From 15 March 2022 onwards, travellers visiting Greece are no longer required to fill out the Passenger Locator Form (PLF).
However, a simplified PLF remains in operation, the completion of which is OPTIONAL, for the sole purpose of enabling the traveller / family to issue an EU Certificate of negative or positive COVID-19 test result.
Travellers, who decide to fill out the simplified form, will receive the PLF with their unique Quick Response (QR) code via email (the QR code will be provided in a link in the email).
The PLF can also be found on the Visit Greece app and at travel.gov.gr. It is strongly recommended that all visitors download the Visit Greece app (GDPR compliant) for free, prior to their arrival in Greece.
Note to all travellers:
The official portal of the Hellenic Republic to complete the simplified PLF is travel.gov.gr.
Any other websites that act as intermediaries, are not approved and are considered to be fraudulent. We therefore advise travellers to complete the simple process directly on travel.gov.gr
If you are visiting Greece and have been tested negative against COVID, you can issue an EU Digital COVID Certificate using your PLF registration data here.
Dear Traveller,
We welcome you to Greece and hope you enjoy a wonderful and unforgettable holiday experience.
On behalf of the Greek Government and the Greek Ministry of Tourism, we would like to inform you that we have done everything in our power to make sure you stay safe during your stay in Greece. Your health is our absolute priority.
Since the 14th of May 2021, Greece has opened its borders in a safe and attainable manner.
In the following paragraphs, we provide a step-by-step guide on how each visitor can prepare before traveling to Greece. These guidelines are in place to ensure the protection of your health, as well as the health of your loved ones and all those involved in providing a safe hosting experience:
*IMPORTANT NOTE* The requirement for completion of Passenger Locator Form (PLF) by visitors from ALL countries is no more mandatory from March 15, 2022.
A. Travellers arriving in Greece, during the period from 07.03.2022 until 21.03.2022, holding a European Union Digital Covid Certificate (https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/coronavirus-response/safe-covid-19-vaccines-europeans/eu-digital-covid-certificate_en) are not obliged to show an extra negative COVID test result upon their arrival.
In particular, entry of travellers coming from EU member states and Schengen countries, as well as from the 35 non-EU countries that have joined the EU Digital Covid Certificate system, namely: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Benin, Cabo Verde, El Salvador, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Israel, Iceland, Jordan, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, 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, is permitted 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 before arrival) valid for 9 months after the completion of the basic vaccination and without time limit for travellers 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, namely, negative molecular test result (PCR) performed up to 72 hours before the scheduled arrival or negative Rapid Antigen test result performed up to 24 hours before the scheduled arrival.
B. Travellers arriving from Australia, Canada and the United States of America are permitted to enter Greece under the condition that they display one of the following:
a) Vaccination certificate (for those who have completed vaccination for COVID-19 at least fourteen (14) days before arrival) valid for 9 months after the completion of the basic vaccination and without time limit for travellers who have received the booster dose. The vaccination certificate must include the full name of the traveller as registered in the passport, the type of vaccine given, the number of doses and inoculation dates, or
b) Proof 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) Negative molecular test for COVID-19 (PCR) performed up to 72 hours before the scheduled arrival, or negative Rapid Antigen test performed up to 24 hours before the scheduled arrival.
C. Travellers arriving in Greece from ALL other countries, regardless of their vaccination status or proof of recovery, are required to display a negative molecular test result (PCR) for Covid-19 performed up to 72 hours before the scheduled arrival or a negative Rapid Antigen test result for Covid-19 performed 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 from reference laboratories of the country of origin or transit, public or private, provided that these private laboratories have been certified by the competent national certification authority of the country. The test result must be in English language and must include the full name of the passenger as registered in the passport.
The above obligations are mandatory for all travellers entering the country, including children over 5 years old.
Acceptable vaccines are of: Pfizer BioNtech, Moderna, Astra Zeneca / Oxford, Novavax, Johnson & Johnson / Janssen, Sinovac Biotech, Gamaleya (Sputnik), Cansino Biologics, Sinopharm among others.
