With summer approaching and after months upon months spent within the confines of our own four walls, when all the travel we’ve done has been to the grocery store or the nearest park, our minds inevitably drift to sunny islands with pristine beaches and laid-back vibes. Our minds drift to Greece. Before too long, there will only be one question lingering in our thoughts: When can we travel to Greece again?
This guide is here to show you how and when it will be possible to travel to Greece again and it will be regularly updated to include all the latest developments regarding travel restrictions to Greece.
The Current Traveling To Greece Situation
Since November 7, 2020, Greece has been in lockdown with measures against the spread of the new coronavirus varying from strict to very strict. International travel may not be altogether banned but non-essential travel within the country isn’t allowed. Therefore, traveling to Greece right now makes little to no sense for many reasons.
First of all, not all international travelers are allowed entry to the country at the moment. Greece is only open to visitors coming from the European Union, the Schengen Countries, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Israel, United States of America and Serbia.
All international arrivals must fill in a Passenger Locator Form at least 24 hours before travel, provide a negative Covid-19 test result, and self-isolate for seven days. The latter means that, if you’re planning to visit Greece for a short trip, you may as well spend the better part of your vacation in your hotel room.
Moreover, traveling to Greece now means that visitors would miss out on experiencing the country’s unique dining scene as all restaurants, bars, and cafés are closed, with only some of them offering take-away and delivery options. Museums, art galleries, cinemas, theatres, and other indoor places of interest are also closed. On the contrary, archaeological sites are open to the public.
Last but not least, wearing a face mask is mandatory in all public areas, both outdoors and indoors.
When Can We Travel To Greece Again And How?
The good news is that the current travel requirements to enter Greece and the restrictions that are in place once you are in the country won’t be here for much longer. As the Greek government announced, Greece is ready to welcome visitors from all over the world, including the USA, earlier than expected. With a complete protocol planned out for summer 2021, Greece is looking to re-open international tourism on May 14, 2021.
Unlike the 7-day quarantine period that applies today, the Greek government plans to welcome tourists entering Greece after May 14 with no self-isolation requirements. To achieve this, all international travelers will be required to provide documents proving one of the following:
- They have been vaccinated.
- They have a negative test result.
- They have recovered from the disease and, hence, have antibodies.
On top of that, there will be random testing at entry points, such as Athens International Airport.
As of April 19th 2021, only permanent residents of EU+, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Israel, USA and Serbia are exempted from the 7-day quarantine.
This roadmap to the Greek tourism recovery can set a brilliant example for other countries to follow in an effort to restart international travel and support local economies. The details of the grand re-opening procedure are yet to be revealed by the National Public Health Organization and the Greek Civil Protection, so check back with us as we will be updating this guide with new information once they are announced.
One thing’s for sure: the wait is almost over. The answer to the question When can we travel to Greece again? is no longer wishful thinking. This summer can and will have the scent of Greece. A scent carried by the Aegean Sea breeze, a sweet blend of jasmine, herbs, and freshly baked bread. A scent that will find its way into our souls regardless if we’re wearing face masks or not.
In the meantime, make sure you check out our itineraries and get inspired!