from Albania and North Macedonia will be restricted to landing only at Athens International Airport (ATH) until the same date.
No more than 750 people may enter the country per day via the Kakavia border crossing with Albania; persons entering via the Kakavia or Krystallopigi crossings with Albania face seven-days' quarantine.
Status of Opening to Tourists
Information based on tourists place of residence being in that country for the last 14 days
Select Country of Residence
Open to Tourists From:
47 Countries
Algeria
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Canada
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Greenland
Guernsey
Iceland
Ireland
Isle of Man
Italy
Japan
Jersey
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Monaco
Montenegro
Morocco
New Zealand
Norway
Portugal
Rwanda
San Marino
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
Tunisia
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Vatican City
Test Required For Tourists From:
12 Countries
Albania
Belgium
Bulgaria
Hungary
Macedonia
Malta
Netherlands
Poland
Romania
Russia
Spain
United Arab Emirates
Not Allowing Tourists From:
184 Countries
Afghanistan
American Samoa
Angola
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bonaire
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Christmas Island
Cocos Islands
Colombia
Comoros
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Cuba
Curaçao
Democratic Republic of Congo
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Falkland Islands
Fiji
French Guiana
French Polynesia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Gibraltar
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Macao
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Mongolia
Montserrat
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
New Caledonia
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestine
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Republic of Congo
Réunion
Saint Barthélemy
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Sint Maarten
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Georgia
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos
Tuvalu
U.S. Virgin Islands
Uganda
Ukraine
United States
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Vietnam
Wallis and Futuna
Western Sahara
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe
More Details
Greece Has Reopened Its Borders To Foreign Visitors
Last Updated: October 6, 2020
As of July 1st 2020, Greece has officially reopened its borders to some foreign visitors. This comes after other European nations have opened their borders to certain nations in their "safe travel" list.
The Greek government has taken effective measures to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, and is now gradually lifting the restrictions created to halt the spread of coronavirus in the country.
Tourism accounts for about a quarter of Greece’s economy. Thus, Greek authorities would like to invite visitors back into the country while ensuring the safety of everybody.
Which Countries Can Travel to Greece?
All flights to Greece have resumed, except those countries where a high number of Covid-19 transmissions have been recorded. International airports have opened, including the regional airports on Mykonos, Rhodes and Kos.
Travelers from the UK and Sweden will only be allowed to enter the country by July 15. There will be no quarantine restrictions. However, before boarding, all travelers must fill out an online form and must be willing to submit themselves for the Covid-19 test upon arrival, which is done at random.
Starting August 17, the Greek authorities will require all visitors from Belgium, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Bulgaria, Malta, Romania, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as all persons entering via a land border, to produce proof of having tested negative for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within 72 hours prior to arrival.
Countries which require a COVID-19 PCR Test taken at most 72 hours prior to arrival:
Arrivals by sea are now allowed and the Patras and Igoumenitsa ports will again be welcoming ferries from Italy. Land border arrivals from Turkey, North Macedonia, and Albania are only applicable for essential travels.
September 7 update: Starting September 7, Greece will reopen its borders to Russian tourists. However, they will only allow up to 500 tourists each week. They are also required to submit a negative COVID-19 certificate issued no more than 72 hours before entry.
October 6 update: Starting October 3rd, passengers traveling to Greece by air from Poland will be required to submit a negative Covid-19 test taken up to 72 hours before their arrival. Furthermore, the suspension of flights between Greece and Turkey will be extended until Oct. 12.
What Are the Rules for Visiting Greece?
Visitors must be aware of the potential risks when travelling to Greece in the midst of a global pandemic. All tourists must follow the rules set by health authorities to ensure their safety.
- Wash your hands frequently or use sanitizer.
- Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid contact with people who are showing symptoms of respiratory problems.
- Postpone your trip if you have a fever and other respiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath and cough.
- Maintain social distancing of at least 1 meter between other tourists.
- Avoid handshaking, kissing, or hugging when greeting someone.
- Wear a facemask when visiting public places.
