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Protocol for arrivals in Greece: information for tourists entering Greece

2020-07-01
 Last update: 8 February, 2021
 
 
Beginning July 1, 2020, the Greek government has determined how the country will welcome travelers, carry out the necessary diagnostic screening and keep everyone safe throughout the season.
 
The Passenger Locator Form (PLF) is a key element in the planning. All travelers must complete their PLF until the day before entering the country, providing detailed information on their point of departure, the duration of previous stays in other countries, and the address of their stay while in Greece. In case of multiple stays, they are required to provide the address for the first 24 hours at least. One PLF should be submitted per family.
 
Travelers will receive a confirmation email upon submission of the PLF.
 
Travelers will receive the PLF with their unique Quick Response (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).
 
Travelers boarding or embarking on the previous day of the arrival will be allowed to do so upon showing the confirmation email, since they will receive their QR code during their flight or voyage.
 
The PLF can also be found on the Visit Greece app and at travel.gov.gr. It is strongly recommended that all visitors download the Visit Greece app (GDPR compliant) for free, prior their arrival in Greece.
 
Please also be aware that ALL travelers entering Greece from January 7, 2021, to February 8, 2021 will be required to self-isolate (at their home or temporary residence, for example hotel) for seven (7) days upon their arrival.
 
Source of the information https://travel.gov.gr/#/ - we strongly advise you to visit this website before you travel to review the latest changes in the rules for entering Greece.
  
Urgent Notice
 
Announcement regarding arrivals from foreign countries to Greece.
 
As of November 11, 2020 all people traveling to Greece from foreign countries 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 includes air and land arrivals to Greece.
Further, people traveling to Greece should be aware that as of November 6, 2020 Greece is in lockdown. More information about eligible ways and means of transport and movement permits within Greece is available on forma.gov.gr.
 
This does also apply to Greek citizens, permanent residents of Greece and travelers for essential professional reasons.
 
Travellers should be laboratory 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 Laboratories that perform the RT-PCR testing should be:
- National Reference laboratories
- National Public Health Laboratories or
- 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. Certificate forgery is punished by Greek Law.
Children under 10 years old are not subject to the obligation to a PCR test.
 
All travellers will still have to complete and submit their PLF form and may be subject to random testing upon arrival to the Greek border.
 
As of November 10, 2020 permanent residents of Greece who travel by land or air to foreign countries are required to fill in the electronic form PLF (Passenger Locator Form) with their contact details in Greece before their departure from the country and to show at the border checkpoint the proof of completion of the electronic PLF form that is automatically sent by e-mail to each traveller electronically.
 
Protocol for air arrivals
 
Arrival at the entry gate.
 
Transfer to the area where the screening personnel are located. Travellers are requested to show their QR code either on their mobile phone screen or in print. If travel departure begins prior to the day of arrival, travellers are allowed to board after showing the confirmation email (and not necessarily the QR code which is scheduled to arrive during their trip.)
 
Depending on their QR code/confirmation, travellers are directed either to the screening area where they will be tested for the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 by a trained health team or to the exit (to baggage claim area or passport control).
 
Upon completion of the test, travellers are directed towards the exit (to baggage claim area or passport control).
 
The test results are expected to become available within 24 hours. In case of COVID-19 symptoms, medical advice and/or contact with the National Public Health Organization (EODY) Operations Centre should be immediately sought. Only in case they test positive, the authorities will contact them and proceed with the health protocol in place. Otherwise and after the 7-days self-isolation, they may continue with their holidays, adhering to the general public health safety guidelines.
 
If travellers plan to have multiple stop-overs in Greece, they must declare this and report their initial destination and their travel itinerary for the next 7 days.
 
All travellers must comply with all of the necessary preventive hygiene measures (use of masks and physical distancing) according to local guidance.
 
Protocol for sea arrivals
 
Arrival of incoming travellers on foot at the main entry gate.
 
Incoming travellers arriving in vehicles are directed to the special entry gate.
 
Transfer to the area where the screening personnel are located. Travellers are requested to show their QR code either on their mobile phone screen or in print. If travel departure begins prior to the day of arrival, travellers are allowed to board after showing the confirmation email (and not necessarily the QR code which is scheduled to arrive during their trip.)
 
Depending on their QR code/confirmation, travellers are directed either to the screening area where they will be tested for the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 by a trained health team or to the exit (to baggage claim area or passport control).
 
Upon completion of the test, travellers are directed towards the exit (to baggage claim area or passport control).
 
The test results are expected to become available within 24 hours. In case of COVID-19 symptoms, medical advice and/or contact with the National Public Health Organization (EODY) Operations Centre should be immediately sought. Only in case they test positive, the authorities will contact them and proceed with the health protocol in place. Otherwise and after the 7-days self-isolation, they may continue with their holidays, adhering to the general public health safety guidelines.
 
If travellers plan to have multiple stop-overs in Greece, they must declare this and report their initial destination and their travel itinerary for the next 7 days.
 
All travellers must comply with all of the necessary preventive hygiene measures (use of masks and physical distancing) according to local guidance.
 
Protocol for arrivals at land borders
 
Arrival of persons at the checkpoint.
 
Passport and customs control are carried out.
 
Transfer to the area where screening personnel is located. Travellers are requested to show their QR code either on their mobile phone screen or in print.
 
Screening personnel direct travellers, depending on their QR code, either to the screening area where they will be tested for the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 by a trained health team or to the exit. Upon completion of the screening, tested travellers are also directed towards the exit.
 
