Laws, Regulations & Policy

In view of increasing refugee flows, the European Commission is proposing an upgrade to its Visa Information System (VIS).

Non-EU travelers will be required to hold an International Driving Permit together with a valid national driver’s license if they wish to rent vehicles in Greece.

The Greek finance ministry is moving full speed ahead with the lease of public beaches for business use, completing over 90 online auctions thus far.

The Hellenic Chamber of Hotels welcomed proposals for the reduction of VAT rates for hotels in Europe, during the recent general assembly of HOTREC in Austria.

HOTREC, the umbrella association of hotels, restaurants and cafés in Europe, welcomed a proposal by the European Commission aiming to ensure transparency for online platforms.

ETIAS, a new EU regulation that will include advanced checks, is on a path to apply to visa-free third country nationals wanting to travel in the Schengen area.

Flyers can now demand compensation of up to 600 euros from airlines even in cases of strike or delay, according to a decision by Europe’s highest court.

The first Airbnb owners, who failed to declare their earnings from home-sharing practices, were recently uncovered by Greece’s Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE).

The UNWTO called on world leaders to consider including tourism in their agenda, during the 8th Meeting of Tourism Ministers of the G20 Economies.

Greece will leave bailout programs behind and move ahead with growth under surveillance, according to European Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici.

In efforts to tackle terrorism, the European Commission plans to table a proposal that all EU identification cards include fingerprinting.

A visa facilitation program, which allows Turkish travelers and citizens of third countries to visit Eastern Aegean islands in Greece, will run in 2018.

The European Union has announced the launch of a 2.1-billion-euro venture plan to boost investment in Europe’s innovative startups.

The EU’s top court has ruled that France can press criminal charges against Uber’s local managers for running an illegal taxi service.

The “stayover tax” in Greece will also be charged to short-day hotel stays and overnights at Airbnb-style rentals that offer additional hospitality services.

The Central Archaeological Council (KAS) has turned down a request by BBC to film its “The Little Drummer Girl” series at the Poseidon Temple in Sounion.

Regency Entertainment is scrapping the entrance fee to the Regency Casino Mont Parnes and Regency Casino Thessaloniki in Greece.

The European Commission proposed legislation that will make cross-border payments in euros cheaper across the EU, aiming to facilitate trade.

The Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) welcomed the national general labor agreement signed with the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE).

Despite boasting the world’s 9th largest coastline with 90% of its tourism and recreation business there, Greece lacks a maritime spatial planning framework, according to SEV.