The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) on Sunday released an updated aviation directive (NOTAM) with new rules concerning international arrivals from abroad.
According to the updated directive, inbound travelers to Greece from EU/Schengen member states and from 33 non-EU countries (mentioned below) that hold a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate will not be subject to additional restrictions (such as testing before travel for the fully vaccinated).
[Since February 1, following a European Commission announcement, the certificates for those vaccinated against COVID-19 with two doses and without a booster shot should be valid for a period of 270 (9 months) for travel.]
All other inbound travelers to Greece (including children over 5 years old) that do not have an EU Digital COVID Certificate, regardless of nationality, Covid vaccination status or proof of recovery, must present a negative PCR test result (performed within 72 hours before travel) or a rapid antigen test result (performed within 24 hours before travel).
The new rules will run until February 21.
Following are Greece’s entry rules in detail.
Travel rules for international arrivals
Passenger Locator Form (PLF)
All travelers to Greece, regardless of their nationality, must submit the mandatory Passenger Locator Form (PLF) any time before the departure of their flight.
EU Digital Covid Certificate (EUDCC) holders
The new NOTAM foresees entry into Greece without additional restrictions (such as the prior Covid-19 testing before travel requirement for vaccinated) for European Union Digital Covid Certificate (EUDCC) holders coming from:
– the EU and Schengen zone countries
– the following 33 non-EU countries and territories that have joined the EUDCC system: San Marino, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, the Vatican, Northern Macedonia, Georgia, Switzerland, El Salvador, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Lebanon, Morocco, Montenegro, Moldova, Monaco, Norway, New Zealand, Ukraine, Uruguay, Panama, Cape Verde, Serbia, Singapore, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, Tunisia, Faroe Islands and Chinese Taipei.
The EU Digital Covid Certificate must include information on one of the following:
1) a vaccination certificate valid for nine months since full vaccination for Covid-19, and without validity limit for travelers who have received the booster dose
2) a recovery certificate valid for 180 days after its issue date
3) a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours before travel or a negative rapid antigen test performed within 48 hours before travel.
The rule is also in force for children aged 5 and over.
Non-EUDCC holders: Mandatory testing before entering the country
All other inbound travelers to Greece that do not have an EUDCC (including children over 5 years old) and regardless of their Covid vaccination status must present a negative PCR test result (performed within 72 hours before travel) or a rapid antigen test result (performed within 24 hours before travel) upon arrival.
Random rapid testing on arrival
Every traveler who arrives in Greece, regardless if they are a holder of the EU Digital Covid Certificate, may be subject to random COVID-19 rapid test at the airport (depending on the data provided on the PLF forms and based on the ‘EVA’ system).
If a passenger is selected for a rapid test and is positive for the coronavirus then he/she must quarantine for a total of five days at home or in a temporary facility as indicated by Greek authorities. The isolation period begins the next day, after diagnosed positive for Covid-19.
The mandatory quarantine can end after five days as long as passengers have no symptoms or their symptoms have subsided (no fever for the last 24 hours without the use of antipyretics). Self-isolation is extended in case fever persists and until it subsides. These passengers are required to wear only a high filtering respirator mask (FFP2 or N95) or a double mask (surgical and fabric) for at least another five days after the end of the self-isolation period.
Wearing a mask is mandatory
At the arrival and departure areas inside airports, as well as during all domestic and international flights, staff and passengers are required to wear a face mask at all times.
Passengers are also required to comply with the instructions of the permanent and temporary staff of airports or airlines responsible for supervising, crowd management and passenger assistance, in order to maintain the necessary distances and to ensure safe boarding/disembarkation to avoid overcrowding.
The compulsory travel documents passengers must have with them are checked by airline staff. According to the HCAA, airline staff is obliged to ascertain that travelers have all the necessary documentation before they board flight to Greece. In the case of violation, the airline will have to to repatriate the passenger at its own expense.
The Greek government has detailed information on a dedicated website with the entry rules to Greece. The website includes frequently asked questions.
Travelers are advised to contact their travel agent or airline to confirm the requirements before their trip. Those in need of specific details on the travel rules for passengers of international flights are advised to contact their embassy or the General Secretariat for Civil Protection.