All travellers arriving in Greece, regardless of the certificate in their possession, may be subject to random obligatory molecular test (PCR) or Rapid Antigen Test for COVID-19. If you are selected, please note that testing is mandatory. In case of refusal, the authorities reserve the right to refuse entry into the country. The selection is made through a system of targeted sampling with the application of a health algorithm for the best epidemiological observation and shielding of the country, used since summer of 2020.
Citizens of third countries are strongly advised to choose direct flights to Greece. In any other case, travellers must comply with the requirements of the transit country. Passengers are allowed to enter the country through all international airports and all ports under the above conditions.
According to the above, travellers are also allowed to enter from land borders, through the entrance gates of Promachonas, Ormenios, Evzoni, Nymfaia, Exochis, Nikis, Doirani, Krystallopigi, Kipi, Kakavia, Kastania and Mavromatiou, on a 24h basis.
Through the Mertziani Entrance Gate entrance is allowed from 8.00 to 20.00.
Cruising and yachting is allowed. The entry of yachts in Greece, regardless of flag, coming from Turkey is only allowed into ports of Kavala, Mytilene, Chios, Vathy and Pythagoras of Samos, Myrina of Lemnos, Symi, Skala of Patmos, as well as the tourist ports of Kos and Rhodes.
REQUIREMENTS FOR VISITORS
Before arrival:
Passenger Locator Form (PLF) requirement is no more mandatory from March 15, 2022.
However, a simplified PLF remains in operation, the completion of which is OPTIONAL, for the sole purpose of enabling the traveller / family to issue an EU Certificate of negative or positive COVID-19 test result.
For more information, please click here.
Prior to departure, all travellers older than 5 years old must ensure that they carry an acceptable form of certification of their health condition, as stated above.
Upon arrival:
All travellers are subject to random obligatory Covid-19 tests upon arrival.
If found positive, a five (5) day quarantine under supervision is required either at home or at a designated temporary residence assigned by the appropriate authorities. The quarantine period starts the next day of their positive diagnosis. Following the five (5) day period and if the symptoms have receded and the travellers are feverless for 24 hours without the use of antipyretics, they are released from quarantine. If the fever insists, the travellers remain in isolation until the fever has fully receded. The above travellers must wear high protection breathing mask (FFP2 or N95) or a combination of two masks for at least 5 days after their release from isolation.
Compliance with the health protocols during transport and throughout your entire stay in Greece is the key factor that will allow all of us to stay safe and return to normality.
We appreciate your understanding and apologize in advance for any additional inconvenience.
We extend a warm thank you for the cooperation and for choosing our country for your holidays.
We look forward to welcoming you to Greece.
FREQUENT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. How can one travel to Greece?
Greece welcomes visitors applying advanced health protection protocols. Greek Tourism operates with the maximum safety possible, for tourists, employees and every person involved in the provision of tourist services.
Entry into Greece is allowed under the following conditions:
From 15 March 2022 onwards, travellers visiting Greece are no longer required to fill out the Passenger Locator Form (PLF).
However, a simplified PLF remains in operation, the completion of which is OPTIONAL, for the sole purpose of enabling the traveller / family to issue an EU Certificate of negative or positive COVID-19 test result.
A. Travellers coming from EU member states and Schengen countries, as well as from the 35 non-EU countries that have joined the EU Digital Covid Certificate system, must hold an EU Digital COVID Certificate.
B. Travellers coming from Australia, Canada and the United States of America must display one of the following:
a) Vaccination certificate (for those who have completed vaccination for COVID-19 at least fourteen (14) days before arrival) valid for 9 months after the completion of the basic vaccination and without time limit for travellers who have received the booster dose, or
b) Proof 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) Negative molecular test for COVID-19 (PCR) performed up to 72 hours before arrival, or negative Rapid Antigen test performed up to 24 hours before arrival.
