Covid-19: Greece Extends Rules for Domestic Flights to the Islands

UPDATE: The HCΑA has extended the aviation directive (NOTAM) for domestic air travel in Greece until FRIDAY, JULY 16.

The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) has extended the travel rules for passengers of domestic flights traveling from the mainland to the islands, until 6am, on Thursday, July 15.

According to the aviation directive (NOTAM) issued on Saturday by the HCΑA, people in Greece (residents and foreign visitors) are allowed to travel to the Greek islands by airplane only if they have one of the following:

– a vaccination certificate stating that 14 days have passed since full vaccination for Covid-19.
Greeks can issue their vaccination certificates here.
Foreigners are obliged to have a vaccination certificate in one of the following languages: Greek, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian or Russian. The vaccination certificate must be issued by a public authority, include the travelers’ name, the type of vaccine administered and the number of doses.
Alternatively, travelers may present, in digital or printed form, an EU Digital COVID Certificate, as proof that a person has been vaccinated against Covid-19 or received a negative test result (48-hour rapid test or 72-hour PCR) or recovered from the coronavirus.

– a negative PCR test performed less than three days (72 hours) prior to the scheduled travel date or a negative rapid antigen test taken 48 hours prior to travel.
Foreigners must have a negative test in one of the following languages: Greek, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian or Russian. (The rule is in force for children over the age of 12.)
Negative test results (PCR or rapid) can be in print or electronic form.

– a recovery certificate.
Travelers can present a medical/recovery certificate issued thirty days after they first tested positive for Covid-19 (the certificate is valid for entry to Greece 180 days after its issue date). The certificate must be issued by a public authority or a certified laboratory in one of the following languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian. (The rule is in force for children over the age of 12.)

Passengers over 12 returning from the islands by plane are strongly advised to self test.

General instructions

Photo: Shutterstock

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 the instructions of the permanent and temporary staff of airports or airlines responsible for supervising, crowd management and passenger assistance, in order to maintain the necessary distances and to ensure safe boarding/disembarkation to avoid overcrowding.

The staff of airline companies are responsible to check that passengers are carrying the required documentation during boarding.

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

The Greek government has detailed information on a dedicated website, which includes frequently asked questions, on how Greece is welcoming visitors this year.

Travelers in need of information regarding specific details are recommended to contact their embassy, airline or the General Secretariat for Civil Protection.