15/12/2021
We wish to inform you of the updated information regarding the conditions that apply for entry into Greece in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19 (Government Gazette 5714/09.12.2021).
Entrance to Greece is allowed to:
- Citizens of the European Union (EU) and members of their family
- Citizens of Schengen countries and members of their family
- Permanent residents of the following countries: San Marino, Azerbaijan, Albania, Andorra, Argentina,
Armenia, Australia, Vatican, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, United Arab Emirates,
United States of America, United Kingdom, Japan, India, Jordan, Israel, Canada, Qatar, China,
Chinese Taipei, Kosovo, Kuwait, Belarus, Mexico, Lebanon, Montenegro, Moldova, Monaco, Bahrain,
Brunei, New Zealand, South Korea, Ukraine, Uruguay, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Serbia,
Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Turkey and Chile.
- Healthcare professionals, nursing staff and health researchers
- Long-term residents of EU Member States or the Schengen Agreement and third-country nationals
holding a residence permit in EU or Schengen Member States, including third-country nationals
holding valid residence permits (residence permits, residence cards, permanent residence cards)
issued in application of Greek and European legislation
- Politicians, diplomats, military personnel, etc.
- Personnel employed in the transport sector
- Transit passengers
- Holders of a Special Expatriate Identity Card
- Students
- Caregivers of the elderly and disabled
- Seasonal workers in the fields of agriculture and fishing, who can enter the country once during the
period provided by their work permit.
All persons mentioned above should prove their status with the appropriate documents.
All travellers to Greece, regardless of nationality and way of entering the country, should fill in and submit the electronic PLF (Passenger Locator Form) available at https://travel.gov.gr, with their contact details in Greece before their arrival in the country. The proof of submission of the PLF, which is automatically sent by e-mail to the passenger, is considered a necessary travel document. A valid PLF form, with a QR code, is considered necessary for the entrance to each entrance gate of the Country.
All travellers to Greece, regardless of nationality and way of entering the country, must meet one of the following entry requirements:
- Have completed the vaccination for COVID-19 at least fourteen (14) days before arrival to Greece and present a vaccination certificate in Greek, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or
Russian, issued by a public authority and in accordance with the relevant legislation. The vaccination certificate must include the name of the passenger as indicated on the passport, the type of vaccine administered, the number of doses and the date(s) of vaccination, or
- Have a negative molecular test (PCR) for COVID-19 by taking an oral or nasopharyngeal smear or a negative result of rapid antigen test for COVID-19 a) performed within the last seventy two (72) hours before arrival in Greece for the PCR test and within forty eight (48) hours before arrival in Greece for the rapid test, b) by reference laboratories of the country of origin or transit or public or private laboratories of that country, provided that these private laboratories are certified by the competent national certification authority of the country and c) have a certificate of the above diagnosis, in Greek, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian language, including the name of the passenger as indicated on the passport, or
- Carry a certificate of illness after a molecular test (PCR) or after a rapid coronavirus antigen detection test for COVID-19 (rapid test). The disease certificate is issued thirty (30) days after the first positive test and its validity lasts up to ninety (90) days after that, subject to the following paragraph. Specifically the disease certificates issued from 15.7.2021 until 31.10.2021 remain in force during the validity of this Joint Ministerial Decision. The first positive test is carried out by a) a public authority in accordance with the relevant legislation or b) reference laboratories of the country of origin or transit or public or private laboratories of that country, provided that these private laboratories are certified by
the competent national certification authority of the country. The certificate of illness is in Greek, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian and includes the name of the traveller as it
appears on the passport, or
- Carry, in digital or printed form, a COVID-19 Digital Certificate issued in accordance with EU requirements containing information on vaccination or the result of the last rapid antigen detection test
(rapid test) or laboratory PCR test for coronavirus COVID-19, or of coronavirus COVID-19 illness, as appropriate, in compliance with the above intervals.
Especially the permanent residents of the Russian Federation enter Greece under the following conditions: a) have been negatively tested in a laboratory by the method of PCR or by using rapid
coronavirus antigen detection test (rapid test) for COVID-19 and b) have an obligatory molecular (PCR) test or rapid coronavirus antigen detection test (rapid test) at the points of entry in the country.
Especially permanent residents of the states: Argentina, India, Mexico, Uruguay, Sultanate of Oman and Chile enter the country, if their entry is allowed, with the additional condition that they are
diagnosed negative in a mandatory PCR test or rapid coronavirus antigen detection test (rapid test), at the points of entry in the country.
All travellers to Greece, regardless of nationality and way of entering the country, coming from Egypt, Albania, Argentina, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Brazil, Georgia, Republic of Cuba, United Arab
Emirates, India, China, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, the Russian Federation and Turkey, enter the country, if their entry is allowed, with the additional condition of being diagnosed negative in a
mandatory laboratory test either by PCR method or by using the rapid detection of coronavirus antigen COVID-19 (rapid test), at the points of entry of the country. Those who have a vaccination
certificate or a disease certificate from COVID-19 are excluded from the above mandatory test.
Especially travelers to Greece, regardless of nationality and way of entering the country, coming from the countries: South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, Zambia and Malawi enter the country, if allowed to enter, with these additional conditions: a) have been diagnosed negative by laboratory test by PCR method for coronavirus COVID-19, which has been performed by taking an oral-pharyngeal or nasopharyngeal smear within the last seventy two (72)
hours before their arrival in Greece, b) to diagnose negative in laboratory tests either by PCR or by the use of rapid coronavirus antigen detection COVID-19 (rapid test) at the points of entry of the country, c) be subject to temporary restriction only in quarantine hotels designated by the competent authorities, for ten (10) days from their entry into the Greek Territory. The restriction of case c) ends with a negative PCR test, on the tenth day of the temporary restriction. The above obligations concern minors from twelve (12) years old and over.
During check-in at Italian ports, passengers should display both the submission of the PLF form and the possession of one of the above certificates that are mandatory for their boarding.
All travellers to Greece, regardless of nationality and way of entering the country, are subject upon arrival to sampling (or mandatory in the cases mentioned above) laboratory PCR or rapid coronary antigen detection tests COVID-19 (rapid tests) based on a health algorithm. The tests are carried out by officers of the General
Secretariat for Civil Protection and the National Public Health Organization, which are in charge of carrying out medical examinations. Passengers subjected to the sampling (or mandatory) tests shall remain at place of arrival until the test result is issued and in the event of their detection as positive for COVID-19, they are subject to temporary restriction, at home or at a suitable place of temporary residence indicated by the competent authorities, for ten (10) days or seven (7) days for those who have completed the vaccination for COVID-19 at least fourteen (14) days before arrival to Greece. On the last day of their temporary restriction, they are subjected to mandatory laboratory testing by PCR method.
Beginning July 1, 2020, the Greek government has determined how the country will welcome travellers, carry out the necessary diagnostic screening and keep everyone safe throughout the season.