In order to enter GREECE as a citizen outside the EU (including of the United States, Canada, South American countries, Australia, UK) you will need a signed PASSPORT valid for 6 months beyond the completion of your trip.
Citizens of all European Union countries, Australia, Canada, USA, UK and most other countries do not need a visa. Details of visa regulations can be obtained on the GOV.gr website. Visas can be obtained on arrival free of charge. Three months are usually granted on arrival, and this can be extended.
Special procedures and policies relative to COVID-19 are described below. Please note that information is changing frequently, we cannot guarantee that information on this site is accurate. Refer to the Greek government and your local government websites for the most up-to-date information and advisories.
General Health and Safety
The US Embassy in Greece provides referrals to English speaking facilities.
List of Medical Resources
- Medical List – Athens
- Medical List – Thessaloniki
- Medical List – Rest of Greece
- Contact the U.S. Embassy in a Serious Emergency Situation
You can see CDC Health Advisory on this link: CDC Travel Health Advisory
For EU citizens, find more information at the Center for Disease Prevention and Control: ECDC Europa
Medication: Carry your medication with you at all times. Be sure all medications are in the Original Packaging. For prescription medication, be sure they are clearly labeled with your name.
Entering Greece
All travellers entering Greece must complete their PLF before entering the country, providing detailed information on their point of departure, the duration of previous stays in other countries, and the address of their stay while in Greece. In case of multiple stays, they are required to provide the address for the first 24 hours at least. One PLF should be submitted per family.
• Travellers will receive the PLF with their unique Quick Response (QR) code via email (the QR code will be provided in a link in the email).
The PLF can also be found on the Visit Greece app and at travel.gov.gr. It is strongly recommended that all visitors download the Visit Greece app (GDPR compliant) for free, prior their arrival in Greece.
COVID 19 Procedures
CURRENT INFORMATION
- US Embassy Greece: US Embassy Covid-19 Alert
- Greek Government Covid-19 Site: Information on Covid-19
- Entry Form to be submitted at border crossings: Passenger Locator Form
Instruction for Entering Greece
The procedure for entering Greece is the following (check the Greek government and your local government advisory websites for the most up-to-date information) . . .
ENTERING GREECE
The procedure for entering Greece is the following (check Current Information links and your local government advisory for the most up-to-date information).
In summary local requirements from the Greek Government state:
SUMMARY OF DOCUMENTS to bring with you
- Copy of your paid invoice – bring 3 copies to be safe
- Negative PCR test results not older than 48 hours for each traveler OR
- Certificate of vaccination showing final dose was administered at least 14 days prior to border crossing for each traveler
- Printed copy of Passenger Locator Form – you can complete and submit the form online.
- The Entry Form is optional to complete in advance, but will save you time at the border – the entire group can be included in 1 form
Summary Requirements according to Greek Government Website
In the following paragraphs, we provide a step-by-step guide on how each visitor can prepare before traveling to Greece. These guidelines are in place to ensure the protection of your health, as well as the health of your loved ones and all those involved in providing a safe hosting experience:
A. Travellers arriving in Greece, during the period from 07.03.2022 until 21.03.2022, holding a European Union Digital Covid Certificate (https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/coronavirus-response/safe-covid-19-vaccines-europeans/eu-digital-covid-certificate_en) are not obliged to show an extra negative COVID test result upon their arrival.
In particular, entry of travellers coming from EU member states and Schengen countries, as well as from the 35 non-EU countries that have joined the EU Digital Covid Certificate system, namely: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Benin, Cabo Verde, El Salvador, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Israel, Iceland, Jordan, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, “Chinese Taipei (not recognized as a State by Greece)”, Thailand, Tunisia, Togo, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, The Vatican, is permitted by showing the EU Digital COVID Certificate, which contains information about one of the following:
a) Vaccination certificate (for those who have completed vaccination for COVID-19 at least fourteen (14) days before arrival) valid for 9 months after the completion of the basic vaccination and without time limit for travellers who have received the booster dose, or
b) Certificate of recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection issued 14 days after the day of the first positive COVID-19 test (PCR or Rapid Antigen test) and valid for 180 days thereafter, or
c) Certificate of negative test result, namely, negative molecular test result (PCR) performed up to 72 hours before the scheduled arrival or negative Rapid Antigen test result performed up to 24 hours before the scheduled arrival.
