Source: European Union/Re-open EU
17.09.2020
Land border arrivals from Bulgaria are allowed through Promachonas border station. Entry from other border stations with Bulgaria are allowed for essential travel only. With regards to Albania, North Macedonia and Turkey, entry is allowed for essential travel only.
Before entering the country, all travellers must complete their Passenger Locator Form.
All travellers entering Greece through Promachonas border station, including Greek citizens, permanent residents of Greece and travellers for essential professional reasons, are obliged to present, upon arrival, a negative molecular test result (RT-PCR) for COVID-19, performed up to 72 hours before their entry to Greece. Travellers should be laboratory tested with RT-PCR of oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal swab.
For the land border crossings of Kakavia, Krystallopigi, Evzoni, Nymfaia, Ormeni and Kipi, if the conditions are met, the crossing is possible only between 07:00-23:00. Only essential arrivals are permitted. Moreover, land border from Kakavia now limits essential arrivals to 750 persons/day and Krystallopigi limits essential arrivals to 300 persons/day.
Protocols for arrivals at land borders in Greece
For latest information also check travel.gov.gr
Driving abroad
Travelling to Greece
Entry from EU countries and from Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein, as well as Andorra, Monaco, Vatican City State and Republic of San Marino, is allowed without restrictions, with the exception of Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Malta, Romania, and Spain (details under "Rules and Exceptions").
Third-country nationals:
Travellers from Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay and China (subject to confirmation of reciprocity) are allowed to enter Greece without restrictions. Furthermore, as far as visitors from Russia are concerned, upon arrival they have to perform a negative rt-PCR test certificate in English and the hotel reservation, or any other proved address of their temporary stay in Greece.
Permanent residents of other third countries are allowed to travel to Greece only for essential reasons (not for tourism).
Before entering the country, all travellers must complete a Passenger Locator Form
Protocols for air arrivals in Greece
For latest information also check travel.gov.gr/#
Travelling from Greece or returning to Greece
No specific measures.
Rules and Exceptions
Arrivals by airplane : Passengers of flights from Bulgaria, Romania, U.A.E., Malta, Belgium, Hungary, Spain, Albania and the Republic of North Macedonia 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 travellers for essential professional reasons. Travellers should be tested with RT-PCR of oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal swab.
Only travellers 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 traveller.
The accepted laboratories that perform the RT-PCR testing can be:
- National Reference laboratories
- National Public Health Laboratories
- 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.
Children under 10 years old are not subject to the obligation to a PCR test.
The same requirement will apply to all visitors entering Greece via its land borders. This applies to ALL travellers including Greek citizens, permanent residents of Greece and travellers for essential professional reasons.
In addition to this, all visitors arriving by air, land or sea transport will be subject to random tests upon arrival. After being tested, travellers will be allowed to 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.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
Before entering the country, all travellers must complete a Passenger Locator Form
Find out more:
Travel.gov.gr
Air passenger rights.
Updated info on air travel regulations may be found at the IATA website
Arrivals by sea by ferry ships are allowed only in Patras, Corfu and Igoumenitsa ports, while arrivals of cruise ships in Greece are allowed until 15/09/2020, provided that they come from countries for which no special restrictive measures apply.
Before entering the country, all travellers must complete their Passenger Locator Form
A confirmation email will be sent upon its submission. An electronic or hard copy of the PLF confirmation should be presented to the designated crew members before embarkation onboard a ship at any Italian port. Travellers will also receive the PLF with a QR code on the day of their scheduled arrival in Greece (at midnight) and will be notified via email (the QR code will be provided in a link in the confirmation email).
No such restriction applies on yachting.
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.
Protocols for sea arrivals in Greece
For latest information also check travel.gov.gr/#
Ship passenger rights
14.08.2020
Land border arrivals from Bulgaria are allowed through Promachonas border station. Entry from other border stations with Bulgaria are allowed for essential travel only. With regards to Albania, North Macedonia and Turkey, entry is allowed for essential travel only.
Before entering the country, all travellers must complete their Passenger Locator Form
As of 15/07/2020 at 06:00 am (GMT+3), all travellers 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. Travellers should be laboratory tested with RT-PCR of oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal swab.
Protocols for arrivals at land borders in Greece
For latest information also check travel.gov.gr/#
Driving abroad
Arrivals by sea by ferry ships are allowed only in Patras, Corfu and Igoumenitsa ports.
Before entering the country, all travellers must complete their Passenger Locator Form
A confirmation email will be sent upon its submission. An electronic or hard copy of the PLF confirmation should be presented to the designated crew members before embarkation onboard a ship at any Italian port. Travellers will also receive the PLF with a QR code on the day of their scheduled arrival in Greece (at midnight) and will be notified via email (the QR code will be provided in a link in the confirmation email).
