Greece
Summary
COVID-19 entry restrictions for Greece
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Greece’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
Travelling from and returning to the UK
Check what you must do to travel abroad and return to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
ItIf you’re planning travel to Greece, find out what you need to know about coronavirus there in the Coronavirus section.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
For information about COVID-19 vaccines, see the Coronavirus page.
Forest fires often occur during the summer months across Greece due to the dry/hot weather. Current weather conditions (extreme heat and high winds) mean fires are more likely. The Civil Protection Authority publishes a daily map detailing fire risk by area (1= low risk to 5= Emergency).
In the case of wildfires, the situation on the ground can change quickly, so you should stay up to date with official advice and alerts by subscribing to the Civil Protection’s SMS or email service, or via “112 Greece” on twitter (to translate to English, click on the tweet and press ‘Translate Tweet’). The Civil Protection Authority publishes a daily map detailing fire risk by area (1= low risk to 5= Emergency).
For further general information on the risk of forest fires, visit the Civil Protection website. For severe weather warnings, visit the European Meteorological Services website. Greece can also experience earthquakes. See Natural disasters
There are rules about taking food and drink into the EU. See Taking food and drink into the EU for further information.
British nationals usually make over 3 million visits to Greece annually. Most visits are trouble-free, but you should take sensible precautions to protect yourself and your belongings. See Crime
In recent years there have been occasional incidents of unrest and violence on the Eastern Aegean islands of Lesvos, Chios and Samos, most recently in response to an increase in arrivals of migrants from Turkey in March 2020, and a fire at the Moria camp for migrants in September 2020. It is possible that further incidents may arise. If you’re on these islands, you should remain vigilant, avoid any demonstrations or related large gatherings, keep up to date with developments and follow the advice of the local authorities.
If you’re living in or moving to Greece, visit our Living in Greece guide in addition to this travel advice.
There are regular strikes, sometimes called at short notice that can cause disruption to public transport (including air travel and ports), as well as road networks and borders. You should avoid all demonstrations and follow the advice given by local security authorities. See Strikes and demonstrations
Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Greece. See Terrorism
The Greek police won’t accept rowdy or indecent behaviour, especially where excessive drinking is involved. Greek courts impose heavy fines or prison sentences on people who behave indecently. Your travel insurance may not cover you after drinking. See Local laws and customs
The emergency services number in Greece is 112. Calling 999 from a UK mobile in Greece will automatically transfer you to the Greek emergency services.
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
Update history
2024-11-29 12:40
Removal of information about UEFA Nations League (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-11-12 12:58
New information about UEFA Nations League (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-11-06 13:23
New information about UEFA Europa League (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-10-21 14:50
New information about UEFA Europe Conference League (‘Safety and security’ page)
2024-09-05 13:16
Information on the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES), planned to be introduced from November 2024 (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-06-25 10:49
Information on what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards (‘Safety and security’ page).”
2024-06-24 15:01
This travel advice was reviewed for style and accuracy.
2024-05-15 13:32
Removal of information on the semi-final between Olympiacos and Aston Villa (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-05-07 15:33
Information on the Europa Conference League semi-final between Olympiacos and Aston Villa (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-04-12 16:20
Information on the legalisation of same sex marriage in February 2024 (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-11-29 10:46
Information on the UEFA Europa League game between AEK and Brighton in Athens on 30 November (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-11-20 11:05
Removal of information on planned demonstrations (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-11-15 15:41
Information on planned demonstrations in Athens and major university cities, including Thessaloniki and Heraklion, on 17 November (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-11-09 10:36
Removal of information on planned protests (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-11-03 19:21
Information on protests planned on Sunday 5 November in Athens (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2023-10-25 13:27
Information on the UEFA Europa League game between Olympiacos and West Ham United (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-10-24 14:21
Information about increased security at some prominent locations and heightened risk of demonstrations (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-09-05 18:55
Addition of information on extreme weather (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-08-23 16:59
Removal of information on the UEFA Super Cup (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-08-14 15:13
Information on travelling to the UEFA Super Cup in Athens (‘Safety and Security’ page).
2023-07-31 16:38
Information on lifting of the state of emergency in Rhodes (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-07-28 17:29
Information on wildfires across Greece and associated state of emergency (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-07-25 17:33
Information on wildfires across Greece, including in populated areas on the mainland and a number of islands (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-07-23 12:33
Updated information on wildfires in Rhodes (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2023-07-23 00:33
Information on wildfires (Summary page)
2023-07-22 22:33
Information on wildfires (Summary page)
2023-07-22 16:19
Information on wildfires (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security: Extreme weather’)
2023-07-17 12:42
Information added on high summer temperatures, see ‘Extreme weather’ (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-06-29 17:27
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-06-22 10:27
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-04-28 11:53
Removal of out-of- date information about the Tempi rail accident on 28 February (‘Summary’ page).
2023-03-31 13:29
Updated information covering the relaxation of requirements to wear a mask in public spaces (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2023-03-10 12:46
Updated information regarding the rail accident near the city of Larissa on 28 February (‘Summary’ page).
2023-03-01 07:41
Addition of information regarding a collision between two trains near the city of Larissa, which took place in the early hours of 1 March (Summary)
2023-02-21 13:59
General editorial updates including additional information on strikes and demonstrations (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages), updated information on Covid-19 (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry Requirements’ pages), staying safe (‘Safety and Security’ page), and changes to entry requirements for touring creatives (‘Entry Requirements’ page).
2022-09-05 14:57
Update to general information on the risk of forest fires (‘Summary’ page)
2022-07-21 14:43
Updated information on forest fires (‘Summary’ page)
2022-07-20 16:39
Updated information on forest fires around Athens (‘Summary’ page)
2022-07-19 19:36
Updated information on forest fires in Athens. (Summary)
2022-07-19 10:27
Updated information on what to do if you test positive for COVID-19 while in Greece (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2022-06-07 13:35
Update to information on the requirement to wear a mask in Greece (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2022-05-31 14:45
Update to information on the requirement to wear a mask in Greece (‘Coronavirus’ page)
2022-05-12 15:21
Clarification about current passport validity (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-05-11 17:20
Information on likely disruption caused by demonstrations planned for 12 May (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-05-04 12:57
Updated information following changes to entry procedures and COVID-19 restrictions from 1 May (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-04-29 22:16
Updated information on the relaxation of COVID-19 requirements (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-04-07 12:51
Updated information on the length of validity of COVID-19 vaccine certificates and proof of recovery documents (‘Coronavirus’ page)
2022-03-15 11:38
Updated information on entry requirements to Greece (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-03-04 14:16
Updated information on mask wearing requirements (’Coronavirus’ page) and additional information on entry requirements to Greece (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-02-22 12:18
Updated information on ‘Entry requirements’.