Welcome to Greece! Protocol for Arrivals in Greece

Announcement regarding flights from Sweden, Belgium, Spain, Netherlands, Albania and the Republic of North Macedonia to Greece.

Passengers of flights from Bulgaria, Romania, U.A.E. and Malta (as of August 11, 2020 until 31 August 2020) and passengers of flights from Sweden, Belgium, Spain, Netherlands, Albania and the Republic of North Macedonia (as of August 17, 2020 until 31 August 2020) to Greece will be required to have a negative molecular test result (PCR) for COVID-19, performed up to 72 hours before their entry to Greece.

This does also apply to Greek citizens, permanent residents of Greece and travelers for essential professional reasons. Travelers should be laboratory tested with RT-PCR of oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal swab.

Only travelers who carry a certificate of a negative RT-PCR test result will be allowed by the border authorities to enter the country. The certificates should be written in English and bear the name and passport/national ID number of the traveler.

The Laboratories that perform the RT-PCR testing should be:

1. National Reference laboratories
2. National Public Health Laboratories or
3. Private laboratories which are accredited from the respective national accreditation authorities (not necessarily specifically for COVID-19).

Certificates that do not fulfill the above criteria will not be accepted. Certificate forgery is punished by Greek Law.

Children under 10 years old are not subject to the obligation to a PCR test.

Travelers will still have to complete and submit their PLF form and may be subject to random testing upon arrival to the Greek border.

• Arrival at the entry gate.
• Transfer to the area where the screening personnel are located. Travelers are requested to show their QR code either on their mobile phone screen or in print. If travel departure begins prior to the day of arrival, travelers are allowed to board after showing the confirmation email (and not necessarily the QR code which is scheduled to arrive during their trip.)
• Depending on their QR code/confirmation, travelers are directed either to the screening area where they will be tested for the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 by a trained health team or to the exit (to baggage claim area or passport control).
• Upon completion of the test, travelers are directed towards the exit (to baggage claim area or passport control).
• The test results are expected to become available within 24 hours. During that time, passengers who are tested are advised to practise social distancing according to local guidelines and self monitoring for symptoms that could indicate COVID-19. In case of such symptoms, medical advice and/or contact with the National Public Health Organization (EODY) Operations Centre should be immediately sought. Only in case they test positive, the authorities will contact them and proceed with the health protocol in place. Otherwise, they may continue with their holidays, adhering to the general public health safety guidelines.
• If travelers plan to have multiple stop-overs in Greece, they must declare this and report their initial destination and their travel itinerary for the next 7 days.

All travelers must comply with all of the necessary preventive hygiene measures (use of masks and physical distancing) according to local guidance.

• Arrival of incoming travelers on foot at the main entry gate.
• Incoming travelers arriving in vehicles are directed to the special entry gate.
• Transfer to the area where the screening personnel are located. Travelers are requested to show their QR code either on their mobile phone screen or in print. If travel departure begins prior to the day of arrival, travelers are allowed to board after showing the confirmation email (and not necessarily the QR code which is scheduled to arrive during their trip.)
• Depending on their QR code/confirmation, travelers are directed either to the screening area where they will be tested for the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 by a trained health team or to the exit (to baggage claim area or passport control).
• Upon completion of the test, travelers are directed towards the exit (to baggage claim area or passport control).
• The test results are expected to become available within 24 hours. During that time, passengers who are tested are advised to practise social distancing according to local guidelines and self monitoring for symptoms that could indicate COVID-19. In case of such symptoms, medical advice and/or contact with the National Public Health Organization (EODY) Operations Centre should be immediately sought. Only in case they test positive, the authorities will contact them and proceed with the health protocol in place. Otherwise, they may continue with their holidays, adhering to the general public health safety guidelines.
• If travelers plan to have multiple stop-overs in Greece, they must declare this and report their initial destination and their travel itinerary for the next 7 days.

All travelers must comply with all of the necessary preventive hygiene measures (use of masks and physical distancing) according to local guidance.

• Arrival of persons at the checkpoint.
• Passport and customs control are carried out.
• Transfer to the area where screening personnel is located. Travelers are requested to show their QR code either on their mobile phone screen or in print.
• Screening personnel direct travelers, depending on their QR code, either to the screening area where they will be tested for the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 by a trained health team or to the exit. Upon completion of the screening, tested travelers are also directed towards the exit.
• The screening results are expected to become available within 24 hours. During that time, passengers who are tested are advised to practise social distancing according to local guidelines and self monitoring for symptoms that could indicate COVID-19. In case of such symptoms, medical advice and/or contact with the National Public Health Organization (EODY) Operations Centre should be immediately sought. Only in case they test positive, the authorities will contact them and proceed with the health protocol in place. Otherwise, they may continue with their holidays, adhering to the general public health safety guidelines.
• If travelers plan to have multiple stop-overs in Greece, they must declare this and report their initial destination and their travel itinerary for the next 7 days.
• As of Wednesday July 15th, 2020 at 00:01 (GMT+3), all travelers entering Greece for non-essential reasons through Promachonas border station, are obliged to present upon arrival a negative molecular test result (PCR) for COVID-19, performed up to 72 hours before their entry to Greece.
• Travelers should be laboratory tested with RT-PCR of oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal swab.
• Only travelers who carry a certificate of a negative RT-PCR test result will be allowed by the border authorities to enter the country. The certificates should be written in English and bear the name and passport/national ID number of the traveler.
• The Laboratories that perform the RT-PCR testing should be:
  1. National Reference laboratories
  2. National Public Health Laboratories or
  3. Private laboratories which are accredited from the respective national accreditation authorities (not necessarily specifically for COVID-19).
• Certificates that do not fulfill the above criteria will not be accepted. Certificate forgery is punished by Greek Law.
• Travelers will still have to complete and submit their PLF form and may be subject to random testing upon arrival to the Greek border.

All travelers must comply with all of the necessary preventive hygiene measures (use of masks and physical/social distancing) according to local guidance.

Greece is ready once again to welcome the world. Here is how:

Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, China*, UAE**.

*subject to confirmation of reciprocity.

** Permanent residents of the UAE may arrive only by direct flights in Greece from 1.8.2020 until the 31.8.2020. In order to enter the territory of Greece, permanent residents of UAE is necessary to present to the air border control authorities:

1. Proof of permanent residence in the UAE
2. Return tickets and hotel reservations.
3. Health Checks (PCR COVID-19 test 72h before departure)
4. Passenger Locator Form (PLF)
5. Travel insurance

Permanent residents of other countries are allowed to travel to Greece only for essential travel.

All visitors from air, land or sea, will be subject to random tests upon arrival. Upon being tested, travelers move to their final destination. In the event of a positive result, they will be contacted and placed on 14-day quarantine, with expenses covered by the Greek state.

Greece at any stage retains the right to modify any of the above in light of changing circumstances. A team within the Infectious Diseases Committee evaluates the epidemiological data on a regular basis and recommends changes to restrictions.

Q: Who will cover expenses in the event of a Covid-19 patient’s air transportation and hospitalization?
A: The Greek state will cover expenses related to hospitalization of visitors suffering from Covid-19 symptoms.