Greece’s Covid-19 Rules for Those Not Vaccinated Begin September 13

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As of Monday, September 13, unvaccinated individuals in Greece will be subject to restrictions regarding their entry to their places of work, restaurants and other indoor areas.

The Greek government has announced the specific measures aiming to curb the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) in the country, following an increase in confirmed cases, hospitalizations and intubations.

The new restrictions, which will be in force until March 31, 2022, see unvaccinated individuals having to undergo rapid Covid-19 antigen tests in order to enter most indoor areas, considering that they have tested negative. PCR tests will also be accepted.

On the other hand, some establishments with indoor areas will not allow unvaccinated individuals to enter in general.

The unvaccinated will also have to present a negative Covid-19 test result in order to travel domestic on planes, ferries, buses and trains (information is provided below).

The unvaccinated have to pay for rapid tests

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Unvaccinated individuals should know that only rapid tests conducted at private health centers – at the cost of 10 euros – will be accepted by establishments.

From September 13, unvaccinated individuals will no longer be allowed to get tested for Covid-19 for free by the mobile health teams of EODY that carry out daily rapid tests at no charge to citizens in different areas.

Where the unvaccinated can or cannot go

As of September 13, adults that have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 will not be allowed to enter the indoor areas of restaurants, bars, cafes,internet cafes and taverns. Entrance will be allowed only for the vaccinated and those with proof of recovery from Covid-19 (stating that they have recovered from the virus in the last six months). Verification checks to certificates will be conducted at entrances. All certificates will be scanned by the Covid Free app.

Unvaccinated adults will however be able to enter the indoor areas of theaters, cinemas, museums, archaeological sites and gyms/sports federations. More specifically, entrance will be allowed to the vaccinated, those with proof of recovery from Covid-19 (stating that they have recovered from the virus in the last six months) and the unvaccinated that have a negative rapid antigen test performed within 48 hours prior. Verification checks to certificates will be conducted via the Covid Free app.

It is noted that theaters and cinemas have the option to operate as “Covid free” (vaccinated-only) and “mixed” spaces. This will be displayed on entrance doors. Establishments that operate as Covid free spaces will allow entrance only for the vaccinated and those that have recovered from the coronavirus in the last six months. “Mixed” spaces will allow the vaccinated, those who have recovered from Covid-19 and the unvaccinated that have a negative rapid antigen test.

Indoor/outdoor sports areas

The unvaccinated will not be allowed to enter indoor or outdoor sports areas. Entrance will be allowed only for the vaccinated and those with proof of recovery from Covid-19 in the last six months.

Teenagers and children

Unvaccinated teenagers aged 12 to 17 years old can enter all of the aforementioned establishments provided they have a negative rapid test taken up to 48 hours earlier. For children (4 to 11 years) to be allowed entrance, proof of a negative self-test taken 24 hours prior is necessary.

Vaccinated non-EU visitors

As the Covid Free GR app only recognizes Greek vaccination certificates and the EU Digital COVID Certificate held by EU citizens, vaccinated visitors from non-EU countries – such as the United Kingdom or the United States – can enter indoor areas of establishments by simply presenting their national vaccination certificate or recovery certificate in printed or electronic form. They will also have to have some form of identification with them such as an ID card or passport.

Domestic travel: Negative rapid test result mandatory

From September 13, anyone unvaccinated (age 12 and over) that wants to travel between Greek regions by plane, ferry, KTEL bus, or intercity train will need to have a negative rapid antigen test performed within 48 hours before travel (negative PCR test performed within 72 hours before travel will also be accepted).

Travelers will have to upload their test results to the government’s website www.gov.gr to issue a certificate which they will have to print out (or save to their phone) and show when requested. All certificates will be scanned by the Covid Free app.

Minors between 4 and 11 years old can travel with a negative self test result performed within 24 hours before travel. After self testing (and considering the result is negative) travelers must access the self-test declaration form here, print it out, write their negative test result, sign it and then present it when requested at the airport, port, train/bus station.

Travelers that have a vaccination certificate, stating that 14 days have passed since full vaccination for Covid-19, or a recovery certificate (stating that they have recovered from the virus in the last six months) are exempt from testing.

Travelers are advised to contact their travel agent or ticket provider for specific details.

It is noted that unvaccinated travelers moving in private cars will not need to have any form of documentation when traveling between regions.

What applies to unvaccinated workers, school students and university students

From Monday, September 13:

– Unvaccinated workers in the public and private sectors will have to take a rapid antigen test once a week (at their own expense) at the cost of 10 euros.

– People working in academia, tourism, restaurants, cafes, bars and entertainment productions will be required to take two rapid antigen tests per week (at their own expense).

– Unvaccinated school students will have to take two self tests per week (free of charge). The self test kits can be received at pharmacies.

– Unvaccinated university students will have to take two rapid antigen tests twice a week (at their own expense).

It should be noted that employers have the right by law to request employee vaccination or testing status at any time and can suspend unvaccinated employees that refuse to present a test result. Employers who do not check if their unvaccinated employees have undergone their weekly rapid tests will be fined between 300 and 1,500 euros while workers that ignore their obligation to test will be fined 300 euros.

Unvaccinated students (at schools and universities) that do not comply face suspension from class.

It is noted that masks must be worn at all times when in indoor spaces and at outdoor crowded areas in Greece.