COVID-19 Restarting Travel & Tourism in Greece Greece Looking to Simplify Covid Rules for Tourists by Nikos Krinis 1 March 2022 written by Nikos Krinis 1 March 2022 16 comments Share 0FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail 62 Source: European Commission / Photographer: Yorgos Karahalis The Greek government plans to look into simplifying the Covid-19 rules and health protocols that travelers need to follow to enter and stay in Greece. In statements to the press this week, Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias said the government will aim to offer guests a seamless travel experience in Greece this season. According to the minister, the government will soon discuss with the country’s Covid-19 health committee of experts on the possibility of further easing health protocols and bureaucratic procedures at land borders, airports and airlines so as to facilitate travelers when they come to Greece. More specifically, discussions will focus on simplifying the procedures with regard to the PLF (a mandatory document needed to travel to Greece) and the special health protocols currently valid for hotels, rooms to let and cruise ships. “Measures will be announced in the coming days that will take effect from March 15,” Kikilias said, adding that the ministry is taking careful steps and keeping the balance between health safety and facilitating visitors to Greece. Photo source: European Commission / Photographer: Yorgos Karahalis The minister reminded that vaccinated holders of the European Union Digital Covid Certificate (EUDCC) as well as holders of certificates that are compatible with the EU system no longer need to take a test for Covid-19 before their trip to Greece. The same is in force for vaccinated travelers from the US, Canada and Australia. “Only the unvaccinated will have to have a test in order to be able to travel to the country,” Kikilias said. Greece opening to tourists early this year According to the minister, the interest in travel to Greece this year is very strong. “In terms of bookings made through major tour operators, airlines, ferries and hotels, which are also from major markets such as the US, Canada, Australia, the messages are very encouraging,” Kikilias said. It is reminded that the first seasonal direct flights from the US will begin on March 7 (Delta Air Lines with flights connecting Athens to New York-JFK, Atlanta and Boston). More direct flights from the US will gradually follow as well as flights from Canada (as of April 2) and Australia. “Australia is opening to travel after 2 years and travelers there have a huge interest for Greece the Australian ambassador has informed me,” he said. Moreover, Kikilias said the ministry is increasing the possibilities for Greece to host visitors for a longer period by extending the tourism season. “We have all the indications that we can start the season in March, accelerate in April and have tourism until November and December 2022,” the tourism minister said. Join the 15,000+ travel executives who read our newsletter Follow GTP Headlines on Google News to keep up to date with all the latest on tourism and travel in Greece. Share 0 FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail Nikos Krinis Nikos is Greek-American born in New York, USA, and has lived in Greece for over 30 years. He is the managing editor of Greece's leading monthly travel and tourism guide, the Greek Travel Pages (GTP) since June 2008 and of news site GTP Headlines since its launch in September 2012. Nikos has also served as international press officer for the City of Athens and for the mayor. He has a degree in Mass Media and Communications, specializing in Journalism. Nikos is a native English speaker and speaks Greek fluently. previous post IATA: Europe Air Passenger Traffic to Fully Recover in 2024 next post Greece Opens 50,000 Tourism Jobs for Greek Expats and Ukrainian Refugees You may also like Greece’s Hotel Market Sees Major Investments Over Four Months 5 February 2025 Greek Tourism Ministry Monitors Santorini Situation as Seismic Activity Continues 5 February 2025 Global Air Passenger Demand Reaches Record High in 2024, IATA Reports 5 February 2025 Greek PM Reassures Public About Santorini’s Ongoing Seismic Activity 5 February 2025 Milos: Ministry Suspends 5-star Hotel Construction Near Sarakiniko Beach 5 February 2025 ELIME and HELMEPA Join Forces for Safer, More Sustainable Greek Ports 5 February 2025 16 comments Claire Cann 3 March 2022 - 22:22 Please get rid of the PLF and also random testing on arrival as this is really putting me off my plans to travel to Greece in April. Reply P. Smith 3 March 2022 - 21:17 The unvaccinated are being discriminated here, no