Editor’s Note — Coronavirus cases are in flux across the globe. Health officials caution that staying home is the best way to stem transmission until you’re fully vaccinated. Below is information on what to know if you still plan to travel, last updated on March 1.
The basics
What’s on offer
Ancient monuments, myriad islands, spectacular beaches and vast mountains. Greece attracts millions of visitors each year looking for a sunny seaside escape, or a history-focused trip exploring its long and storied past.
Its popular resorts are perfect for partying during the summer, but there’s plenty of space to get away from the crowds, and outside of summer season you’ll often find yourself the only tourist around.
Who can go
Mostly everyone, although non-vaccinated visitors will have to quarantine.
Greece has announced it’s opening its tourist season earlier for 2022, kicking it off on March 1 instead of the usual mid-April. The move, which the country’s tourism minister has said is in response to demand, is likely an effort to attract more international visitors to compensate for the past two years of depressed arrival numbers.
This opening of doors comes after Greece has eased restrictions, extending its welcome to fully vaccinated arrivals from Australia, America and Canada in addition to the UK and other non-EU countries that have joined the EU Digital Covid Certificate system.
What are the restrictions?
Greece eased restrictions in early February 2022, exempting some travelers able to prove vaccination from testing requirements. All travelers holding a European Union Digital Covid Certificate can now enter without the requirement of showing a negative test. Additionally, travelers of 33 non-EU countries or territories that have signed up to or been recognized by the EU certification will also be permitted to enter under the same rule.
These include: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Canada, Cape Verde, El Salvador, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Israel, Iceland, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Togo, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, The Vatican.
The certification must show either proof of full vaccination completed more than 14 days before arrival, proof of recent Covid recovery, or proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival, or rapid antigen test taken no more than 24 hours prior.
Travelers from all other countries, including children over the age of 5, must show proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival or a rapid antigen test taken in the previous 24 hours.
Travelers may be required to take a Covid test on arrival into Greece. Anyone testing positive will be required to self-isolate in a designated hotel. In some cases they may be permitted to isolate in their own booked accommodation.
What’s the Covid situation?
Infection rates are still riding high, but have retreated from their early January peak as the Omicron variant took hold. Nevertheless, the US CDC has placed Greece on its highest risk list and advises citizens not to travel there.
Greece has seen 2,421,664 Covid cases and a total of 25,860 deaths as of March 1. Full vaccinations currently stand at close to 7.5 million — or nearly 70% of the population.
What can visitors expect?
Most places in Greece are now open, but only those with proof of vaccination are permitted in most indoor spaces, including museums, theaters, cinemas and sports venues. The rules already apply to cafes, bars and restaurants. The US CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card Is accepted as proof of vaccination.
In an effort to tackle the Omicron variant surge, rules requiring bars and restaurants to close by midnight will likely remain in place until the end of January. Tables will be limited to six seated customers. Standing customers will not be allowed at entertainment venues.
The government has made mask wearing mandatory in all indoor and outdoor public spaces. Masks must be either double surgical or N95.
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Joe Minihane, Julia Buckley, Elinda Labropoulou and Barry Neild contributed to this report
