Greece COIVD-19 measures update today!
Traveling to Greece this summer? Here is all the information you need to know!
From 15 March 2022 onwards, travelers visiting Greece are no longer required to fill out the Passenger Locator Form (PLF).
However, a simplified PLF remains in operation, the completion of which is OPTIONAL, for the sole purpose of enabling the traveler/family to issue an EU Certificate of the negative or positive COVID-19 test result. The official portal of the Hellenic Republic to complete the simplified PLF is travel.gov.gr.
Travelers arriving in Greece, during the period from 18.04.2022 until 01.05.2022, holding a European Union Digital Covid Certificate (https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/coronavirus-response/safe-covid-19-vaccines-europeans/eu-digital-covid-certificate_en) are not obliged to show an extra negative COVID test result upon their arrival.
What you need to know beforehand
- If you have not yet been vaccinated, you must carry with you a negative PCR test, within 72 hours before travel, or a negative rapid test no older than 24 hours before you travel or a Certificate of illness lasting up to 180 days.
- If you have been vaccinated, you must have with you proof of full vaccination (i.e. vaccination certificate issued by your country), electronically or on paper, issued at least 14 days before your travel date.Α vaccination certificate is considered valid for 9 months after the completion of the basic vaccination and without a time limit for travelers who have received the booster dose.
- If you did get COVID you must carry a Certificate of recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection issued 14 days after the day of the first positive COVID-19 test (PCR or Rapid Antigen test) and valid for 180 days thereafter
- The above obligations are mandatory for all travelers entering the country, including children over 5 years old.
How you enter different areas
Museums and archaeological sites
At Museums and archaeological sites you will need to present one of the following documents and a photo ID (identification card or passport):
- Vaccination certificate. Α vaccination certificate is considered valid for 9 months after the completion of the basic vaccination and without a time limit for travelers who have received the booster dose.
- Medical certificate of a COVID19 infection valid up to 180 days
- The above requirement applies also to minors aged over 12 years old.
- Children from 5 to 11 years old must provide a parental/legal guardian declaration that the child has undertaken a self-test taken no longer than 24 hours.
Restaurants, cafes, bars
For indoor spaces you will need to present one of the following documents and a photo ID (identification card or passport):
- Vaccination certificate. Α vaccination certificate is considered valid for 9 months after the completion of the basic vaccination and without a time limit for travelers who have received the booster dose.
- Medical certificate of a COVID19 infection valid up to 180 days
- A negative PCR test, within 72 hours before travel, or a negative rapid test no older than 24 hours before you visit the shop
- Minors from 4 to 17 years old, that don’t have any of the above must provide a negative self-test taken less than 48 hrs before.
For outdoor spaces you don’t need to present any documentation
Shops, Malls, Department Stores
Shops accept a specific number of customers depending on their spatial capacity and to enter you will need to present one of the following documents and a photo ID (identification card or passport):
- Vaccination certificate. Α vaccination certificate is considered valid for 9 months after the completion of the basic vaccination and without a time limit for travelers who have received the booster dose.
- Medical certificate of a COVID19 infection valid up to 180 days
- A negative PCR test, within 72 hours before travel, or a negative rapid test no older than 24 hours before you visit the shop
- Minors from 4 to 17 years old, that don’t have any of the above must provide a negative self-test taken less than 48 hrs before.
Hair, nail, and beauty salons
They are open strictly with appointments, they accept a specific number of customers depending on their spatial capacity, and to enter you will need to present one of the following documents and a photo ID (identification card or passport):
- Vaccination certificate. Α vaccination certificate is considered valid for 9 months after the completion of the basic vaccination and without a time limit for travelers who have received the booster dose.
- Medical certificate of a COVID19 infection valid up to 180 days
- A negative PCR test, within 72 hours before travel, or a negative rapid test no older than 24 hours before you visit the shop
- Minors from 4 to 17 years old, that don’t have any of the above must provide a negative self-test taken less than 48 hrs before.
Gyms, day spas, and wellness centers
You will need to present one of the following documents and a photo ID (identification card or passport):
- Vaccination certificate. Α vaccination certificate is considered valid for 9 months after the completion of the basic vaccination and without a time limit for travelers who have received the booster dose.
- Medical certificate of a COVID19 infection valid up to 180 days
- A negative PCR test, within 72 hours before travel, or a negative rapid test no older than 24 hours before you visit the shop
- Minors from 4 to 17 years old, that don’t have any of the above must provide a negative self-test taken less than 48 hrs before.
Public Sector buildings, Banks
You have to present one of the following:
- Vaccination certificate. Α vaccination certificate is considered valid for 9 months after the completion of the basic vaccination and without a time limit for travelers who have received the booster dose.
- Medical certificate of a COVID19 infection valid up to 180 days
- A negative PCR test, within 72 hours before travel, or a negative rapid test no older than 24 hours before you visit the shop
- Minors from 4 to 17 years old, that don’t have any of the above must provide a negative self-test taken less than 48 hrs before.
Have fun, while staying safe
Always in accordance with the safety standards and guidelines issued by the World Health Organization, you still need to follow closely the following measures, in order to protect yourself and those around you:
- Avoid as much as possible very crowded places and try to keep the 1.5 meters rule.
- Use antiseptics or wash your hands frequently with soap.
- When you cough or sneeze cover your nose and mouth with a tissue.
- In case you or your company experience fever, shortness of breath, cough, or other Covid-19 related symptoms (i.e. loss of smell or taste), please dial the National Health Organization’ Covid-19 hotline at 1135 for immediate guidance.
Appointed hospitals in Athens (close to the city center) that you can refer a possible Covid-19 case
- Sotiria Hospital, 152 Mesogion Αve., Athens, T: +30 210 7763100
- Evangelismos General Hospital, 45-47 Ipsilandou Str., Athens, T: +30 213 2041000
- Attikon University Hospital, 1 Rimini Str., Chaidari, T: +30 210 5831000
Appointed hospitals in Thessaloniki that you can refer a possible Covid-19 case
- AHEPA University General Hospital, 1 Kyriakidi Str., T: +30 2313 303110
Appointed hospitals in the rest of Greece
- General University Hospital of Larissa, Mezourlo, Larissa, T: +30 241350 1000
- General University Hospital of Patra, 26504 Rio, Patra. T: +30 2613 603000
- General University Hospital of Heraklion, Voutes, Heraklion, Crete island. T: +30 2813 402111
Overall, in Greece, the authorities take all necessary safety measures, including the disinfection of public spaces, in order to keep everyone safe. We wish you a happy, and above all, healthy and worry-free summer!
Stay Aware & Take Care!
♦All information in this article is subject to change according to the protocols issued by the Hellenic Ministry of Health and the National Health Organization.
This article was updated on April 20, 2022
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