Travel Rules to Greece Ease Off as of Today 

As the Easter holidays approach, Greece has announced that as of today, March 15, international visitors will no longer be required to fill out a Passenger Locator Form (PLF). 

“As of Tuesday, passengers arriving in the country from any destination overseas do not need to fill in the online PLF form before arriving in Greece,” stated the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority on Monday. 

Those who hold a valid European Union digital COVID-19 certificate do not need to present proof of a negative pre-arrival COVID-19 test. This includes travellers from the EU and Schengen zone; as well as 33 other non-EU destinations that have joined the EU digital COVID Certificate system. 

The 33 additional non-EU destinations include 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, Tunisia, Togo, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and the Vatican. 

Travellers from the United States, Australia, and Canada can also enter Greece by showing one of the following: proof of vaccination, proof of recovery certificate ( that passenger has had the virus in the last 180 days), or a negative COVID-19 PCR test administered 72 before departure or a negative antigen test administered no more than 24 hours prior to departure.

Visitors from all other countries still need to present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test administered 72 before departure or a negative antigen test administered no more than 24 hours prior to departure. 

Visitors from all other countries still need to present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test administered 72 before departure or a negative antigen test administered no more than 24 hours prior to departure. 

Other Entry Rules into Greece

Random rapid testing on arrival

All international visitors to Greece, regardless of vaccination status, may be subject to a random COVID-19 rapid test at the airport. 

If a passenger is selected for a rapid test and is positive for the coronavirus, they must quarantine for five days at home or in a temporary facility as indicated by Greek authorities. 

Wearing Masks at Airports 

At the arrival and departure areas inside airports, as well as during all domestic and international flights, staff and passengers are required to wear a face mask at all times.

Passengers are also required to comply with instructions of airport and airline staff responsible for supervising, crowd management and passenger assistance, in order to maintain the necessary distances and to ensure safe boarding/disembarkation to avoid overcrowding.

For all the latest travel requirements to Greece head to travel.gov.gr

Direct Flights to Greece From US and Canada, Extended for 2022

Direct flights to Greece from the United States and Canada will begin a lot earlier and end later this year, as Greece aims to extend its tourism season for 2022. 

Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias this week announced that direct flights from the United States to Greece will begin on March 7, earlier than any other year.

Following a meeting with US Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt at the Ministry, Kikilias also revealed that this summer American Airlines will operate 14 direct flights every week between eight large US airports and Athens International Airport.

“This amounts to a vote of confidence in our country by a key market, which adds high value to Greek tourism,” said Minister Kikilias. 

Direct flights from Canada to Athens will also launch on April 2nd. This was announced by the Greek Tourism Ministry on Wednesday, following a meeting between Minister Kikilias and Canadian Ambassador Mark Allen.

The direct flights from Canada will extend to the end of November for the first time, which is also part of the Tourism Ministry’s aim to extend the tourism season in the country.

Kikilias emphasised that more international visitors from the United States and Canada are expected in Greece in 2022, following the recent lifting of mandatory coronavirus tests for fully vaccinated Americans, Canadians and Australians (which came into effect on February 12, 2022). 

Image Courtesy of Dymabroad 

Greece’s Tourism Expected to Boom in 2022

Greece is gearing up for what is expected to be an outstanding year in travel for the entire country. 

The Greek Tourism Ministry is anticipating the sector will return to pre-pandemic levels in 2022, as officials are working closely with industry leaders to ensure it’s a record year across the board. 

In 2019, over 33 million visitors arrived in Greece, up from 24 million in 2015, making it one of the most visited countries in Europe and the world.  

And according to Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias, this year will see a booming comeback with new projects including upgrading important tourism infrastructure, setting up a crisis management task force, and new training programs for tourism professionals.

The Ministry also stressed the importance of highlighting Greece as a year-round destination, extending the tourism season, promoting lesser-known destinations, attracting higher-quality tourists, promoting cruise travel, attracting tourism investment, as well as focusing on sustainable tourism practices.

So far, the government has approved projects including upgrades to tourist ports, development of winter and mountain tourism, development of wellness and health tourism, training programs for tourism employees, agri-food and gastronomy tourism, diving and underwater tourism as well as making beaches more accessible to those with disabilities. 

