Greece removes all border restrictions
The picturesque Mediterranean nation will soon make it much easier to enjoy a European island holiday.
By Matt Lennon, April 21 2022
Travellers to Greece will no longer be subject to any pandemic-related travel restrictions from May 2 – just in time for holiday-makers set on a European summer.
From this date, visitors will not be required to take a pre-travel test, enter quarantine or present any sort of Covid-19 documents to access the country, regardless of their country of origin.
Greece health minister Thanos Plevris also anticipated the country will drop all its domestic measures, meaning no vaccination certificates or proof of contraindication will be needed to access the country’s indoor attractions and businesses such as museums, restaurants and cafes.
Following the lead of many other European nations, the Hellenic Republic has gradually eased other entry requirements by removing its passenger locator form as of March 15.
For another few weeks until current rules are officially dropped, the only way to access the country is by presenting a rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours before arrival, a PCR test within 72 hours of arrival, or show proof of recovery from Covid from within 180 days.
Whilst the announcement is certainly a breath of fresh air for the country’s tourism-dependent economy, authorities have hinted the planned freedoms may be short-lived, with restrictions being reconsidered ahead of winter.
But for now, for those eyeing a summertime visit though, the window of opportunity to enjoy a Greek sojourn has been firmly opened.
The appeal of the country’s silvery-gold beaches, glimmering turquoise waters and captivating historical landmarks will surely be enough to lure back millions of tourists this year.
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 1005
Anyone have any idea where you can find Covid restrictions per country worldwide, looking forward to Greek Isles already.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Nov 2021
Total posts 9
Found this website a while ago and is quite accurate for travel restrictions: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 1005
Thank you so much what a great site to reference
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 Jun 2013
Total posts 22
Here's another site I've been using https://www.tripsguard.com/?origin=australia&passport=australia&vaccinated=unvaccinated
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 1005
@dnoble, That is another great site, while I'm on a role does anyone know the easiest way to get a European Vaccination passport from an Australian one?
05 Oct 2017
Total posts 527
What's the point? Europe is scrapping vaccine passports now. In a few months from now, there will hardly be anywhere, where they're still needed.
05 Oct 2017
Total posts 527
Switzerland just removed all border restrictions as well. Previously they allowed Swiss and Schengen member state passport holders travelling from anywhere in the world to enter restriction free over the past several months, but citizens of third countries needed to be vaccinated. Now that is no longer the case.
Velocity
19 Jun 2013
Total posts 65
Great news! Now if only the various countries we need to transit to get to Greece, would do likewise, our joy would be complete.
05 Oct 2017
Total posts 527
I was going to say by June 1, Thailand will remove pretty much all restrictions (from May 1 it will already be greatly simplified) but THAI stopped flying to Athens long ago and there are no direct flights from Bangkok to Athens anymore, hence no advantage of transiting there.
Other options include Singapore, which have scrapped all transit restrictions, so that seems like a good option (would have to confirm if SQ currently flies to Athens, they did pre-Covid) otherwise Emirates should work.
Velocity
19 Jun 2013
Total posts 65
Not SQ, but Scoot fly to ATH (plus BER). Yes, the transit is now painless, but if you want to break the trip & spend a day or two there, mainly eating :-), then the hoops to jump through are a pain. At least from later this month, they don’t want a pre-arrival test. But there’s still all the online stuff, as well as indoor masking and QR’ing. I’ll be doing it in July and Sept on my way to/from EU (Norway & Denmark only, which are both basically back to old normal). Bit I sometimes ask myself why I’m putting myself through things it took us long enough to rid ourselves of here. Answer being, because it IS out of here after 2 long years.
05 Oct 2017
Total posts 527
Ah...Scoot, yes. I forgot about them. Indeed they started serving Athens shortly before Covid (2019 I think). Haven't really been up to date since I've never flown into Greece before. Normally I fly into Zurich when I head over to Europe and then travel by car or train from there.
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
15 Jan 2013
Total posts 457
I would be alright with going but to all avoid the SIA/SCOOT NONSENSE the alternative if available is Qatar Airways via Doha although I am not familiar with the new regulations on transit.
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