Editor’s Note — Coronavirus cases are in flux across the globe. Health officials caution that staying home is the best way to stem transmission until you’re fully vaccinated. Below is information on what to know if you still plan to travel, last updated on August 13.
The basics
What’s on offer
Ancient monuments, myriad islands, spectacular beaches and vast mountains. Greece attracts millions of visitors each year looking for a sunny seaside escape, or a history-focused trip exploring its long and storied past.
Its popular resorts are perfect for partying during the summer, but there’s plenty of space to get away from the crowds, and outside of summer season you’ll often find yourself the only tourist around.
Who can go
Travelers from the following countries may now travel to Greece without quarantine requirements: EU and Schengen Area countries, USA, UK, Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, China, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Moldaova, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, UAE and Ukraine.
Travelers from Montenegro and the Russian Federation are also allowed entry, with different regulations. See below.
Officials says targeted rapid checks will be carried out at entry points and quarantine hotels are ready to accommodate those who test positive during this process.
What are the restrictions?
Travelers from the main bloc of countries allowed entry may skip quarantine, provided they have a negative PCR test within 72 hours before travel, proof of infection within the past 2-9 months, or proof they’ve been fully vaccinated, and completed their cycle at least 14 days earlier. Acceptable vaccines are Pfizer BioNtech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Novovax, Johnson + Johnson, Sinovac, Sputnik, Cansino and Sinopharm. This is in deviation from official EU policy, which is to only admit those who have received EU-approved vaccines.
Arrivals from Montenegro must present both a vaccination certificate and a negative PCR test.
Arrivals from the Russian Federation must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival, or a negative antigen test taken within 48 hours. Vaccination status does not matter for these passengers.
The QR code will tell you whether you need to have an additional test done at the airport. If you do, you must self-isolate until you have the results — around 24 hours.
What’s the Covid situation?
Greece has weathered the Covid storm better than many countries in Europe, but surges have still resulted in nationwide lockdown measures. The country has seen 528,474 Covid cases and a total of 13,126 deaths as of August 13. Full vaccinations currently stand at close to 5,465,647 — or 51% of the population.
What can visitors expect?
Cafes, bars and restaurants are now open across Greece — although indoor seating requires proof of vaccination. That means there’s now a chance of sipping a Mythos beer and scarfing down some souvlaki while watching the sun set over the sparkling Aegean.
Shops have reopened, as have museums and archeological sites, including the Acropolis in Athens. Masks must be worn in all indoor public spaces.
Partial lockdowns are being imposed in some areas where cases have been on the rise. Chania in Crete and the island of Zakynthos are subject to curfews between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m until August 18. Likewise Heralkion in Crete until August 17. Entertainment venues are banned from playing music in these locations.
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Joe Minihane, Julia Buckley, Elinda Labropoulou and Barry Neild contributed to this report