As of July 1, Greece will open to tourism following the relaxation of coronavirus-related restrictions.
The following information was released by Government spokesman Stelios Petsas.
"Greece is proceeding to the next step of restoring travel flows, based on the protection of workers in tourism, residents of tourist destinations and its visitors," he said.
TRAVELLERS
- All permanent residents of EU member states are allowed in the country. This includes permanent residents of the Schengen-related countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Romania, Switzerland) as well as Ireland and the United Kingdom. All non-EU residents may enter if they have a residence permit for Greece. Restrictions do not apply to those on exemption lists, such as, for example, health-related workers, seasonal farm workers, transportation workers, members of the armed forces and those whose work cannot be carried out at a distance.
- Every two weeks, Greece will renew the list of countries whose permanent residents will be allowed entry, based on EU guidelines. Currently the countries are Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay. China will be reviewed for reciprocity.
- Non-EU residents are expected to show documentation for proof of residence.
FLIGHTS
- As of July 1, international flights may arrive at any airport in Greece. (Initially, they could only land at the Athens and Thessaloniki International Airports.)
- Direct flights from Sweden and the United Kingdom are banned until July 15.
LAND BORDERS
- At borders with Bulgaria, entry is allowed to visitors only at the border station of Promachonas. The rest will be open to people travelling for exceptional reasons.
- At borders with Albania, North Macedonia and Turkey, entry is allowed only for exceptional reasons.
SEA BORDERS
- The Patras and Igoumenitsa entry ports are open.
CONTROLS AT ENTRY POINTS TO GREECE
- All travellers to Greece are obliged to have filled out the online Passenger Locator Form 48 hours before departure.
- Travellers will be subjected to random sampling (Covid-19 test) during their entrance to the country, and must follow the directives of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection. The protocols are based on an analysis and evaluation of epidemiological data prepared by Greek doctors and engineers.
- Additionally, a total of 126 officers of the Greek Armed Forces medical corps will be assigned to 22 airports and 4 cruise ship entry points as of July 1 to assist with the collection of samples for Covid-19 diagnostic testing.
- The medical corps will be on duty at these points for three months, following a a request for assistance by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection to Minister of National Defence Nikos Panagiotopoulos. The officers will only be involved in helping with the collection of samples, while the number of tests and their further processing is the sole responsibility of the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Organization.
Petsas added that "Greece, in collaboration with its EU partners, retains the right to review its policies on these issues based on epidemiological data developments."
