As of Monday, February 7, 2022, travellers to Greece with a European vaccination certificate can enter the country without showing a negative COVID-19 test, as the country prepares to open early for the summer season- marking March 1 as the day that the industry begins to officially welcome international visitors.
On Friday, Greece’s Health Minister Thanos Plevris announced, “Starting Monday, February 7, those entering the country with a European certificate will do so without a mandatory test.”
Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias supported Greece’s decision on easing travel restrictions for European Union citizens, as the country plans on opening the tourism sector earlier than ever.
“Our country is taking all the vital steps this year to welcome our visitors for the summer season, earlier than ever before, as of March 1,” Minister Kikilias said.
“Greece sends a strong message of security to its visitors with a valid European Covid Certificate. The decision follows a number of measures that facilitate potential travellers to plan their visit to Greece,” added Kikilias.
Greece welcomed more than 7.2 million tourists during the January to November period of 2021, however, the government is hoping these numbers increase to pre-pandemic times, with record levels of 2019, when travellers to the country spent more than 18 billion euros, according to receipts.
For non-European citizens, it should be noted that so far, 33 non-EU countries (and territories) have joined the EU Digital COVID Certificate system, based on EU equivalence decisions.
The COVID certificates issued in those 33 countries (and territories) are accepted in the EU under the same conditions as the EU Digital COVID Certificate. These countries are: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Cabo Verde, El Salvador, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Israel, Iceland, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Togo, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man), Uruguay and The Vatican.