Dear traveler
We welcome you to Thessaloniki and wish you enjoy a wonderful, unforgettable holiday experience.
For the protection of your own health, your family’s, as well as that of all those involved in offering you a safe hospitality, we have grouped all the answers to questions you may have regarding the health protocols apply in Greece.
See here.
Requirements in order to enter Greece
As Greece has open up to tourism again, there are a number of measures in place for international visitors and local residents to restrict the spread of Covid-19. The government plan for dealing with the disease is assessed and updated on the basis of the daily epidemiological data. We inform you that it is mandatory to wear a face mask in indoor spaces, including the public transport means, taxis and interurban coaches.
Passengers of international and domestic flights will have to show:
- either a certificate of vaccination against Covid-19, issued by their country’s national authority, in the English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, or Russian language, on the condition that a fourteen (14) day period has elapsed since these passengers were fully vaccinated;
- either a negative molecular test (PCR) for COVID-19, taken up to 72 hours before their entry. Upon their arrival, they may also be subject to random testing (rapid tests) as per the procedure described in the Passenger Locator Form (PLF), which is a document required to be submitted by all passengers of incoming international flights, one day before they arrive in Greece. Greek residents who are passengers of international flights leaving Greece are also required to fill in the Passenger Locator Form (PLF).
- either a medical certificate of a COVID-19 infection, issued by a national authority / an accredited testing laboratory, in the English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, or Russian language. The certificate can be issued thirty (30) days after the positive test result and it is valid for six months.
For all information about how to travel to Greece and about COVID-19 measures and restrictions, please visit Greece Health First website.
Passenger Locator Form (PLF)
The Passenger Locator Form (PLF) can be found on the:
- Visit Greece app (IOS) or (Android)
- travel.gov.gr
Locations for COVID-19 Tests
The list of all locations where you can take a COVID -19 test (PCR or rapid antigen test) can be found here.
Flights
For the protection of passengers and citizens from COVID-19, the following restrictions apply until 6:00 a.m., July 8th 2021:
Third country citizens are not allowed to enter Greece for non-essential reasons.
The residents of European Union & Schengen Area countries, the USA, the UK, Serbia, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, Rwanda, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the Russian Federation, Israel, Canada, North Macedonia, Ukraine, China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Belarus, Bahrain, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Japan, Lebanon, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Jordan, Moldova, Brunei, and Kosovo may visit Greece for pleasure.
All flight passengers must fill in the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) one day before they arrive in the country.
Upon arrival, the residents of the above countries will have to show:
- a certificate of vaccination against Covid-19, issued by their country’s national authority, in the English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, or Russian language, on the condition that a fourteen (14) day period has elapsed since these passengers were fully vaccinated;
OR
- a negative result to a molecular PCR test for Covid-19, taken within 72 hrs before their entry in Greece, or a negative rapid test taken within 48 hrs before their arrival, issued by an accredited testing laboratory in the English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian language;
OR
-a medical certificate of a COVID-19 infection, issued by a national authority / an accredited testing laboratory, in the English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, or Russian language. The certificate can be issued thirty (30) days after the positive test result and it is valid for six months.
Travelers from abroad may also carry a Digital Covid-19 Certificate, in either printed or electronic form, which will include information related to their vaccination, or the result of their PCR or rapid test taken before travelling, or the details about their Covid-19 infection.
Travelers arriving from the Russian Federation, whether vaccinated or not, must show a negative result to a molecular PCR test or a rapid (antigen) test, and they will also be subject to new testing upon arrival.
Flight passengers will be subject to random testing (rapid tests) as per the procedure described in the Passenger Locator Form (PLF). If a traveller tests positive, then they will have to quarantine for ten (10) days. International flight passengers, who have been fully vaccinated and the rapid test they take upon arrival is positive, will have to self-isolate for seven (7) days. In both cases, self-isolated travellers will have to show a negative result to a molecular PCR test on the last day of their quarantine, in order for the quarantine to be lifted.
The above prerequisites for entering Greece (vaccination certificate or negative PCR/rapid test or certificate of recovery from Covid-19) also apply to children aged twelve (12) and older.
