Greece reopened its borders to tourists on June 15, 2020. It’s one of the countries open for tourism, and since May 15, 2021, tourist attractions have been open and international travel is allowed.

All travelers must complete a Passenger Locator Form no later than 11:59 PM the day before arriving in Greece. Fully vaccinated travelers are exempt from the pre-arrival PCR test requirement, but they must present proof of vaccination.

All unvaccinated travelers must have proof of a negative PCR COVID test result that was obtained within 72 hours before entry to Greece, a negative rapid antigen test from within 48 hours of entry, or proof of recovery from COVID-19.

All travelers will be subject to random rapid testing on arrival. If they test positive, they will undergo further PCR testing and must stay in a quarantine hotel for up to 10 days.

Travelers from the EU, Schengen Area, Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, China, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lebanon, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, UK, US, and Ukraine are currently the only travelers that can enter Greece.

Can I travel to Greece right now?

At the moment, you can only travel to Greece if you are coming from EU/Schengen Area countries (European Union, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Iceland) or from certain specific countries. Below is a map of all the countries that are currently allowed to visit Greece.

Greece COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements

Greece entry requirements for travelers are pretty standard. All travelers must complete a Passenger Locator Form online by 11:59 PM the day before they arrive in Greece.

If you’re fully vaccinated (meaning you’ve received the last dose of your vaccine at least 14 days ago), you are exempt from the pre-arrival PCR test requirement. If you have not been vaccinated, you must have a negative PCR COVID test result that was obtained within 72 hours before entry to Greece, a negative rapid antigen test from within 48 hours of entry, or proof of recovery from COVID-19.

Travelers from Russia must have proof of a negative PCR test result from within 72 hours of their arrival in Greece or a negative rapid antigen test result from within 48 hours of arrival whether they are vaccinated or not. They will also undergo a PCR or rapid antigen test on arrival and must test negative.

All travelers will be subject to random rapid testing on arrival. If they test positive, they will undergo further PCR testing and must stay in a quarantine hotel for up to 10 days. Quarantine hotel expenses are covered by the Greek state.

COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Greece

Vaccinated travelers from the EU, Schengen Area, Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, China, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lebanon, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, UK, US, and Ukraine are exempt from the pre-arrival PCR test requirement as long as they have proof of vaccination.

Vaccinated travelers must have received the final dose of their vaccine at least 14 days prior to travel. Proof of vaccination must be in the form of a medical certificate. The certificate must be in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, or Russian and include the traveler’s full name, the type of vaccine, the number of doses, and the dates of inoculation.

Acceptable vaccines include Pfizer, Moderna, Astra Zeneca, Novovax, Johnson and Johnson, Sinovac, Gamaleya (Sputnik), Cansino, and Sinopharm.

Travelers from Russia must have proof of a negative PCR test result from within 72 hours of their arrival in Greece or a negative rapid antigen test result from within 48 hours of arrival whether they are vaccinated or not. They will also undergo a PCR or rapid antigen test on arrival and must test negative.

Is PCR testing mandatory to travel to Greece?

All unvaccinated travelers must have a negative PCR test result from within 72 hours of arrival, a negative rapid antigen test from within 48 hours of arrival, or proof of recovery from COVID-19.

You will not be allowed to board your flight without proof of a negative test result, proof of recovery from COVID-19, or proof of vaccination.

Children under the age of 12 are exempt from this testing requirement.

Travelers from Russia, regardless of their vaccination status, must have proof of a negative PCR test result from within 72 hours of their arrival in Greece or a negative rapid antigen test result from within 48 hours of arrival. They will also undergo a PCR or rapid antigen test on arrival in Greece and must obtain a negative result.

Is a PLF mandatory to travel to Greece?

Yes, unless you are transiting through a Greek airport, you must complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) by 11:59 PM the day before you arrive in Greece. The form should be completed online here.

Once you have completed the form, you will receive a confirmation email, which you must present in order to board your flight to Greece. You will also receive a QR code at midnight on the day of your scheduled arrival in Greece, which you must present if it arrives before you board your flight. If you have not received your QR code before your flight, your confirmation email will be enough to enable you to board your flight.

Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Greece?

There is no mandatory quarantine for travelers upon arrival in Greece as long as they do not test positive if they are randomly tested on arrival.

All travelers will be subject to random rapid testing on arrival in Greece. If they test positive, they will undergo further PCR testing and must stay in a quarantine hotel for up to 10 days. Quarantine hotel expenses are covered by the Greek state.

Is travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage mandatory to travel to Greece?

No, travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage is not required for entry into Greece. However, it’s highly recommended.

According to the CDC, COVID-19 risk in Greece is high, and they recommend unvaccinated travelers avoid traveling to Greece.

If you’re planning to visit Greece, I strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage for testing and treatment abroad. You can check our COVID-19 travel insurance comparison chart here, where we found out that Heymondo is the best option for traveling safely during the COVID pandemic.

Also, you can get a 5% discount on your insurance for being our reader.

Other travel restrictions for Greece during COVID-19

There are several rules travelers need to follow while they are in Greece:

• Travelers from all countries should prepare for potential random testing upon arrival.

• All travelers by air and ferry need to wear masks.

• All travelers must complete the Passenger Locator Form online before they leave Greece.