The screening results are expected to become available within 24 hours. In case of COVID-19 symptoms, medical advice and/or contact with the National Public Health Organization (EODY) Operations Centre should be immediately sought. Only in case they test positive, the authorities will contact them and proceed with the health protocol in place. Otherwise and after the 7-days self-isolation, they may continue with their holidays, adhering to the general public health safety guidelines.
 
If travellers plan to have multiple stop-overs in Greece, they must declare this and report their initial destination and their travel itinerary for the next 7 days.
 
All travellers entering Greece through any land 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.
 
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 Laboratories that perform the RT-PCR testing should be:
- National Reference laboratories
- National Public Health Laboratories or
- 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. Certificate forgery is punished by Greek Law.
 
Travellers will still have to complete and submit their PLF form and may be subject to random testing upon arrival to the Greek border.
 
All travellers must comply with all of the necessary preventive hygiene measures (use of masks and physical/social distancing) according to local guidance.
 
Frequently Asked Questions - Travel Q&A
 
Residents from EU+ countries are allowed to travel to Greece. EU+ consists of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Lichtenstein and Iceland.
 
Residents of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, UAE and United Kingdom are also allowed to travel to Greece.
 
Permanent residents of other countries are allowed to travel to Greece only for essential travel.
 
As of November 11, 2020 all people traveling to Greece from foreign countries will be required to have a negative molecular test result (PCR) for COVID-19, performed up to 72 hours before their entry to Greece. As of November 10, 2020 permanent residents of Greece who travel by air to foreign countries are required to fill in the electronic form PLF (Passenger Locator Form) with their contact details in Greece before their departure from Greece and to show at the border checkpoint the proof of completion of the electronic PLF form that is automatically sent by e-mail to each traveller electronically.
 
Air borders
 
Temporary restriction of flight connections with Turkey and Catalonia of Spain are imposed.
 
Negative COVID -19 PCR test at least 72 hours prior to the travel is necessary for all passengers arriving by air from foreign countries. Greek citizens and holders of permanent residence in Greece and other essential travellers are not exempted from this obligation. As of November 10, 2020 permanent residents of Greece who travel by air to foreign countries are required to fill in the electronic form PLF (Passenger Locator Form) with their contact details in Greece before their departure from Greece and to show at the border checkpoint the proof of completion of the electronic PLF form that is automatically sent by e-mail to each traveller electronically.
 
Sea Borders
 
As of November 9, 2020 arrivals by sea by private yachts, cruise ships, ferry ships and any other professional tourist ships, regardless of flag or destination abroad, as well as the disembarkation of passengers from these boats in any way is prohibited.
 
There is no sea from/to connection with Turkey and Albania (with exemption of cargo ships).
Land Borders
 
Due to the epidemiological situation in the Balkans and Turkey all the external land Greek borders are open only to “essential travellers” apart from Promachonas BCP in Bulgaria, which is also open to travellers mentioned in the list of countries above.
 
“Essential travellers” at the land borders: Greek citizens, permanent residents of Greece, transport workers and travelers for essential professional reasons can enter from BCPs Kakavia, Evzoni, Kipi (daily open only 07.00am-11.00am). As of Monday, August 17th at 00.01 (GMT+3) all those entering from BCPs Kakavia Evzoni and Kipi should have the PLF and QR code and additionally hold a negative COVID-19 PCR test 72h prior their arrival.
 
Those entering from Kakavia BCP should additionally self-isolate for 7 days upon their arrival in Greece. There is a daily limit of 750 entries per day in Kakavia.
 
In the case of Greece-Albania borders this also applies to Albanians citizens of Greek origin (Homogeny).
 
Employees of international land transport services, regardless of nationality, must, after entering Greece, without undue delay, either transit or head to their destination and then self-isolate for seven (7) days.
 
There is an exception for members of international or European organizations, regardless of nationality, who enter in order to work in Greece or transit through Greece, should they prove their function with appropriate documentation.
 
In the case of Greece-North Macedonia borders, there is an additional exception for EULEX staff and their family members that it is allowed to enter for medical reasons in Greek territory (BCP Evzoni).
 
All visitors from air, land or sea, will be subject to random tests upon arrival. Upon being tested, travellers 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.
 
Greece at any stage retains the right to modify any of the above in light of changing circumstances. A team within the Infectious
 
Diseases Committee evaluates the epidemiological data on a regular basis and recommends changes to restrictions.
 
Q: Who will cover expenses in the event of a Covid-19 patient`s air transportation and hospitalization?
A: The Greek state will cover expenses related to hospitalization of visitors suffering from Covid-19 symptoms.
 
Q: What happens if an infection is confirmed at a hotel?
A: In the event of a confirmed infection, close contacts of the case will be transferred to a separate quarantine accommodation at the expense of the Greek state. Remaining guests will continue their holidays.
 
Q: If someone misses their return flight because of illness or symptoms or misses prepaid accommodation is there a refund policy or other framework that could cover expenses?
A: Greece will cover transfer to hospital and medical costs as well as stay in quarantine hotel if needed. We urge airlines travel agents and hotels to offer maximum flexibility during this time of customer and regulatory uncertainty.
 
Q: Health Protocols of Hotels. How is protocol compliance ensured? With whom should tourists communicate in case protocols are not followed?
A: The Ministry of Tourism has a plan of audits and we encourage all enterprises to seek third party accreditation. We have also set up a training and information website for employees and owners in order to ensure that the knowledge of the protocols is disseminated in a timely and responsible manner. Finally, we have established steep fines for those neglecting their duties. In case of complaints, visitors can call the four-digit number 1572 of the Ministry Tourism.

Last update: 8 February, 2021
 
Source of the information: https://travel.gov.gr/#/
 
  
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