No such restriction applies on yachting.
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.
Protocols for sea arrivals in Greece
For latest information also check travel.gov.gr/#
Ship passenger rights
Arrivals by airplane :
Travelling from EU countries is allowed without restrictions, with the exception of Bulgaria, Romania and Malta.
Travelling to and from Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein, as well as Andorra, Monaco, Vatican City State and Republic of San Marino, is allowed without restrictions.
From 17 August, it has been announced that visitors arriving from Sweden, Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic will need to provide a negative test for COVID-19 to gain entry. The required test cannot be older than 72 hours prior to entry. The same requirement will apply to all visitors entering Greece via its land borders, including Greek citizens returning home.
Travelling from Greece or returning to Greece
It has been announced that, from 17 August, all visitors entering Greece via its land borders, including Greek citizens returning home, will need to provide a negative test for COVID-19 to gain entry. The required test cannot be older than 72 hours prior to entry.
Rules and Exceptions
Travellers entering Greece for non-essential reasons through the Promachonas border station are obliged to present, upon arrival, a negative test result (PCR) for COVID-19, performed up to 72 hours before their entry to Greece (RT-PCR of oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal swab test).
Travellers from Bulgaria, Romania and Malta (from 17 August also from Sweden, Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic), will be required to have a negative molecular test result (PCR) for COVID-19, performed up to 72 hours prior to their entry to Greece. This does not apply to Greek citizens, permanent residents of Greece and travellers for essential professional reasons. Travellers should be tested with RT-PCR of oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal swab. The certificates should be written in English and bear the name and passport/national ID number of the traveller.
All visitors arriving by air, land or sea transport will be subject to random tests upon arrival. After being tested, travellers will be allowed to 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.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
Before entering the country, all travellers must complete a Passenger Locator Form
Links to relevant national sources
Travel.gov.gr
Protocols for air arrivals in Greece
Protocols for sea arrivals in Greece
Protocols for arrivals at land borders in Greece
Air passenger rights.
Updated info on air travel regulations may be found at the IATA website
Source: European Commission
15.08.2020
Temporary entry ban to third-country nationals
Greece has prolonged until 31-08-2020 the temporary entry ban to all third-country nationals from any point of entry into the country, by any means of transport, extended on all sea, rail and road connections. The above restriction does not apply to nationals of member states of the EU as well as nationals of countries of the Schengen agreement including their spouses or couples in civil partnership and their minor children.
From the scope of this restriction are excluded citizens of the following countries:
Algeria, Australia, Georgia, Canada, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, People’s Republic of China, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay and United Arab Emirates. Citizens of the abovementioned countries can be subject to sample laboratory checks.
In order to prove their place of residence, citizens of third countries may supply a residence permit, or a work permit, or their ID provided that it shows their place of residence, or a driving licence or other documents.
From the temporary entry ban to all third- country nationals from any point of entry into the country, by any means of transport are excluded:
- a) medical and nursing staff, researchers and health professionals provided that they show at the points of entry in the country a certificate of professional competence or other documents that document their professional capacity and provided that their entry in the country is related with the exercise of their professional duties
- b) long term residents in member states of the EU and in member states of the Schengen agreement holding a residence permit in EU or Schengen agreement member states
- c)members of government missions
- d)members of diplomatic missions and consulates, members of international and European organizations, members of humanitarian organizations, military staff.
- e) staff employed in the transport sector including naval staff, aircraft crews, crews and technical staff of leased aerial fire-fight transport modes, lorry drivers with the absolutely necessary staff for carriage of goods
- f) passengers in transit
- g) students
- h)people caring for older or disabled people and i) seasonal workers in the agricultural sector.
The abovementioned a)-f) should prove their identity with the appropriate documentation and shall be subject to sample tests. Citizens of third countries that are included in this entry ban have the right to make a request to the diplomatic authorities of their place of residence or stay for their by exception entrance in Greece for professional or personal reasons.
Start date: 15.08.2020
End date: 31.08.2020
More info: https://eody.gov.gr/neos-koronaios-covid-19/
Source : https://ec.europa.eu/transport/coronavirus-response_en
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
15.07.2020
Temporary restrictions with Bulgaria
Greece extends the already imposed restrictions on all rail and road connections from Bulgaria and a ban on entry to all passengers from Bulgaria with the exception of border crossing point of Promachonas. The ban of entry does not include Greek citizens and holders of residence documents and the entrance of persons for absolutely necessary business trips verified by the appropriate documentation. The transit of lorries for carriage of goods is allowed.
The persons entering -and not belonging to the abovementioned excluded categories- must have undergone a laboratory check (PCR method) for CoVID-19 and will have to be negative to it.