Greek residents who are passengers of international flights leaving Greece are also required to fill in the Passenger Locator Form (PLF).
Until 6:00 a.m. July 12th 2021, the domestic flight passengers to Greek islands will have to show board control officers any one of the following documents, depending on their age group:
Adults:
EITHER
- a certificate of vaccination against Covid-19, in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, or Russian, issued by a national authority, on the condition that a fourteen (14) day period has elapsed since these travellers were fully vaccinated;
OR
- a negative result to a molecular PCR test for Covid-19, taken within 72 hrs before they travel, or an antigen (rapid) test taken within 48 hrs.before boarding;
OR
- a medical certificate of a Covid-19 infection, issued by a national authority / an accredited testing laboratory, in the English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, or Russian language. The certificate can be issued thirty (30) days after the positive test result and it is valid for six months.
Minors (aged 12 to 17):
Any one of the above documents or a self-test taken up to 24 hrs before boarding (the result must be entered on the platform self-testing.gov.gr).
Children under the age of twelve (12) travel freely.
The document of a negative molecular PCR test or a rapid test may be either in printed or electronic form.
If the above test has been taken abroad and it is still valid at the time of boarding the domestic flight, then the passengers who present it can move to their final destinations without any further delay.
Protocol for passengers travelling by air: See more info here.
Land borders
Land border arrivals for non-essential reasons are allowed through Kakavia & Mavromatio entry points (from Albania), through Evzones, Doirani, Niki, and Krystallopigi cross points (from North Macedonia), through Promachonas, Ormenio, Nymfea, and Exochi border checkpoints (from Bulgaria), as well as through Kipoi and Kastanies entry points from Turkey. Travellers will have to fill in and submit the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) one day before they arrive.
Third country citizens are not allowed to enter Greece for non-essential reasons.
The residents of European Union Member States and Schengen Area countries, the U.S.A., the U.K., Serbia, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, Rwanda, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the Russian Federation, Israel, Canada, North Macedonia, Ukraine, China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Belarus, Bahrain, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Japan, Lebanon, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Jordan, Moldova, Brunei and Kosovo may visit Greece for pleasure.
Upon arrival, the residents of the above countries will have to show:
EITHER
• a certificate of vaccination against Covid-19, issued by their country’s national authority, in the English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, or Russian language, on the condition that a fourteen (14) day period has elapsed since these travellers were fully vaccinated;
OR
• a negative result to a molecular PCR test for Covid-19, taken within 72 hrs before their entry in Greece, or a negative rapid test taken within 48 hrs before their arrival, issued by an accredited testing laboratory in the English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, or Russian language;
OR
• a medical certificate of a Covid-19 infection, issued by a national authority / an accredited testing laboratory, in the English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, or Russian language. The certificate can be issued thirty (30) days after the positive test result and it is valid for six months.
Travelers from abroad may also carry a Digital Covid-19 Certificate, in either printed or electronic form, which will include information related to their vaccination, or the result of their PCR or rapid test taken before travelling, or the details about their Covid-19 infection.
Travelers arriving from the Russian Federation, whether vaccinated or not, must show a negative result to a molecular PCR test or a rapid (antigen) test, and they will also be subject to new testing upon arrival.
Travelers may be subject to random antigen (rapid) tests for Covid-19 at the entry checkpoints; this procedure (either a rapid test or a molecular PCR test) is mandatory for those entering through Mavromatio border gate. If a traveller tests positive, then they will have to quarantine for ten (10) days. Travellers entering Greece, who have been fully vaccinated and the rapid test they take upon arrival is positive, will have to self-isolate for seven (7) days. In both cases, self-isolated travellers will have to show a negative result to a molecular PCR test on the last day of their quarantine, in order for the quarantine to be lifted.
The above guidelines must be followed by all Greek and foreign travellers over the age of twelve (12).
Protocol for passengers travelling by land: See more info here.
Αdditional precautionary measures
Accommodation: All hotels and other accommodation facilities are in operation as of May 15th.
