Greece Extends Travel Restrictions for Int’l Flights Until March 22

Photo source: Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA)

The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) on Sunday extended travel restrictions for domestic air travel and all international flights landing in Greece.

The restrictions are part of the Greek government’s efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) in the country.

The 7-day quarantine measure remains in place for all arrivals to Greece from abroad. Special restrictions are also in place for flights to Greece from the UK, United Arab Emirates, Albania, North Macedonia and Russia.

Domestic travel: Only essential trips allowed

The non-essential travel restriction for domestic flights (travel between prefectures) in Greece has been extended until 6am on Tuesday, March 16.
The updated Covid-19 aviation directive (NOTAM) concerns domestic scheduled, commercial and general/business flights and foresees that only essential travel is allowed for health and business reasons, family reunification, and returning to permanent residence.

International flights

According to the HCAA’s updated Covid-19 aviation directives (NOTAMS), the following travel restrictions for international arrivals will remain in place until Monday, March 22 at midnight:

PLF remains mandatory
The submission of the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) by all passengers of international flights to Greece remains mandatory.
The rule also applies to Greek citizens and permanent residents of Greece who travel abroad on flights (outbound travel). They are required to fill out the PLF form before their departure from Greece and present it at border checkpoints.

Mandatory negative Covid-19 test result
All travelers from abroad must submit a negative Covid-19 test result (PCR) performed up to 72 hours before arrival in Greece and may also be requested to take a rapid Covid-19 test upon entry (depending on the data provided on the PLF forms). If a passenger is selected for a rapid test and is positive for the coronavirus then he/she must quarantine for a total of 14 days.

7-day quarantine for all arrivals
All passengers entering Greece from any foreign country, including European Union member states, must self-isolate either at their home (for permanent residents) or at the place of temporary residence declared on the PLF, for 7 days. If they are to stay in Greece for a shorter period, the quarantine restriction is valid for that period of time, ie until their departure.

Non-EU citizens allowed into Greece
The temporary ban on entry into Greece from outside the EU has been updated. Only citizens from the following 8 countries are excluded from the ban: UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Russian Federation and Israel. It is noted that Singapore and Rwanda have both been removed from the list of countries exempt from the restriction.

Covid-19 rapid testing mandatory for UK, UAE arrivals
All arrivals to Greece from the UK and the United Arab Emirates are required to take a rapid test for Covid-19 upon arrival.

Flights from Turkey remain banned
The HCAA has extended the travel ban for flights from Turkey to Greece. Flights between Greece – Turkey remain suspended.

Special restrictions for arrivals from UK, Albania, North Macedonia, Russia

UK arrivals
All arrivals from the UK must take a PCR test after their seventh day of quarantine in the Greece. If the test is positive the quarantine will be in force for 14 days. If the test is negative the quarantine ends.

Flights from Albania and North Macedonia can only land in Athens
All flights to and from Greece from Albania and North Macedonia will continue to operate only through Athens International Airport (AIA). Until the restriction is lifted there will be no routes from those countries to any other Greek airports.

Arrivals from Russia
Only 500 permanent residents of Russia per week are allowed to enter Greece on flights landing (only) at the airports of Athens, Thessaloniki and Heraklion.