Greece Extends Covid-19 Travel Restrictions for Int’l Arrivals Until May 14

The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) has released updated Covid-19 aviation directives (NOTAM) that extend travel restrictions for 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 following travel restrictions and requirements for international arrivals will remain in place until 6am on Friday, May 14:

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.

Travel ban for non-EU residents / Exemptions
The temporary ban on entry into Greece from outside the EU has been updated. Only citizens traveling for essential reasons from the following 12 countries are excluded from the ban: UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, Rwanda, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Serbia, United States of America and Israel.

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.
The rule includes children traveling from abroad, aged five and over.
International travelers 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.

Athens Airport. Photo Source: Athens International Airport (AIA)

7-day quarantine rule / Exemptions
All passengers entering Greece from abroad must self-isolate either at their home (for permanent residents) or at the place of temporary residence declared on the PLF, for 7 days.

Travelers from the following countries qualify for exemption from mandatory quarantine: all EU member states and the members of the border-free Schengen area, the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, Rwanda, Russia* and Singapore, considering that:

a. they have a negative PCR test performed less than three days (72 hours) prior to their trip (this includes children traveling from abroad, aged five and over), or

b. they have a vaccination certificate issued by a public authority in the English language, stating that 14 days have passed since the completion of their full vaccination for Covid-19.

Passengers from these 12 countries may 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.

Arrivals from Russia
Russian travelers are allowed to enter Greece on flights landing at the airports of Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Corfu, Rhodes, Kos, Mykonos, Santorini and Chania. Greece has a cap on the number of weekly admissions of Russians visitors. Only 4,000 permanent residents of Russia per week are allowed to enter Greece.
*Travelers from Russia will have to present both a negative PCR test and a vaccination certificate in order to be exempt from Greece’s quarantine rule.