Greece ‘s Foreign Ministry has issued classifications regarding the gradual lifting of restrictions for international flights, the opening of land borders and arrivals by sea as of June 15. The Ministry in a form of roadmap informs about the three phases May 30 – June 15, June 15-June 30 and July 1 – onward.
Note that Greece has announced to open its borders as of June 15 to following countries:
Albania, Australia, Austria, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Estonia, Japan, Israel, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania Malta, Montenegro, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Finland.
Greek Foreign Ministry Press Release
Phase 1 – Until 15 June
International flights are allowed only into Athens airport.
All visitors are tested upon arrival and are required to stay overnight at a designated hotel. If the test is negative, then the passenger self-quarantines for 7 days.
If the test is positive, the passenger is quarantined under supervision for 14 days.
Phase 2 – Bridge phase- 15 June to 30 June
International flights are allowed into Athens and Thessaloniki airports.
If your travel originated from an airport not in the EASA affected area list (https://www.easa.europa.eu/SD-2020-01/Airports#group-easa-downloads), then you are only subject to random tests upon arrival.
If you originate from an airport on the EASA affected area list, then you will be tested upon arrival.
An overnight stay at a designated hotel is required. If the test is negative then the passenger self-quarantines for 7 days. If the test is positive, the passenger is quarantined under supervision for 14 days.
Phase 3 – 1 July onwards
International flights are allowed into all airports in Greece.
Visitors are subject to random tests upon arrival.
Additional restrictions regarding certain countries will be announced at a later date.
In addition:
Land border arrivals from Albania, North Macedonia and Bulgaria will be allowed as of 15 June. Visitors will be subject to random tests upon arrival.
Arrivals by sea will be allowed as of 1 July. Visitors will be subject to random tests upon arrival.
Greece at any stage retains the right to modify any of the above in light of changing circumstances.
Frequent Questions and Answers
Q: The European Commission has recommended to member States to restrict non-essential travel from third countries until 15 June 2020. Is this applicable to Greece?
A: Yes. Non-essential travel from third countries to Greece is restricted until 15 June 2020.
Q: Until 15 June 2020, all travelers arriving in Greece undergo a compulsory Covid-19 test and a quarantine. Is this applicable to citizens of all countries?
A: Yes. All travelers, irrespective of nationality, including nationals of EU and Schengen Plus countries, are tested and quarantined. The same rules obviously apply to Greek citizens. If the test is negative, they are placed in a 7-day self-quarantine; if the test is positive, they are under monitored 14-day quarantine. The measures are for the protection of public health and are applicable to all travelers without discrimination.
Q: Are there direct commercial flights from international destination to all Greek airports?
A: Throughout the Covid-19 crisis, there have been direct international flights from many Schengen Plus airports. Until 15 June, international flights arrive only into Athens International Airport. As of 15 June, international flights resume at the Thessaloniki Airport and as of 1 July international flights resume to all Greek airports. Domestic flights have been allowed throughout.
Q: What will change on 15 June 2020?
A: 15 June inaugurates the gradual return to normalcy. Compulsory testing and quarantine will be limited only to travelers, irrespective of nationality, arriving from airports of affected areas with high risk of transmission of the Covid-19 infection, as assessed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The list is constantly updated and travelers should check before traveling (https://www.easa.europa.eu/SD-2020-01/Airports#group-easa-downloads).
All other travelers will enter restriction-free and may be subject to random tests upon arrival.
Q: What will change on 1 July 2020?
A: All travelers will be subject to random tests upon arrival. Additional restrictions regarding certain countries will be announced at a later date.
Q: Is there a difference whether travel is direct or via transit?
A: No. The same rules apply whether travel is completed directly point-to-point or via transit.
The Foreign Ministry statement was issued on May 30, 2020.
The British will stick to Spain, France and other countries for long term future and won’t go to Greece for a few years now as they resent Greece for not letting Brits in and quarantining them on Arrival. Spain and other countries have confirmed very different from 1st July. Greece will suffer long term now
no most Brits that love Greece do not agree with our government allowing the lockdown to ease so soon, Greece has done a remarkable job with its virus control , I will certainly return when its safe to do so and to keep Greece safe
Who appointed you spokeswoman for all British people? Cummings, or his assistant Johnson? Anyway, with your sadistic attitude, I think the Greeks will be far better off without your presence.
Why would you say that about Greece for protecting their citizens as most countries around the World closed their boarders to Travellers and even now overseas travellers have to isolate on arrival And you cannot enter a number of Countries It is something the UK are now doing if done earlier maybe UK would not be in the situation that you now being ask not to travel and having to self quarantine when you return home to UK
You can’t blame Greece for taking a hardline against Britain. We’ve got a shocking record of confirmed cases and deaths. If only people here would follow the rest of the world by following the guidelines and stop thinking they know better…
Greece hasn’t taken a hard line against anyone. The Greek government is using good sense and not allowing any of the countries with uncontrolled virus, exceptional numbers of deaths and cases to come to Greece risking the spread of the virus. The Greek government has been strict and wise, why should they throw their success away by compromising?
Intelligent British people understand that as Britain has not managed to shut down early and control the virus no country could possibly allow people living in Britain to enter with the risk of carrying the virus. Greece is caring about safety. The majority of UK citizens appreciate this and they will come to Greece as soon as they are virus free.
No question, I will be back as long as its not too far away…as an octogenarian there may be a time limit!
Will UK citizens be allowed to drive into Greece or come in by ferry from Italy on or after 1st July 2020
The same checks and quarantine exist at sea ports as at airports.
Same as Vince Earley above. We are waiting to go in the oposite direction Greece to UK with all our house belongings, ferry to Italy then drive to ferry to get to Hull.
Is Switzerland in high risk, all airports? So quarantine is obligatory to Swiss but not
What about greek citizens, are they allowed til leave Greece for the above mentioned countries?
I ment “allowed to leave ….. “
Who could I contact to find out if a person holding a passport from a country outside of the EU, but lives and works in the EU (Germany), would be cleared to travel to Greece?
Greek embassy/consulate in Germany
I will return to Greece as soon as I am allowed. The blame for the ban on travellers from the UK is entirely because of the lax attitude of the United Kingdom Government. I do not blame Greece, indeede I applaud her for being brave enough to to come out and say that the UK’s response to the virus has been extremely poor.
I got caught out by the lock down as it happened so fast.
Been in a Messolonghi marina since March 16th, finally get to move on tomorrow.
The Greek government did what they had to do with out dithering and the population complied, because it was what they needed to do, I hope it works out well for them and they don’t find all their sacrifices undermined by other countries wanted them to change their policies too soon, Yes they need the tourist back but Greece needs to move at a pace that is right for them, they can’t afford to get it wrong, the out come from a 2nd wave might not be so good.
Oh, dear Sara! You have opened a veritable Pandora’s Box with your ill-thought out comments.
Well, you can’t legislate against stupidity.
vanaf 1 juli mogen ook de belgen naar Kreta gaan en wat zijn de voorwaarden