Greece: Authorities maintaining tighter domestic COVID-19-related restrictions for unvaccinated individuals as of Dec. 3 /update 79

Event

Authorities are maintaining enhanced domestic COVID-19-related restrictions as of Dec. 3 amid rising infection rates; the measures are expected to last until Dec. 22. Unvaccinated individuals are prohibited from entering indoor spaces such as restaurants, cinemas, theatres, museums, and gyms. They must also show a negative result from a recently taken COVID-19 test to enter open-air cafes, restaurants, and bars, as well as religious spaces. The test must have been carried out within the last 72 hours before using it. 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. Previously, unvaccinated people were required to provide a negative PCR test to enter all businesses and services open to the public, except for grocery stores and pharmacies. Additionally, unvaccinated employees in the public and private sectors must take a COVID-19 test twice per week to enter their places of work, up from once per week.

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. To enter Greece, 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 infection with COVID-19.

Residents of Russia must present a negative COVID-19 test result, regardless of vaccination status, to enter Greece and are subject to COVID-19 testing upon arrival. Residents of Argentina, Chile, India, Oman, and Uruguay must submit to a COVID-19 test upon arrival, regardless of vaccination status. Unvaccinated travelers who have not recovered from COVID-19 and are arriving from Albania, Argentina, Bulgaria, Brazil, China, Cuba, Egypt, Georgia, India, Libya, Morocco, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey, and the UAE must take a rapid COVID-19 test upon arrival. Those travelers who test positive upon arrival will need to take a PCR test to confirm the initial result.

In addition to being subject to the abovementioned measures, travelers arriving in any of the Greek islands by sea, including those traveling domestically by sea, must complete a Health Statement Form within 24 hours before sea travel.

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