Πέμπτη 28.03.2024 ΚΕΡΚΥΡΑ

All the entry requirements for travellers to Greece

tourism
18 Μαΐου 2021 / 16:41

CORFU. The necessary documentation for travellers - How checks are conducted.

On Friday, May 14 Greece opened its borders by air, sea and road to travellers following months of travel restrictions.

According to the new NOTAM issued by the Civil Aviation Authority, which is valid until 24 May, entrance is forbidden to travellers from third countries other than the EU and Schengen Area countries with the following exceptions:

Permanent residents of the following 21 countries: Australia, Northern Macedonia, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, United Kingdom, Israel, Canada, Belarus, Bahrain, New Zealand, South Korea, Qatar, China, Kuwait, Ukraine, Rwanda, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore and Thailand.

Ongoing checks

The responsible local authorities, port, police and airport told Enimerosi that checks have been conducted continuously since the beginning of the tourist season.

A team from EODY is also stationed at Corfu Airport to conduct random tests on travellers just like last year.

According to Igoumenitsa Port Authority, before passengers can board they must show the shipping companies one of the following: PCR tests, rapid test, self test, vaccination certificate or certificate of recovery in order to be given a ticket for Corfu.

Igoumenitsa Harbourmaster Commander Konstantinos Korizis told Enimerosi that last weekend "a lot of people were rushing to pharmacies in Igoumenitsa in order to get self tests in order to travel."

How travellers will be allowed entry to Greece

All travellers must have filled out the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) one day before travel (up to 23:59 on the previous day).

Before departure passengers must have a certificate of health, which can be one of the following:

1. Vaccination certificate (i.e.14 days have elapsed since the last vaccination, depending on the doses required) issued by a public authority
2. Negative Covid-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival
3. Certificate of recovery issued by a public authority

From 1 June Greece will activate the Green Pass - it will be one of the first countries in the EU to do so. The 'digital green certificate' will facilitate safe, free movement within the EU during the pandemic. It will certify that the holder has been vaccinated against Covid-19, has tested negative or has recovered from Covid and can be used in all the EU member states. It can also be used in Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.

Entry Requirements

All passengers on international flights to Greece must fill in a PLF on travel.gov.gr. This also applies to permanent residents of Greece on international departures.

Every traveller who arrives in Greece, regardless of the certificate in their possession, may be selected to undergo a random health screening based on their PLF and using the EVA algorithm which has been developed to allow the safe opening of Greek tourism.

Isolation (quarantine) is mandatory if someone tests positive for Covid-19, following a sampling test. In this case, the travellers and their travel companions are accommodated in quarantine hotels, where they will undergo further PCR testing to confirm the initial diagnosis. If someone tests positive at a land entry point, they may be refused entry.

Travelling to islands

There are also rules for travelling to islands in order to safeguard the health of local residents. Those travelling to islands must have one of the following: Vaccination certificate (at least 14 days after the last dose) or negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before or rapid test taken no more than 24 hours before or self test taken no more than 24 hours before or certificate of recovery (for 2 to 9 months following the illness) and must fill in a special form before boarding the ship.

These checks by airlines and shipping companies are mandatory and apply to all Greek and foreign nationals over the age of 5.

Port Authorities also conduct checks and if a passenger does not have the necessary documentation or test results they will not be allowed to board the ship.


Further information can be found here -  https://travel.gov.gr