All travelers to Greece must be prepared for the possibility that additional restrictions might be put in place by the Greek government with little or no advance notice.
Will Citizens from the US and Canada be allowed to enter Greece?
Canada is among those non-EU countries that are permitted to enter Greece. There is no projected date yet on when the citizens of the United States will be allowed to enter since the infection rate in the country remains high. However, there are people who were exempted from the travel ban and these include spouses and children of EU/Schengen nationals, long-term EU residents, passengers in transit, members of government delegations, and healthcare professionals and researchers that support the Hellenic National Healthcare System.
What’s Open in Greece?
Archaeological sites in Greece will be operating on extended summer hours, from 8 AM to 8 PM, to prevent overcrowding. To maintain social distancing, only a limited number of visitors will be allowed to enter at every site. There are demarcations at the entrances and exits and Plexiglas screens are installed at some sites, such as in Propylaea on the Acropolis. All visitors are required to wear protective masks, and carrying of alcohol-based sanitizers onsite is highly encouraged.
Beaches are open as well, but only 40 people will be allowed in every 1,000 square meters. An entrance/exit count is being carried out to ensure that this measure is being followed. Umbrellas must be four meters away from each other and each umbrella can only provide shade for a maximum of two loungers. But this rule will not apply to families with kids.
Beach bars can serve food items and beverages in a package and take-away services are highly encouraged. Alcohol can be sold but must not be served to customers inside the bar to prevent the gathering of large crowd.
When shopping in Greece, you may have to wait a few minutes before you enter the shops. Smaller shops that are about 20 square meters in size must only accommodate 4 people at a time. Bigger stores that are more than 100 square meters can welcome up to 12 shoppers at a time. Employees and customers should maintain a distance of at least 1.5 meters away from each other while inside the store premises. There are also markings on the floor to maintain safe distances when queuing.
All establishments have information signs that will remind people to follow safety measures and hygiene rules. Customers are encouraged to pay electronically and there are sanitizer gels beside every cash register.
Indoor and outdoor seating areas are now permitted at all restaurants across the country. Servers are wearing facemasks and a minimum distance of 70cm to 170cm is maintained in every table. However, these restrictions will not apply to families with kids.
Have Flights Resumed to Greece?
All direct international flights have been permitted to land in Greece since July 1st, allowing tourists to fly directly into the country. Aegean Airlines, Greece’s leading air carrier, has implemented health protocols for the safety of its passengers, including contactless passport checks at boarding gates. In the coming days, the airline will draw up a flight schedule and is expected to fly to 42 destinations around the world from Athens.
What To Expect At the Airport?
Wearing facemasks is mandatory at Athens International Airport. The mask must be put on throughout the passenger’s stay at the airport, from checking in to boarding. Passengers might be asked to temporarily remove the mask during security procedures and identity checks.
The airport has hand sanitizer dispensers all over the place. Plexiglas panels were installed for added protection on areas where employee interaction is necessary, such as in the information counters and ticket desks.
Check out Greece for more detailed restriction/reopening information from our live map.
Sources: greece-is.com
https://www.discovergreece.com/covid19-advice-for-travellers-greece
See the full blog post & comments
Information for Non-Tourists
Freight transporters, diplomats, students enrolled at Greek universities, seasonal workers, healthcare workers, and passengers in transit are allowed entry regardless of nationality.
All passengers arriving from Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Malta, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates must provide proof of having tested negative for COVID-19 using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival; this measure is due to increased disease activity in those countries.
Other travelers entering Greece are not automatically subject to a mandatory quarantine period; however, they could be required to complete a detailed declaration providing their contact details, country of origin, and travel history over the previous 15 days, among other information.
Authorities conduct targeted COVID-19 testing of arriving travelers based on information provided in the declarations; persons testing positive for the virus could be required to quarantine for 14 days in government-provided accommodations.
37,196
Cases620
Deaths3,575
Cases Per Million
Graph of COVID-19 Cases In Last 30 Days
For Greece