B. Travellers arriving from Australia, Canada and the United States of America are permitted to enter Greece under the condition that they display one of the following:
a) Vaccination certificate (for those who have completed vaccination for COVID-19 at least fourteen (14) days before arrival) valid for 9 months after the completion of the basic vaccination and without time limit for travellers who have received the booster dose. The vaccination certificate must include the full name of the traveller as registered in the passport, the type of vaccine given, the number of doses and inoculation dates, or
b) Proof of recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection, issued 14 days after the day of the first positive COVID-19 test (PCR or Rapid Antigen test) and valid for 180 days thereafter, or
c) Negative molecular test for COVID-19 (PCR) performed up to 72 hours before the scheduled arrival, or negative Rapid Antigen test performed up to 24 hours before the scheduled arrival.
C. Travellers arriving in Greece from ALL other countries, regardless of their vaccination status or proof of recovery, are required to display a negative molecular test result (PCR) for Covid-19 performed up to 72 hours before the scheduled arrival or a negative Rapid Antigen test result for Covid-19 performed up to 24 hours before the scheduled arrival.
The tests for Covid 19 (PRC or Rapid) must originate either by a public authority in accordance with the relevant legislation or from reference laboratories of the country of origin or transit, public or private, provided that these private laboratories have been certified by the competent national certification authority of the country. The test result must be in English language and must include the full name of the passenger as registered in the passport.
The above obligations are mandatory for all travellers entering the country, including children over 5 years old.
Acceptable vaccines are of: Pfizer BioNtech, Moderna, Astra Zeneca / Oxford, Novavax, Johnson & Johnson / Janssen, Sinovac Biotech, Gamaleya (Sputnik), Cansino Biologics, Sinopharm among others.
All travellers arriving in Greece, regardless of the certificate in their possession, may be subject to random obligatory molecular test (PCR) or Rapid Antigen Test for COVID-19. If you are selected, please note that testing is mandatory. In case of refusal, the authorities reserve the right to refuse entry into the country. The selection is made through a system of targeted sampling with the application of a health algorithm for the best epidemiological observation and shielding of the country, used since summer of 2020.
Citizens of third countries are strongly advised to choose direct flights to Greece. In any other case, travellers must comply with the requirements of the transit country. Passengers are allowed to enter the country through all international airports and all ports under the above conditions.
According to the above, travellers are also allowed to enter from land borders, through the entrance gates of Promachonas, Ormenios, Evzoni, Nymfaia, Exochis, Nikis, Doirani, Krystallopigi, Kipi, Kakavia, Kastania and Mavromatiou, on a 24h basis.
Through the Mertziani Entrance Gate entrance is allowed from 8.00 to 20.00.
Cruising and yachting is allowed. The entry of yachts in Greece, regardless of flag, coming from Turkey is only allowed into ports of Kavala, Mytilene, Chios, Vathy and Pythagoras of Samos, Myrina of Lemnos, Symi, Skala of Patmos, as well as the tourist ports of Kos and Rhodes.
REQUIREMENTS FOR VISITORS
Before arrival:
Until 14.03.22 tourists are required to fill in the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) before entering the country. For more information, please click here.
Ukraine Nationals coming to Greece with flights from abroad are exempted from the requirement to submit a PLF form.
Prior to departure, all travellers older than 5 years old must ensure that they carry an acceptable form of certification of their health condition, as stated above.
Upon arrival:
All travellers are subject to random obligatory Covid-19 tests upon arrival.
If found positive, a five (5) day quarantine under supervision is required either at home or at a designated temporary residence assigned by the appropriate authorities. The quarantine period starts the next day of their positive diagnosis. Following the five (5) day period and if the symptoms have receded and the travellers are feverless for 24 hours without the use of antipyretics, they are released from quarantine. If the fever insists, the travellers remain in isolation until the fever has fully receded. The above travellers must wear high protection breathing mask (FFP2 or N95) or a combination of two masks for at least 5 days after their release from isolation.
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.
We appreciate your understanding and apologize in advance for any additional inconvenience.
We extend a warm thank you for the cooperation and for choosing our country for your holidays.