The accommodation, as well as the rest of the tourist facilities, are ready to provide safe conditions to the visitors, according to the measures and recommendations of the Greek National Public Health Organization (EODY). The measures are related to the functioning of the hotels and private accommodation, tourist agencies, camps and marinas, air traffic, private and public transportation, restaurants, bars and beach bars.
All the tourism stakeholders aim to provide maximum safety to the guests as well as to protect the health of the local people along with the health of all the Greeks and international citizens who plan to visit Thessaloniki.
All the information regarding the details of the opening of each accommodation facility can be found on their official website and social media.
Restaurants and cafés / bars
Restaurants, cafés, bars, and nightclubs are open. Tables are set in outdoor spaces ONLY. Customers at the nightclub entrance must show either a vaccination certificate, or a medical document as proof of a Covid-19 infection, issued not sooner than thirty (30) days after the positive test result, or a negative rapid test taken within 48 hrs.
Up to 10 individuals are allowed per table. Two customers seated on stools are allowed at the counter and a 1.5 m distance must be kept from the next two customers.
The use of masks is mandatory for customers waiting for a table, and strongly recommended for those already seated.
Culture/ Entertainment:
Archaeological sites are open to visitors across the country. Up to twenty (20) visitors can enter the sites in groups (this limit does not apply to families). Wearing a face mask and practicing physical distancing are obligatory during the visit. Groups following a tour guide may include up to 40 individuals, on the condition that, before entering, they show a vaccination certificate, or a medical document as proof of a Covid-19 infection, issued not sooner than thirty (30) days after the positive test result, or a negative rapid test taken within 48 hrs. This restriction applies to visitors aged twelve and older.
The museums and the monuments exhibited indoors welcome their visitors in accordance with the health protocols in place (physical distancing, wearing a face mask, etc). Up to ten (10) individuals may visit in groups (except for larger families). Groups following a guide may include up to 20 individuals, on the condition that, before entering, they show a vaccination certificate, or a medical document as proof of a Covid-19 infection, issued not sooner than thirty (30) days after the positive test result, or a negative rapid test taken within 48 hrs. This restriction applies to visitors aged twelve and older.
Open-air cinemas are allowed to operate at 75% capacity. Outdoor screenings take place in accordance with the health and safety guidelines. Cinemas in indoor spaces have reopened at 50% capacity. Viewers will have to buy an e-ticket, and follow the health and safety guidelines. They will also have to show either a vaccination certificate or a negative molecular PCR test taken up to 72 hrs. or a rapid test taken within 48 hrs. or a self-test up to 24 hrs. before entering.
Live events (theatre or dance performances, concerts etc.) are held in open-air venues with seated guests only and at 65% — 75% capacity, depending on the size of each venue. Face masks are mandatory.
Beaches with amenities are open across Greece, provided that arrangements are made for the necessary distancing among visitors. With the exception of families, each umbrella may be used by two individuals only.
Travelers’s advice
The risk for travelers is considered high. It is recommended that travelers avoid nonessential travel to areas with local transmission of COVID-19. There is no vaccine against this novel corona virus.
If you are travelling to areas with local transmission of COVID-19, you should:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or a disinfectant, especially after coughing or sneezing, before handling and consuming food.
- Avoid any contact with patients who are ill with respiratory symptoms.
- Avoid contact with animals (dead or alive), meat markets and meat products (such as raw meat).
- Avoid visiting live bird and animal markets.
- During your stay in areas with local transmission of COVID-19 you should:
- Postpone your trip if you have fever and/or respiratory symptoms, such as cough or you have difficulty to breathe.
- Cover your mouth and your nose with a tissue or with your elbow (not with your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid any contact with other persons if you have fever and/or respiratory symptoms such as cough or you have difficulty to breathe.
After your return from areas with local transmission of COVID-19:
- Watch your health constantly for 14 days.
- In case you have fever and/or respiratory symptoms, such as respiratory failure or cough 14 days after your return, it is recommended to stay at home and seek immediately medical care, mentioning your recent trip or communicate with the National Public Health Organisation in Greece (1135, 210-5212054).
For further information by the National Public Health Organisation click here.
See also the advice to incoming travellers provided by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, here.