way will we pay for tests to come to Greece. Vaccinated can still catch and spread it. STOP WITH THIS THEATRE NOW. Reply David 5 March 2022 - 20:33 I agree. It’s a only a cold. Vaccinated spread this cold exactly the same. It’s about the booster program… It’s about big pharma. Greece is a little place full of little minds… Reply margareta Whitworth 3 March 2022 - 20:50 The PLF form is stressful and unecassary, it is a burden to think about. Please remove this extra burden for us travelling. Even having to have a Greek app is a strange request!? Thankyou! Reply David molley 3 March 2022 - 10:46 I would like to see the end of the PLF form as it can be stressful to do Reply Luciano Borghesi Filho 2 March 2022 - 22:34 Please, relax tests and restrictions on ferry trips in Greece I mean from Athens to islands and between islands. Also consider vaccin cettificates from other countries than EU. All vaccins certificates should be accepted. O am holding my vaccation booking in Greece due to uncertainties regarding covid requerimento to entre Greece and travel to islands. The sooner the Greek government announces it, the better for all Greece and torists. Reply Luciano Pahlo 4 March 2022 - 01:19 Brazilian certificates are accepted, just not included in the EU app certificate, its just needed the PCR or antigen test before the Flight to Greece. The guys from Grécia Viagens in São Paolo can help you with all the details. Reply Marta 2 March 2022 - 20:29 I agree with all comments and know the war start , do soldiers need to use masks ou stop for PCR and waiting for results during the fighting? Nonsense is just a flu or cough It is not a Lepra that we have to keep distance Reply dianne beach 2 March 2022 - 20:18 I just hope they get rid of the plf. It just puts people off going. not everybody has Internet on there phone especially some of the elderly you haven’t always got some one to do it for you Reply Ray Fuller 2 March 2022 - 16:47 As well as extending the season why not review the 90 day rule so that selected nationalities can pay extended visits. In particular post Brexit many UK nationals with properties and boats etc are having to consider not visiting Greece and selling up due to this unpractical and needless restriction. Reply Johnson 2 March 2022 - 15:02 Other countries have already dropped all measures. Greece is going to run the covidclown measures even when no one else is anymore. ENOUGH ALREADY. Reply paul cooke 2 March 2022 - 13:46 I completely agree with T Ferguson. Enough is enough. My family has natural immunity and that is far superior to to the vaxxed people who have been injected with something that only protects for a few months at best. Since having immunity back in July 2021, i have been in close contact with lots of covid positive people and not been ill in the slightest. This whole isolate/lockdown/vaccine position has been complete folly. Herd immunity would have solved this issue in a single season and we would not be in this financial mess. Imperial College have a lot to answer for as it was them and in particular, Neil ferguson who the UK and subsequent governments listened to and switched from herd immunity to scaremongering and lockdowns. Utter shambles ! Reply T Ferguson 2 March 2022 - 12:05 Why have we unvaccinated to get tested ?, myself and my Wife got the virus given to us by fully vaccinated sister in law, and both have natural immunity.Vaccinated can still catch it and spread it, its common knowledge now that the vaccines wear off. There is no logic in this discrimination, we supported Greece the last two years we Holidayed three times in Crete and once in Kos, it cost us hundreds of pounds for tests, but we wanted to support our friends. But we are thinking enough is enough, the virus has gone, should be no need to get tested, do you test for the Flu, it simply discrimination, we are not anti vax but anti getting injected with a trial vaccine that has killed thousands and injured millions, with more to come inthe years ahead. Reply LM 2 March 2022 - 23:54 I think you are correct and proof of recovery should be valid for longer than 6 months but ‘killed thousands and injured millions’? – please provide evidence that has been published in a credible scienfic journal to confirm this. Reply Kontodimos dimitri 4 March 2022 - 13:34 Stop imposing vaccination or testing requirements for children above 5! Greece is the only country in the Eu doing so. EU recommends on their website no restrictions for children under 12 ! Reply Afke Margalliti toren 2 March 2022 - 11:37 Great!!Hope we have a wonderfull sensor in Greece….healthy and joyfull Reply Leave a Reply to Johnson Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ
