Travellers entering Greece with a European vaccination certificate will no longer be required to show a negative test for COVID-19 from 7 February, the tourism and health ministries said on Friday.
A country that is heavily reliant on tourism, Greece has been gradually easing the travel restrictions that were originally put in place in order to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Under the current restrictions, air passengers, including children above the age of five, have to show a rapid antigen test taken 24 hours before arrival or a PCR test no more than 72 hours old to enter Greece.
However from February 7, a valid digital European Union vaccination certificate will suffice according to Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias, who said that the country expects summer tourists to start arriving from March 1 - earlier than in past years.
The European vaccination certificate is issued to people who have been vaccinated, received a negative test result or have proof of recovery from COVID-19.
"Greece has shown remarkable resilience sending a message of safety to our country's visitors in the past two years. It will do the same this year," said Kikilias.
Random tests are conducted at airports and if the test result is positive, travellers must quarantine for five days.
On Thursday, Portugal announced that it will also be scrapping the requirement for a negative test for arriving travellers.
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