Greece Opens to Travelers: Useful Info

UPDATE INFORMATION FROM THE MINISTRY TOURISM OF GREECE 15/06/2020

Greece is ready once again to welcome the world. Here is how:

15 June to 30 June

Aligned with European Commission communication with regards to the ban of non-essential travel from non-EU+ countries.
EU+ consists of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Lichtenstein and Iceland.

AIR

International flights are allowed into Athens and Thessaloniki airports (continuation of ban for flights from the UK & Turkey).
Arrivals to Athens Airport: If you originate from an EU + airport on the EASA affected area list or from Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Albania and North Macedonia, then you will be tested upon arrival. An overnight stay either at a designated hotel or at a hotel/residence of choice (in Athens) is required. If the test is negative, the visitor is then free to move to their final destination. If the test is positive, the visitor is quarantined under supervision for 14 days.

If your travel originated from all other origin airports, then you are only subject to random tests upon arrival. Upon being tested, the visitor is free to move to their final destination. If the test is positive, the visitor is quarantined under supervision for 14 days.

Arrivals to Thessaloniki Airport: All visitors will be tested upon arrival. An overnight stay either at a designated hotel or at a hotel/residence of choice (in Thessaloniki) is required.

LAND

The land border with Turkey, Albania and North Macedonia is open only for goods transportation services.
The land border with Bulgaria is open, also for Serbian citizens, and visitors are subject to sample testing.

1st July onwards

AIR
International flights are allowed into all airports in Greece.
Additional restrictions on non-essential travel from non-EU+ countries may be applicable, pending guidance from the European Union.

LAND
Land border arrivals from Albania, North Macedonia and Bulgaria are allowed. Re-evaluation with regards to Turkey by 30 June.

SEA
Arrivals by sea are allowed.

All visitors from air, land or sea, will be subject to random tests upon arrival. Upon being tested, the passenger is free to move to their final destination. In the event of a positive result, they will be contacted and placed on 14-day quarantine, with expenses covered by the Greek state.

-------------------------------------
All visitors are strongly recommended to download the Visit Greece app (GDPR compliant) for free prior or upon arrival in Greece.
Visitors should complete (ideally before travel) a Passenger Locator Factor form (PLF) with their contact details in Greece. This can also be found on the Visit Greece app in hard copy during the flight and at a designated web based form.

Greece at any stage retains the right to modify any of the above in light of changing epidemiological data. A Team of Experts with the Ministry of Health evaluates the epidemiological data on a regular basis and recommends changes to restrictions.

Arrivals by air (between June 15-30)

Athens International Airport
• The travel ban on flights from Italy, Spain and the Netherlands will be lifted.
• Only essential travel from from Albania and Northern Macedonia will be allowed.
• The travel ban on flights from the United Kingdom and Turkey will be maintained (regardless of the EASA affected area list).

Thessaloniki Airport “Makedonia”

From June 15, all flights are allowed except those from Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, the UK, Turkey, Albania, Northern Macedonia.

Arrivals by sea (between June 15-30)
• Ships from abroad are prohibited from entering Greek ports.
• Pleasure boats (leisure or professional) are allowed in Greek ports but only with crew on board.

Arrivals by road (between June 15-30)

• Greece’s land borders with Turkey, Albania and Northern Macedonia will remain closed (except for absolutely necessary business travel).
• Greece’s border with Bulgaria will be open.

Travel to Greece as of July 1

International arrivals by air
• All airports in Greece will be accepting flights from abroad.
• Coordination of the European Commission’s proposal for the list of non-EU countries for which restrictions will continue to exist.

International arrivals by road

• Restrictions of arrivals from Albania and Northern Macedonia will be lifted.
• Restrictions from Turkey will be reviewed by June 30. Announcements will be made.

International arrivals by sea

• All ships coming from abroad are allowed in Greek ports.

Preventive measures against Covid-19

Between June 15-30

• Arrivals to Athens and Thessaloniki from airports not on the EASA affected area list will be subject to sample testing. Travelers that are tested will be recommended to self-isolate to a hotel of choice until the test results are issued. If travelers test positive, they will be moved to a quarantine hotel and under supervision for 14 days.

• All arrivals to Athens and Thessaloniki from Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and all airports on the EASA affected area list, will be tested. An overnight stay at a hotel of choice is required. If travelers test positive, they will be moved to a quarantine hotel and under supervision for 14 days (also applies for arrivals from Albania and Northern Macedonia).

From July 1

• All travelers to Greece (from all countries) will complete upon arrival (or before boarding their flight) a special electronic form PLF (Passenger load factor) and provide their contact details in Greece. The PLF form will be available online and also via mobile app.
• Inbound travelers to Greece will undergo sample tests.
• Travelers that test positive will be moved to a quarantine hotel and be under supervision for 14 days.

Country-Specific Information:

*Greek authorities confirmed approximately 3,000 cases of COVID-19 within its borders.

*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.

*Travel by ferry to and from islands is permitted. Masks are required. Passengers must complete a health status questionnaire and submit to a temperature check prior to boarding for trips longer than 30 minutes. The form is available here in English and Greek, most ferry operator websites, and at the ports.

*Some flights to islands are operational. Contact the airlines directly for the schedule and possible travel requirements, such as masks.

*Seasonal tourist accommodations open June 15.

*Coffeehouse, restaurants, taverns, bars, beach bars , are open.

You can now move freely around our beating streets, shop in our stores and neighbourhood markets, sample our vibrant restaurants, bars and cafes, unwind in our public parks, and enjoy our world-famous archeological sites and sun-soaked beaches.

Open-air cinemas have re-opened their doors to share this most treasured summer pastime - and museums will follow suit on 15 June. For now, some indoor venues, such as cinemas and theatres, will remain closed.

Social distancing measures will continue to be practised wherever you go so do keep in mind that this may affect capacity at many venues across the city.

Your Safety - What you Need to Know when Visiting Athens:

• Social distancing measures and restrictions apply at open-air archaeological sites such as the Acropolis and also museums (when they re-open on 15 June). Electronic ticket purchases are recommended where possible, along with avoidance of common devices such as tablets and headphones for audio guides. Group tours should be limited to 8.

By the way, you can book our catamarans in Greece now on Sailica.com.

• There is a table limit of 6 people, except for families with children at cafés, coffee shops and restaurants.
• Organised beaches in the wider Athens area (such as Aktis Vouliagmeni, Asteras and Varkiza Resort) must adhere to a cap of 40 people per 1,000 square meters and a distance of at least 4 metres between umbrellas.
• Cultural sites such as Onassis Stegi, libraries, theatres and creative learning centres remain closed. The outdoor spaces and parklands of Stavros Niarchos Cultural Centre have re-opened, subject to advance on-line reservations and quota restrictions.

• Gyms, spas and saunas will re-open 15 June (some sporting facilities re-opened 18 May).
• Social distancing measures are in place in supermarkets and pharmacies allowing one person per 15 square metres. Hand sanitiser pumps have been installed at shop entrances and exits for compulsory use by customers. Cash transactions are to be avoided where possible.
• Churches have re-opened for public services with reduced capacity.

Hotels in and around Athens
Year-round hotels re-opened 1 June; seasonal hotels have been mapped to re-open 15 June, though you may find many opting to wait until later in the season).