Greece Travel Restrictions May 05th 2021 Update

Greece Travel Update May 2021

• As of April 19^th, travelers arriving in Greece should possess a negative PCR certificate from a testing laboratory, for a Covid-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival.
  This test is mandatory for all tourists (including children over the age of 5), regardless of the epidemiological situation existent in the country of departure.
• If the traveler has completed his/her vaccination (i.e., 14 days have elapsed since the last vaccination, depending on the doses required) and holds a vaccination certificate, then proof of a negative test is not required.
• Vaccination certificates for the vaccines Sputnik, Sinovac, etc., not approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) also exempt visitors from the obligation of producing a negative PCR test. Αcceptable vaccines are: Pfizer BioNtech, Moderna, Astra Zeneca/Oxford, Novavax, Johnson + Johnson/Janssen, Sinovac Biotech, Gamaleya (Sputnik), Cansino Biologics, Sinopharm.
• Every traveler who arrives in Greece, regardless of the certificate in their possession, may undergo a random health screening. If selected, the screening is mandatory. Otherwise, authorities reserve the right to refuse entry into the country. The selection is made through a targeted sampling system, based on the EVA system used in the summer of 2020.

Important clarification: The entry of tourists in Greece is not subject to vaccination. Presenting a vaccination certificate greatly facilitates the formalities upon arrival. However, in no case is a vaccination or antibodies certificate considered a “passport”.

• The countries from which entry is allowed, under the aforementioned conditions, without the requirement for subsequent self-isolation are: EU & Schengen Area countries, USA, UK, Israel, Serbia, UAE, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, Thailand, Rwanda, Singapore, and the Russian Federation.
• Non EU citizens are strongly advised to choose direct flights to Greece. In any other case, travelers should abide by the stop-over country requirements.
  Passengers are allowed to enter the country through nine (9) airports (Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Corfu, Rhodes, Kos, Chania, Mykonos, Santorini).
  Travelers are allowed to enter from the land borders through the entry gates of Promachonas and Nymfea.
• Russian residents, limited to four thousand (4,000) per week, are allowed to enter Greece by air ONLY. Travelers from the Russian Federation will also need to produce a negative PCR molecular test as well as a vaccination certificate proving they have been fully vaccinated, and a 14-day period has elapsed since their vaccination.

REQUIREMENTS FOR VISITORS

Before arrival:

• Tourists must fill in the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) no later than 23:59 of the day before arriving in Greece. For more information, please click here.

The traveler must ensure prior to departure that he/she carries some kind of certification of their health condition. Acceptable documents include:

• A negative PCR molecular test result from a laboratory; the test must be taken up to 72 hours before entry.
  vaccination certificate issued by a certified authority.
• All certificates must include the critical information in English and the person’s full name must match the name on the passport or other travel document.

Upon arrival:

Travelers arriving in Greece are subject to:

• Sampling RAPID antigen tests at the entrance gates for selected individuals drawn from a targeted sampling system, based on the EVA system used in the summer of 2020.
• Mandatory isolation if they test positive for SARS-Cov-2, following a sampling test. In this case, the travellers and their escorts are accommodated to quarantine hotels, where they will undergo further PCR testing to confirm the initial diagnosis. Guests will stay in seclusion hotels for at least 10 days, and they will have to repeat the tests. The expenses of the accommodation in quarantine hotels are covered by the Greek state.
• Compliance with the health protocols during transport and throughout your entire stay in Greece is the key factor that will allow all of us to stay safe and return to normality.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR THE OPENING OF TOURISM 2021

1. 1. How can one travel to Greece?

Greece is ready to welcome visitors from abroad again, applying advanced health protection protocols. In 2021, Greek Tourism is ready to operate with the maximum safety possible, for tourists, employees and every person involved in the provision of tourist services.

First of all, isolation (quarantine) for visitors from abroad is no longer required. However, entry into Greece will be allowed under the following conditions:

– By presenting a vaccination certificate issued by an appropriate body in the traveler’s country of origin.

– Instead of a vaccination certificate, the tourist can show a negative PCR test conducted up to 72 hours before traveling.