C. Travellers from ALL other countries must show either a negative PCR test performed up to 72 hours prior to arrival or a negative (rapid) antigen test performed up to 24 hours prior to arrival, issued by a certified diagnostic center in the English language.
Upon entering Greece, visitors may undergo targeted COVID-19 tests. In the event of a positive result, travellers will be temporarily accommodated in an isolation hotel, free of charge. If a positive incident is detected following a sampling test at the land borders, then entry into the country may not be allowed.
2. What are the health protocols for the people working in the tourism sector?
Employees in the Greek tourism sector are being vaccinated with the general population, according to government planning. Until they are vaccinated, all employees are required to undergo COVID-19 tests at the frequency set by the current Joint Ministerial Decision, as in force. In addition, they are encouraged to test even more frequently to ensure timely isolation.
3. Which vaccines are acceptable for the vaccination certificate?
Acceptable vaccines are among others:
Pfizer BioNtech mRNA / Comirnaty
Moderna mRNA / Spikevax
Astra Zeneca/Oxford ChAdOx1 nCoV (AZD1222) / Vaxzevria
Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Ad26
Sinavac/Coronavac
Gamaleya (Sputnik) Ad26/Ad5, Gam-COVID-Vac, Sputnik vaccine
Cansiνo Biologics AD5-nCOV, trade-named Convidencia
Sinopharm
Covishield ChAdOx1 nCoV
BBV152 COVAXIN Bharat Biotech, India Whole virion inactivated
4. What applies to international flights?
As of 14.05.2021, flight restrictions from EU countries have been lifted and no mandatory quarantine is required. In addition, our country welcomes flights to all international airports.
5. What applies to land travel?
It is allowed to enter Greece through the aforementioned land borders on a 24h basis. Through the Mertziani Gate entrance is allowed from 8.00 to 20.00.
6. What about ferry connections?
As of 14.05.2021, the quarantine is lifted for passengers who arrive by ferry through all the port entrances. For maritime connections with Turkey please refer to the conditions mentioned above.
7. What will apply to guests during their stay?
During their stay in Greece, foreign visitors must follow all measures that apply to Greek citizens. In particular, access to indoor areas of restaurants, leisure and sports facilities is allowed only after showing a vaccination certificate valid for 7 months after the completion of the basic vaccination and without time limit for those who have received the booster dose.
8. Are there business activity health protocols in force?
The Greek Ministry of Tourism has released specific Health Protocols against COVID-19 to be applied by all Greek tourism enterprises for their safe operation in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and has introduced the National “Health First” certification seal for tourist accommodation establishments that comply with the relevant requirements.
Health Protocols apply to all Greek tourism enterprises that wish to continue operation during the pandemic and aim to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission to employees and customers.
9. Are there quarantine hotels?
Specific isolation (quarantine) hotels operate near each entrance gate, as well as in other strategic points nationwide. This way, an adequate safety net for case management is in place, combined with an early detection upon the arrival of tourists from abroad. The cost for the isolation hotels is covered by the Greek state.
10. Can I quarantine at my hotel if I am diagnosed with COVID-19?
Visitors who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 upon arrival can isolate at their booked hotel, only in the case the hotel is a 4* and 5* and provides the service of quarantine rooms as specified by the competent Health Authorities. According to legislation, the visitor upon arrival can request from the Civil Protection authorities to contact her/his booked hotel regarding the availability of such service.
11. Is the departure and arrival of private yachts allowed and from which countries?
The departure and arrival of yachts is allowed with strict protocols, while the same terms and conditions will apply to both Greeks and foreign citizens.
12. What is the situation with cruise ships?
As of 14.05.2021, cruise restrictions have been completely removed, always imposing very strict protocols that apply to these activities.
13. What if the visitor's country requires a test for his / her return?
It is possible to perform PCR or rapid antigen tests directly at the place where each guest stays if the guest needs a test for returning home. This makes it easier for every tourist to be consistent with his/her obligations in order to safely return to his/her country.