The test has to be done the last 72 hours before their arrival to Greece, in a reference laboratory of the country of origin or transit, or in a public or a private laboratory which has to be certified from the competent certification authority of the country. Similarly, they must have an attestation of the above diagnosis, in English, which will include their name and passport or ID number.
Start date: 15.07.2020
End date: 29.07.2020
More info: https://eody.gov.gr/neos-koronaios-covid-19/
Source : https://ec.europa.eu/transport/coronavirus-response_en
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
01.07.2020
Temporary entry ban to third-country nationals
Greece has issued a temporary entry ban to all third- country nationals from any point of entry into the country, by any means of transport, extended on all sea, rail and road connections. The above restriction does not apply to nationals of member states of the EU as well as nationals of countries of the Schengen agreement including their spouses or couples in civil partnership and their minor children. From the scope of this restriction are excluded citizens of the following countries: Algeria, Australia, Georgia, Canada, Japan, Democracy of Serbia, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zeeland, Rwanda, South Korea, People’s Republic of China, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay. Citizens of the abovementioned countries are exempted from the sample laboratory checks. In order to prove their place of residence, citizens of third countries may supply a residence permit, or a work permit, or their ID provided that it shows their place of residence, or a driving licence or other documents. From the temporary entry ban to all third- country nationals from any point of entry into the country, by any means of transport are excluded:
- a) medical and nursing staff, researchers and health professionals provided that they show at the points of entry in the country a certificate of professional competence or other documents that document their professional capacity and provided that their entry in the country is related with the exercise of their professional duties
- b) long term residents in member states of the EU and in member states of the Schengen agreement holding a residence permit in EU or Schengen agreement member states
- c)members of government missions
- d)members of diplomatic missions and consulates, members of international and European organizations, members of humanitarian organizations, military staf
- e) staff employed in the transport sector including naval staff, aircraft crews, crews and technical staff of leased aerial fire-fight transport modes, lorry drivers in transit, with the absolutely necessary staff for carriage of goods
f) passengers in transit
- g) students
- h)people caring for older or disabled people
- i) seasonal workers in the agricultural sector.
Start date: 01.07.2020
End date: 15.07.2020
Further information: https://travel.gov.gr
Source: https://ec.europa.eu/transport/coronavirus-response_en
Source: WCO/Directorate General of Customs and Excise, Independent Authority for Public Revenue (IAPR)
20.03.2020
COVID19 MEASURES
24.1.2020
The Regional Customs Authorities were given guidance so as to instruct the
Customs Offices in their Region, to acquire masks and gloves.
24.2.2020
The Regional Customs Authorities were given guidance so as to
communicate the hyper link of the Ministry of Health, with the protective
measures to be observed by all staff in the Customs Offices.
28.2.2020
The Directorate General of Customs & Excise requested the allocation of
funds for the disinfection of passenger control areas within the Customs
Offices, as well as for the provision of special protective suits, masks, eye
glasses and boots.
5.3.2020
The Regional Customs Authorities were given guidance so as to instruct the
Customs Offices in their Region, to take the necessary steps for the
procurement of disinfection services and the coordination of their actions with
other Agencies operating on the Border, in Ports and Airports.
9.3.2020
Survey on the implementation of the disinfection measures, the stocks of
protective material available and communication of further instructions
(Circular Order of the Governor of the Independent Authority for Public
Revenue/IAPR).
9.3.2020
A Crisis Management Group for Customs was established under the Director
General of Customs & Excise.
14.3.2020
Customs Offices were instructed to have their staff working in alternate shifts
(following a Decision of the Governor of the IAPR) in order to prevent
spreading of the infection and safeguarding the operation of the Customs
Offices in case of an incident during a shift.
16.3.2020
Survey: import data on essential supplies and medicines from all Customs
Offices.
16.3.2020
The Regional Customs Authorities were given guidance so as to instruct the
Customs Offices in their Region, to observe the guidelines issued by the
General Secretariat for Civil Protection on avoiding standing queues in
Customs premises (for example by customs brokers) and have those
Guidelines pinned up on the entrance doors of the Customs Offices.
Further information: http://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/....
Advice to travellers (10.03.2020)
The risk for travellers is considered high. It is recommended that travellers avoid nonessential travel to areas with local transmission of COVID-19: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situatio....
Start date: 10.03.2020
End date: not available
Further information: https://eody.gov.gr/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-travellers/
Temporary and limited relaxation of the enforcement of driving and rest times
The Hellenic Republic has notified a temporary relaxation of the enforcement of driving and rest times for all national and international freight transport on Greek territory with public and private use trucks of any nationality. This relaxation is granted pursuant to Article 14(2) of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006.
Start date: 19.03.2020
End date: 17.04.2020
Further information: https://ec.europa.eu/transport/sites/transport/files/temporary-relaxatio...