– At the same time, 24 hours before traveling, every tourist must have completed the special PLF document.

– Upon entering Greece, visitors will undergo targeted tests. In the event of a positive result, meaning that the traveler who was tested is ill with Covid-19, he/she will be temporarily accommodated in an isolation hotel. If a positive incident is detected following a sampling test at the land borders, then entry into the country may not be allowed.

1. 1. What applies to people working in the tourism sector?

Employees in the Greek tourism sector are vaccinated, according to government planning. Also, until the date of their vaccination, these employees are obliged to undergo a weekly test. It is suggested that the testing is even more frequent, in order to have timely isolation.

1. 1. What about “third” vaccines (from China, Russia, etc.)?

Greece recognizes every visitor who produces a vaccination certificate with an anti- Covid 19 formula from third countries, that is outside the EU and USA, as vaccinated. For the list of acceptable vaccines, see here: Pfizer BioNtech, Moderna, Astra Zeneca/Oxford, Novavax, Johnson + Johnson/Janssen, Sinovac Biotech, Gamaleya (Sputnik), Cansino Biologics, Sinopharm

1. 1. What applies to international flights?

In the first phase of the opening of Greek Tourism, flight restrictions from EU countries will be lifted, as well as from a limited number of other countries (USA, UK, UAE, Serbia and Israel, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, Rwanda and Singapore).
Furthermore, our country will initially welcome flights only at certain airports (Athens, Thessaloniki, Rhodes, Kos, Chania, Heraklion, Santorini, Mykonos and Corfu). From mid-May onwards, in the framework of the general opening of the tourism industry, all international airports in the country will be allowed to accept flights from abroad.

1. 1. What will apply to land travel?

Two entry stations from Bulgaria (Promachonas and Nymfaia) will operate during the initial phase of the opening.

1. 1. What about ferry connections?

As of 19/04/21, the quarantine will be lifted for those who arrive by ferry. Initially, at the main entrances (Patra, Igoumenitsa) and subsequently at all the rest.

1. 1. How can the visitors move to or from their hotel?

As long as travel across counties is prohibited, guests will be able to travel from the airport to the lodging they have booked with their hotel voucher.

1. 1. What will apply to guests during their stay?

During their stay in Greece, visitors must also follow the measures that apply to all Greek citizens.

1. 1. Will there be activity protocols?

In all tourist activities, tourist transport and tourist visits to other places of interest, the same protocols as those in 2020 will apply, with some small adjustments. These protocols have proven to be effective, and will be updated according to epidemiological conditions. The Ministry of Tourism and the Hotel Chamber of Greece will provide certification to all lodgings that apply these protocols. Moreover, training material will be provided to the employees of these businesses, in order to ensure the correct application of all health and safety measures against Covid-19.

1. 1. Will there be quarantine hotels?

The plan for the opening of Greek Tourism provides for the existence of specific isolation (quarantine) hotels near each entrance gate, as well as in other strategic points nationwide. This way, an adequate safety net for case management will be in place, combined with an early detection upon the arrival of tourists from abroad.

1. 1. What will apply to minors under the age of 12?

Children under the age of 5 will not be required to undergo a PCR test.

1. 1. When will the departure and arrival of private yachts be allowed and from which countries?

The departure and arrival of yachts (except those coming from Albania and Turkey) will be allowed from the 3rd of May and onwards, with some restrictions, while the same terms and conditions will apply both for Greek and foreign citizens

1. 1. What will apply to cruise ships?

By May 3rd , blue cruising will be allowed, i.e. cruising without intermediate stops in ports during the trip. Full opening, on May 14th, will lead to the complete removal of cruise restrictions, always enforcing very strict protocols that will apply to these activities.

1. 1. What if the visitor’s country requires a test for his/her return?

It is possible to perform PCR or antigen tests directly at the place where each guest stays, if the guest needs a test for returning home. This makes it easier for every tourist to be consistent with his/her obligations in order to safely return to his/her country.

1. 1. What applies to the organization of conferences?

Conferences will take place after May 15th as per normal, provided that all health protocols, which have been determined by the health committee, are followed.