Holidays in the era of COVID-19: How to travel to Greece in the summer of 2021

Last update: June 6, 2021

Important: Please confirm any information by visiting official websites and other resources when able. athenstransport.com bears no responsibility for the accuracy of information shared on Greek government websites and quoted here. Remember that protocols and rules are subject to change at any moment (with short or no prior notice by the government) as the COVID-19 situation remains fluid.

Passenger Location Form essential for arrival to Greece

COVID-19 travel resources:

• Protocol for arrivals to Greece
• PFL website
• Health Statement Form for travelling by ship (essential for every trip by passenger ship)
• COVID-19 Advice for travellers by the National Public Health Organization
• COVID-19 tracking data by regional unit and island
• COVID-19 vaccination website

Guidelines for arrival to Greece

Since May 14th 2021, the borders of Greece are open, under specific guidelines for arrivals:

– As of May 14th, travelers arriving in Greece are required to have a negative PCR certificate from a testing laboratory, for a Covid-19 test taken no later than 72 hours before arrival. This test is mandatory for all tourists (including children over the age of 5), regardless of the epidemiological situation in the country of departure.

– Proof of a negative test is not required however for all travelers that have completed their vaccination (i.e., 14 days have elapsed since the last vaccination, depending on the doses required) and hold a vaccination certificate.

Acceptable vaccines are: Pfizer BioNtech, Moderna, Astra Zeneca/Oxford, Novavax, Johnson + Johnson/Janssen, Sinovac Biotech, Gamaleya (Sputnik), Cansino Biologics, Sinopharm among others.

– Proof of a negative PCR test is not required if the traveler was tested positive with COVID-19 in the past 2 to 9 months. This can be proved either by presenting a positive PCR molecular or an antigen test result performed by an authorized laboratory or a medical certificate confirming that the holder was tested positive with SARS-CoV-2 virus infection.

– Every traveler who arrives in Greece, regardless of the certificate in their possession, may undergo a random health screening. If you are selected, please keep in mind that the screening is mandatory. In case of refusal, authorities reserve the right to refuse entry into the country. The selection is made through a targeted sampling system ”EVA” used also in the summer of 2020.

– Important clarification: Entry of tourists in Greece is not subject to vaccination. Presenting a vaccination certificate greatly facilitates the procedures upon arrival. However, in no case is a vaccination or antibodies certificate considered a “passport”.

– The countries from which entry is allowed, under the aforementioned conditions, without the requirement for subsequent self-isolation are: EU & Schengen Area countries, USA, UK, Israel, Serbia, UAE, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, Thailand, Rwanda, Singapore, the Russian Federation, North Macedonia, Canada, Belarus, Bahrein, Qatar, China, Kuwait, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Saudi Arabia.

– Non EU citizens are strongly advised to choose direct flights to Greece. In any other case, travelers should abide by the stop-over country requirements. Passengers are allowed to enter the country through all international airports and the ports of Patras, Igoumenitsa and Corfu.

Travellers are allowed to enter from the land borders through the entry gates of Promachonas and Ormenio in a 24h basis and Evzonoi and Nymfaia from 07:00 to 23:00.

Cruising and yachting is allowed. Maritime connections with Albania and Turkey are temporarily restricted.

Requirements for travelers

Before arrival to Greece:

– Tourists must fill in the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) no later than 23:59 (11.59 PM) of the day before arriving in Greece. For more information, please click here.

Prior to departure, all travelers must ensure that they carry an acceptable form of certification of their health condition. Acceptable documents include:

– A negative PCR molecular test result from a laboratory; the test must be taken up to 72 hours before entry.

– A vaccination certificate issued by a certified authority.

– A certificate of recovery from the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection issued by a public authority or a certified laboratory.

– Proof that the traveler was tested positive with COVID-19 in the past 2 to 9 months. This can be proved either by presenting a positive PCR molecular or an antigen test result performed by an authorized laboratory or a medical certificate confirming that the holder was tested positive with SARS-CoV-2 virus infection.

All certificates must include the critical information (i.e. number of doses and their respective dates) in English, German French, Italian, Spanish, Russian and the person’s full name must match the name on the passport or any other recognized travel document.

Upon arrival to Greece:

Travelers arriving in Greece are subject to:

– Sampling RAPID antigen tests at the entrance gates for selected individuals drawn from a targeted sampling system, based on the ”EVA” system.

– Mandatory isolation if they test positive for SARS-Cov-2, following a sampling test. In this case, the travelers and their travel companions are accommodated in quarantine hotels, where they will undergo further PCR testing to confirm the initial diagnosis. Guests will stay in seclusion hotels for at least 10 days. The expenses of the accommodation in quarantine hotels are covered by the Greek state.

Read Frequently Asked Questions and answers on the opening of Greek tourism

Athens Transport information:

• Summer 2021 coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance and general information on Athens Transport
• Athens Transport Tickets and Cards
• How to transfer between the Athens Airport (and port) and the city
• 20 places to visit in Athens, Greece and how to get there

Source: Greek government