• Face masks must be worn in all indoor and outdoor public spaces in Greece.

• Large gatherings are not allowed.

• • Depending on your nationality, you may need a tourist visa to enter Greece. Check if you need one below.

What’s open in Greece

Greece has begun lifting restrictions, so many places are open in Greece right now. Hotels, beaches, restaurants, and some attractions are all open.

Hotels that are open in Greece

Hotels and accommodations are open in Greece. We highly recommend these places to stay in Greece:

• Electra Palace (Athens)
• Grande Bretagne Hotel (Athens)
• Perivolas Hotel (Oia)
• Canaves Oia Suites & Spa (Oia)
• Electra Palace (Thessaloniki)
• The Wild by Interni (Santorini)
• Alissachni (Mykonos)

Guests should wear masks in public areas and abide by social distancing guidelines. They should also try to use contactless payment where possible.

Beaches that are open in Greece

Beaches in Greece are open, so visiting tourists can feel free to soak up some sun.

Beach umbrellas and chairs must be placed at least 4 meters apart and will undergo regular disinfection. Beachgoers do not have to wear masks while they are swimming or sunbathing, just when they are entering, walking around, and exiting the beach.

More information on beach regulations is available here.

Attractions that are open and tours that are operating in Greece

Outdoor attractions, such as archaeological sites and zoos, are open and tours are operating in Greece. These are some of our favorite tours in Greece:

• Acropolis of Athens
• Santorini cruise
• Oia at sunset from Santorini
• From Santorini: Volcanic Islands Cruise with Palea Kameni Hot Springs
• From Athens: 1-Day Guided Tour of Delphi
• From Thessaloniki: Full-Day Bus Trip to Meteora

Visitors to archaeological sites and museums must keep a 1.5-meter distance away from others and wear masks in crowded outdoor areas and indoor areas. Attraction capacities are limited, so you may want to book tickets in advance.

Visitors to zoos and bioreserves must pre-book tickets and maintain a 2-meter distance from others. They must also wear masks at all times. Capacity is limited to one person per 16 square meters. Groups are limited to 20 people.

More details on attraction regulations can be found here and here.

Restaurants that are open in Greece

Restaurants in Greece are currently open for indoor dining, outdoor dining, delivery, and takeout.

Cafes and restaurants with separate entrances and exits and ventilation are allowed to operate indoor dining. Fully vaccinated travelers can enter restaurants without a mask. Unvaccinated travelers must present a negative rapid test result in order to enter restaurants.

Restaurants can either operate at 85% capacity with fully vaccinated customers only or at 50% capacity with vaccinated and unvaccinated customers.

More information on dining regulations is available here and here.

Airports that are open in Greece

Greece’s main airport, Athens International Airport, is open.

Travelers must wear masks at all times and follow social distancing guidelines. They may also be subject to random testing on arrival.

Restrictions for traveling withIN GREECE and the greek islands

Traveling from the Mainland to the Greek islands

All passengers who are traveling to the Greek islands from the mainland, whether by air or ferry, and are 12 years of age or older must present either proof of full vaccination at least 14 days prior, a negative PCR test result from within 72 hours of travel, a negative rapid test from within 24 hours of travel, or proof of recovery from COVID-19 within the past 2 to 9 months.

Passengers who are 12 to 17 years old can also present a negative self-test from within 24 hours of travel. For tests administered by a healthcare professional, proof of test results must be provided either on paper or electronically. Self-test results must be reported with this Self-Test Declaration form or on this website.

Travelers to the islands from the mainland who are over 18 must also complete a digital health statement form or its print version. Children under the age of 12 do not need any kind of test to travel from the mainland to the islands.

Traveling from the Greek Islands to the Mainland

To travel from the islands to the mainland, passengers should complete a digital health statement form or its print version. There is no COVID-19 test requirement for ferry travel from the islands to the mainland, but having a self-test declaration is encouraged.

Island Hopping

For island hopping between islands in the same administrative region, travelers do not need to complete a health statement form, but they must present either proof of full vaccination at least 14 days prior, a negative PCR test result from within 72 hours of travel, a negative rapid test/self-test from within 24 hours of travel, or proof of recovery from COVID-19 within the past 2 to 9 months.

For island hopping between islands in different administrative regions, travelers do not need to complete a health statement form, but they must provide either proof of full vaccination at least 14 days prior, a negative PCR test result from within 72 hours of travel, a negative rapid test from within 24 hours of travel, or proof of recovery from COVID-19 within the past 2 to 9 months.

Where to get a PCR test in Greece – COVID-19 Testing in Greece

Your country may require you to take a PCR test in order to fly back home. If you need to get a PCR test in Greece, here is some information on testing.

Greece reopening to travel – F.A.Q.

Check out these FAQs related to Greece reopening for tourists and let us know if you have any other questions in the comments below.

Sources

This guide to Greece reopening for tourism will be updated with any new change in developments. However, if you need more information on Greece and COVID-19, you can check the following official sources.

• US Embassy COVID-19 Updates on Greece
• CDC Travel Recommendations for Greece
• General Greece Travel Advisory
• National Public Health Organization
• Athens International Airport – COVID FAQ
• Greek Reopening Plan in English
• Greek Government’s Civil Protection Website in Greek
• Passenger Locator Form and Information on Current Restrictions in Greece