COVID-19 requirements to travel to Greece
We present here the requirements, restrictions and rules that apply to travel to Greece in times of COVID-19.
As of March 15, 2022, passengers visiting Greece from any country will not be required to fill out the Passenger Locator Form (PLF). There is a simplified format which can be completed OPTIONALLY, in order to allow the traveler or group of travelers to issue an EU Digital COVID Certificate of the negative or positive result of the COVID-19 test.
Passengers who decide to fill out the simplified PLF format will receive a unique code via email called Quick Response (QR). You can get the PLF on the Visit Greece app or here.
Passengers who arrive in Greece and have an EU Digital COVID Certificate, will not be required to show an extra negative COVID test upon arrival at the airport of the destination. In particular, the entry of travelers from EU member states and Schengen countries, as well as from the 37 non-EU countries that have joined the EU Digital Covid Certificate system, namely:
Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Benin, Cape Verde, Colombia, El Salvador, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Israel, Iceland, Jordan, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, 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,
It is allowed 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 prior to arrival) valid for 9 months after completion of basic vaccination and without time limit for travelers 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, that is, negative result of the molecular test (PCR) carried out up to 72 hours before the scheduled arrival or negative result of the Rapid Antigen test carried out up to 24 hours before the scheduled arrival.
2. Passengers from Australia, Canada and the United States are allowed to enter Greece on the condition that they show:
a) Vaccination certificate (for those who have completed vaccination for COVID-19 at least fourteen (14) days prior to arrival) valid for 9 months after completion of basic vaccination and without time limit for travelers who have received the booster dose. The vaccination certificate must include the full name of the registered traveler in the passport, the type of vaccine administered, the number of doses and the dates of inoculation, or
b) SARS-CoV-2 infection recovery test, 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 scheduled arrival, or negative Rapid Antigen Test performed up to 24 hours before scheduled arrival.
3. Travelers arriving in Greece from ALL other countries, regardless of their vaccination status or proof of recovery, must show a negative molecular test (PCR) result for Covid-19 carried out up to 72 hours before scheduled arrival or a negative Rapid. Result of the antigen test for Covid-19 carried out 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 by public or private reference laboratories in the country of origin or transit, provided that these private laboratories have been certified by the competent authority. country's national certification authority.
The test result must be in the English language and must include the full name of the registered passenger in the passport. The above obligations are mandatory for all travelers entering the country, including children over 5 years of age.
Which vaccines are accepted in Greece?
The best answer is, All of them! The government clarifies as follows:
Pfizer BioNtech, Moderna, Astra Zeneca / Oxford, Novavax, Johnson + Johnson / Janssen, Sinovac Biotech, Gamaleya (Sputnik), Cansino Biologics, Sinopharm among others.
Entrance by land, where can I enter?
You can enter by the border crossings of Promachonas, Ormenio, Evzonoi, Nymfaia, Niki, Doirani, Kristallopigi, Kipi*, Kakavia, Kastanies* and Exohi.
Greca Tip: The Kipi and Kastanies border crossings have a capacity of 1500 passengers per week
IMPORTANT: The conditions of entry to the country are based on the epidemic situation of each country and are updated every 2 weeks. The information provided above is valid until August 27 at 06:00 local time in Athens, Greece and is for informational purposes only.
Requirements of movement within Greece:
If you are going to move within mainland Greece, including the island of Evia, you do not need more than what is mentioned above.
If you are going to move between islands, this is what you need to know urgently:
If you are unvaccinated you need to carry out additional tests whenever you change prefecture or eparchies in Greek (also called a province, etc) full list here. Attention! Not to be confused with the regions which have not been official since 1987.
Greca tip: You can do the PCR test, which is a little more expensive, but lasts longer and use it to leave the Attica region in the direction of, for example, the island of Mykonos or Santorini. Since Mykonos and Santorini are within the same region you can move without another test. Keep in mind that if you have booked extra nights back in Athens, you will have to carry out a test on your return to that region. At Greca, every time you book with us, we can help you with booking a laboratory appointment for you and your companions or arrange a nurse to visit you at your hotel. Payment is made directly to the laboratory or nurse.
How much does a COVID test cost in Greece? How long do the results take?
PCR
In the laboratory: Eur. 60.00 per test average price.
At your hotel: Eur. 120.00 per test average price.
Results delivery time: 36 hours average time, according to the place where it is carried out. A supplement can be paid so that the result is delivered earlier.
RAPID TEST
In the laboratory: Eur. 20.00 per test average price.
Results delivery time: 2 hours average time, according to the place where it is carried out.
SELF TEST
This test where test yourself, is available in most pharmacies and has an average cost of Eur. 5.00 per test.
The laboratories that perform the tests in Athens are open, 24 hours a day!
Greca tip: When returning to your country, if an additional test is necessary, we can also book an appointment for you. Enjoy your vacation with complete peace of mind!
Sources: https://travel.gov.gr/#/ , https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/world.php