According to trade publication Travel Pulse, a recent survey by tour operators worldwide revealed key travel trends and top destinations for 2022, with Europe leading the way. Italy is currently ranking as the number one place of interest, Greece, and France tying second, and Ireland coming in at number three.

In another report just released by Greek tourism research group Tourix, Athens is also attracting more and more interest from the United States, Israel, and Cyprus.

Greece Covered in Layers of Snow

Snowfall blanketed much of Greece on Monday, from Athens and Crete to Naxos and Santorini, as the country turned into a winter wonderland with layers of snow.

Insights Greece - Greece Covered in Layers of Snow
Greek islands covered in snow

A severe snowstorm disrupted road and air traffic Monday in the Greek capital of Athens while snow blanketed most of Greece, including Tinos, Naxos, Mykonos and Santorini as well Evia. And the Acropolis was covered in a layer of heavy snow on Tuesday as the Greek capital received its heaviest winter storm in 12 years. Ancient ruins around the city were covered in a coat of white snow, making for unique photoshoots of monuments across Athens.

The Greek government has also declared a holiday Tuesday in the greater Athens area, parts of central Greece and the islands to keep people safe. Only essential services including supermarkets, gas stations and pharmacies remain open.

Insights Greece - Greece Covered in Layers of Snow
Acropolis dressed in white

The snow closed parts of Greece’s highways and temporarily stopped ferry service from Athens to the Greek islands. Flights to and from regional airports were also disrupted,  Authorities urged the public to refrain from nonessential travel.

Greek carrier Aegean Airlines cancelled most flights on Monday and said it expected schedules to be disrupted on Tuesday and possibly Wednesday.

The cold weather is expected to stay in Greece until Wednesday, moving further south to the island of Crete.

Greece in Need of Support Due to Devastating Wildfires

Greece is currently battling over 150 wildfires, with hundreds of firefighters and 20 water-bombing aircrafts trying to control the raging blazes across the country.

Extra firefighters and planes are being sent in from countries including France, Israel, Cyprus, Romania; while other European Union members have announced they are also offering assistance. 

The fires have damaged hundreds of homes in the northern suburbs of Athens, Evia, the Peloponnese, and elsewhere and tragically two people have lost their lives. Meanwhile, major roads have shut down and train services suspended. Greek authorities issued a ban through to Monday, August 9, on access to national parks, forest areas, Natura regions, and parklands. 

The country will remain in a state of emergency in the coming days due to an even higher risk of wildfires due to stronger winds.

During this extremely difficult time, any help for those most in need will go a long way.  

We have put together a list of places below, for those who are able to give much-needed assistance and support to those who have been tragically affected by the wildfires. 

Hellenic Red Cross

Bank: EUROBANK

Beneficiary: HELLENIC RED CROSS

Account Number: 0026.0240.30.0201205013

IBAN: GR2602602400000300201205013

For more information please call 2103609825 or visit redcross

Donate to THI’s Wildfire Relief Fund

 Join The Hellenic Initiative in supporting the firefighters and vetted NGOs working around the clock to provide assistance that is both effective and responsible. 100% of the funds raised will be used for this relief effort.

For more information visit facebook.com/donate

If you are in Athens and are able to help, there are places where food and essentials for people and animals are being collected.

Gathering points in Athens:

Kolonaki: Gastounis 11, 5:30pm -8pm

Glyfada: Mikers at Geor. Gennimata 157

Kallithea: 10 Sarandaporou, until 5pm

Nea Smyrni:  4 Aidini, until 9pm

Kerameikos: Megalou Alexandrou 122, MKO “O Allos Anthropos” 

Kifissia: Kifissia City Hall & Municipal Stadium “Zirini” (24 Dionysou and Myrsinis) PH: 210 801 2549

Kerameikos: 122 Megalou Alexandrou Street

For animals that are in need please contact:

Gerakas Veterinary Centre: 8 Ermou, Gerakas, PH: 211 700 5677

Ekali: Agios Modestos Animal Hospital, 35 Thiseos Avenue, PH: 210 813 4772 

Exarcheia Pet Corner, Tositsa 5 

Please also check out the following initiatives that have been set up via Instagram: 

@act4evoia

 @act4peloponnese

@act4naturaldisasters

*We will keep updating this page with new information as it comes through.