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16 Dec 2021 | 04:27 AM UTC

Greece: Authorities to require all travelers to present a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival starting 06:00 Dec. 19 /update 80

Greece to tighten COVID-19 international entry restrictions from 06:00 Dec. 19; domestic restrictions remain in effect.

Warning

Event

Authorities plan to tighten COVID-19 international entry restrictions starting 06:00 Dec. 19. Regardless of vaccination status, all arrivals must present a negative PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before arrival. Travelers who have stayed abroad for less than 48 hours are exempt.

Domestic Restrictions
Authorities are maintaining enhanced domestic COVID-19-related restrictions as of Dec. 15 amid rising infection rates; the measures will last until Dec. 22. Officials prohibit unvaccinated individuals from entering indoor spaces such as restaurants, cinemas, theaters, museums, and gyms. These people must show a negative result from a COVID-19 taken within the previous 72 hours to enter open-air cafes, restaurants, and bars, as well as religious spaces. Staggered shifts at public and private offices are also in effect to relieve congestion on public transportation and make physical distancing easier in the workplace. Unvaccinated employees must take a COVID-19 test twice per week to enter their places of work.

Most businesses and facilities nationwide operate subject to health controls, including social distancing requirements and capacity limits. Facemasks are mandatory in enclosed and crowded outdoor public spaces.

International Entry Restrictions
All arrivals must complete Greece's Passenger Locator Form (PLF) before arrival. Travelers to Greece may be subject to randomized rapid testing for COVID-19 upon arrival; those who test positive must self-isolate for seven days if vaccinated or 10 days if unvaccinated. Travelers subject to self-isolation must present a negative PCR test result on their last day of quarantine to exit self-isolation.

Only residents of EEA-associated countries and those of Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Australia, Bahrain, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, India, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lebanon, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, the UAE, Ukraine, the UK, Uruguay, and the US can enter Greece for nonessential reasons.

Under existing measures until 06:00 Dec. 19, international travelers must generally possess a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate, a negative result either from a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival or from a rapid antigen test taken no more than 48 hours before arrival, or a valid medical certificate indicating previous COVID-19 infection.

Authorities permit foreign travelers arriving from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to enter for essential reasons only. Permitted arrivals must secure approval from the Greek Embassy/Consulate in their country, present a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival, take a rapid test on arrival, and self-isolate for ten days. Self-isolation ends on the tenth day only with a negative PCR test.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

Greek Government Coronavirus Portal (Greek)
Passenger Locator Form
Health Statement for Sea Travel (Greek)
Schengen Area Countries