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Beginning December 19, all travelers to Greece ages 5 and up must present a negative Covid test for entry. The test must either be a PCR test taken no later than 72 hours of arrival or a rapid antigen test from 24 hours of arrival to Greece.
This testing requirement is regardless of vaccination status, and applies to travelers from the U.S., Canada, the UK and other third country destinations permitted to travel to the Greek Republic for leisure travel purposes.
Last week, officials in Greece announced the updated travel rules for all foreign arrivals to the country. According to the guidance on Greece’s Ministry of Health website, “travelers to Greece will be required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours or a laboratory rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours of arrival to Greece.”
The travel update doesn’t specify whether the test should be presented at departure or upon arrival to Greece, but it does apply to travelers entering by air, land, or sea. According to the latest information on the Schengen Visa Info website, the updated entry requirements are set to be enforced until at least January 10, 2022.
When Greece reopened to travelers back in May of this year, international visitors had to show either a negative Covid test, proof of recovery, or proof of full vaccination in order to be permitted entry.
Local Restrictions Remain Tight For Unvaccinated
Local restrictions were then tightened for unvaccinated travelers and residents in September, and those in question had to provide a negative Covid test result in order to access a number of non-essential services such as cinemas, theaters, museums, and gyms.
In addition, officials announced that all public and private sector workers who were not fully vaccinated would have to take one Covid rapid test weekly at their own expense. Those working in schools, hospitality, tourism, as well as university students would have to undergo twice weekly testing at their own expense. These local measures are currently in place until March 13, 2022.
Complete Travel Restrictions For Greece
On top of the new testing requirements, travelers must complete Greece’s official Passenger Locator Form (PLF) prior to departure. Information will need to be provided, such as listing any other countries visited before your trip and the length of stay, as well as your address while in Greece. Only one PLF needs to be filled out per family traveling together.
All vaccinated travelers to Greece should show their vaccination cards issued by a certified health authority. CDC cards are currently accepted.
Visitors to Greece can also provide proof of recovery from Covid. The certificate must be issued 30 days after the first positive test result and is valid for 90 days.
Please note that travelers may be tested at random upon arrival in Greece. Any positive tests will be subject to quarantine (10 days for non-vaccinated travelers, 7 days for vaccinated travelers). According to the official government website, quarantine will be in a designated hotel and paid for by the government.
According to the latest CDC guidance, Greece is currently at a Level 4 warning, which means that all travelers should be fully vaccinated before travel to Greece.
Proof Of Recovery Changed From 180 Days To 90 Days
Greece has also recently updated its standards for recovered persons. In order to access a number of services throughout the country, travelers can show that they’ve recovered from Covid over the last 90 days in lieu of proof of vaccination.
This was pushed back from the original 180 days of recovery, which is currently the norm in a number of countries. If there’s no proof of recovery, all international arrivals (and domestic) will have to show proof of full vaccination in order to enter.
Direct Flights To Greece
Eligible visitors are encouraged to travel to Greece via direct flight whenever possible. You can see our article for more information on direct flights available to Greece from the U.S.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Konstantinos
Wednesday 22nd of December 2021
DO not travel to Greece now bad idea wait until may.TOURIST SEASON STARTS THE VIRUS GOES AWAY.Do not I mean do not end up in quarantine hotel.provided.by the state the food is disgusting.not allowed to order from outside delivery.usualy as common in greece these hotels asighned on a kick back basis I experienced first hand.
Christian
Tuesday 21st of December 2021
Makes a lot of sense to require PCR test from the vaccinated, since they are the ones affected by Omicron. I can see a future where the unvaccinated wouldn’t need any PCR test anymore.
Christian
Wednesday 22nd of December 2021
@covidvaxinfo, just ask them proof of vaccination to get a free Dunkin Donut. If they can’t, then they are unvaccinated and can enter the country without PCR test.
covidvaxinfo
Wednesday 22nd of December 2021
@Christian,true...but laughing at your latter statement. How would one verify that they haven't been vaccinated?