“Welcome to Greece and have a nice holiday”!… This is music to their ears for everyone visiting the country this summer! After months of lockdowns the Covid-19 pandemic brought to the world, people can once again enjoy Greece’s numerous beautiful islands, their beaches and visit the country’s ancient monuments. Greece entry requirements put in place since May 14, have enabled the safe reopening of the country’s tourism and travel sectors. Now visitors can finally find that seaside escape they’ve been longing for all this time!
Who is allowed to travel to Greece this summer?
Greece entry requirements have been devised to safely re-open the country’s borders during the summer season for visitors from all over the world. Since May 14 , Greece’s international ports, airports and land borders are open to travellers in a bid to reboost the county’s tourism sector which has endured a lot from the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the latest entry requirements Greece has introduced, citizens from European Union and Schengen Area countries are allowed to enter the country without any restrictions.
Along with nationals from the EU/Schengen Area countries, Greece is welcoming travellers arriving from countries that have recently reported low numbers of Covid-19 cases of infection.
This means that citizens from the following third countries are currently allowed to visit Greece:
- United Kingdom
- The United States
- Russia
- Canada
- China
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Bahrein
- Belarus
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Israel
- Kuwait
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Qatar
- Rwanda
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Thailand
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
Greek authorities note that all persons travelling to Greece from Montenegro must show both a vaccination certificate and a negative Covid-19 test result, which should not be older than 72 hours at the time of arrival.
As of 30th of June, the same goes for citizens of the Russian Federation. Specifically, they must carry a negative PCR molecular test result from a testing laboratory taken up to 72 hours before arrival, or a negative antigen (rapid) test result taken up to 48 hours before arrival, regardless of whether they are vaccinated or not.
Persons arriving from any other country not part of the EU/Schengen Area or any third country that is not included in the list above, are currently not fulfilling the requirements to visit Greece.
United States citizens are now also welcome to come to Greece after being banned from visiting for over a year. They will have to follow the same rules as the citizens from other countries who are allowed to enter.
Greece entry requirements and restrictions
One of the first entry requirements in Greece is the Passenger Locator Form. Before entering the Greek borders and no later than the day prior to arrival, tourists and other foreign visitors must have their PLF filled in. The form requires detailed information on the visitor’s departure location, the duration of their recent stays in other countries before arriving to Greece, and their Greek address during their visit in the country.
Also visitors who are entering Greece from the list of countries mentioned above and from any EU/Schengen Area country, must submit at least one of the following valid documents:
Certification proving vaccination against COVID-19
The Certificate must verify that a minimum of 14 days have passed since the person has been fully vaccinated against coronavirus, before entering Greece. The Covid-19 vaccines recognized by Greek Authorities are Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca-Oxford, Novavax, Johnson & Johnson, Sinovac Biotech, Sputnik V, Cansino Biologics, and Sinopharm.
In order to be accepted, the vaccination certificates must be issued by the public authorities of the respective countries either in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, or Russian.
The certification must state the traveller’s name, the type of vaccine that has been administered, the COVID-19 vaccine dose(s) injected, and the date of administration.
However, the Greek Government has made it clear that permission to enter Greece is not subject to whether or not travellers are vaccinated: “Entry of tourists in Greece is not subject to vaccination. Presenting a vaccination certificate greatly facilitates the procedures upon arrival.”
Certification of a negative Covid-19 test result as an entry requirement
All persons coming to Greece, excluding children under the age of six, must show a negative Covid-19 test result to the Greek Authorities. The test should be taken no later than 72 hours prior to arriving in the country.
Certification proving recovery from the COVID-19 in the past nine months
As an alternative entry requirement Greece accepts Covid-19 recovery certificates issued by a public authority or a certified laboratory. Also visitors can present a prior positive PCR test result, taken at least two months before arrival and no later than nine months before arrival.
Other entry requirements and restrictions
Travellers coming to Greece should know that providing any of the above documentation upon arrival doesn’t mean they are exempt from mandatory random health screenings. Drawn from a targeted sampling system, these screenings can also include a rapid antigen test. Visitors who do not wish to be subjected to a health screening, risk of being refused entry into the country.
In the event such random tests results are positive, those travellers as well as their companions will be accommodated in quarantine hotels for further health checks. Their quarantine will last at least 10 days, with the Greek State covering the expenses.
Finally, in terms of requirements in maritime, Greek authorities highlight that while cruising and yachting is permitted, maritime connections with Turkey are temporarily restricted.
Best destinations in Greece
Once you meet the entry requirements you must choose the appropriate destination for you in Greece. Knowing that Greece’s beaches, restaurants and cafes are now open to welcome people from around the world, it is certainly a challenge to choose the best destination out of hundreds of beautiful islands.
For sure, relaxing on a covid-free island is the first criteria to pick a Greek dream destination this summer. And Mykonos and Santorini, the two majestic Cycladic islands in the Aegean, offer even more than that.
Mykonos
The island of the winds is famous all over the world for its wonderful beaches, astounding views, beautiful architecture, amazing cuisine, not to mention its incredible aura! Mykonos offers a summer vacation made for greek gods as well as for celebrities, influencers, multimillionaires and all tourists who want to enjoy an unforgettable holiday experience!
Like luxury villas in Skiathos, Mykonos breathtaking villas, scattered remotely around the island with the Aegean blue as their backdrop, offer all the peace and tranquillity a visitor desires. A great choice of luxury holiday accommodation in the pandemic era for visitors who prefer not to be surrounded by many people within close proximity.
Santorini
Born out of its volcanic ashes, Santorini isn’t known around the world just for its active volcano. The island’s natural beauty, with its unique beaches, indelibly impressive sunsets and second-to-none hospitality, is truly a superb gem that rises high above the pure blue of the Aegean sea. It is where one can enjoy lifetime experiences of true wonder, whether that’s cruising around the island on a luxury yacht or tasting Santorini’s world-famous assyrtiko wine.
Santorini also is the island with some of the most awesome villas in the world with their private pools offering a spectacular view of the Aegean. This is why, just like in Mykonos, in light of the pandemic, many of the island’s premium visitors don’t limit themselves to a crowded hotel and choose to stay in one of Santorini’s luxury villas. Doing so they are allowed to enjoy the island away from the crowds and enjoy the island to the maximum.
Mykonos and Santorini are the two Greek destinations most famous around the world, so a visit there is a true dream holiday. But the greek dream doesn’t end just there. With Greece entry requirements safeguarding the safety of tourists and locals this summer, visitors have an abundance of hidden greek heavens to explore.
