Laws, Regulations & Policy

Consumers in Greece will be required as of January 1, 2018 to pay 8 cents per plastic bag as the country prepares to harmonize its relevant law with EU guidelines.

All laws and rules involving the Greek tourism sector, dating back to over 100 years, have been brought together and codified.

Four carriers from Nigeria, Ukraine and Zimbabwe were added to the revised EU Air Safety List, while all airlines from Benin and Mozambique were removed.

In efforts to tackle tax evasion particularly rampant in the summer months, Greek tax inspectors are making surprise “visits” at popular tourist areas.

The United Kingdom’s Foreign Office recently issued a travel advisory alerting British tourists about strike action in Greece.

A highly debated bill was passed in Greek parliament, which includes stringent austerity measures, such as pension cuts and a lower income tax threshold.

Greece’s new omnibus bill will help pave the way for investments in the country, according to Deputy Prime Minister Yiannis Dragasakis.

Shops in certain areas of Athens, Thessaloniki and Piraeus can remain open on all Sundays between May and October, according to a draft law.

A joint ministerial decision on a revised shoreline use law in Greece has been published in the Government Gazette ahead of the tourism season.

A bill to be voted on in Greek parliament is set to impose a 15-45 percent tax on annual income, earned from the short-term lease of property for tourism purposes.

A total of 48 million euros is estimated to go into Greek state coffers in 2018 according to a document released, revealing a set of 140 EU requirements Greece must …

Brexit is expected to have consequences on the Greek economy, with the most significant losses expected in tourism.

US and Canada nationals traveling to Europe will not need a visa due to the “significant progress achieved during the last year”, the European Commission said.

Austria, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway can phase out temporary controls currently in place at their internal Schengen borders over the next six months.

Greek authorities are seeking to make the visa process easier for Chinese nationals and to boost Greece-China connectivity to bring in more visitors.

Greece is aiming to attract a steadily growing number of American visitors, Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura informed US Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt.

Hotels, travel agencies and car hire businesses across Greece, have three months time to install POS (point-of-sale) devices enabling customers to pay by credit card or face penalties.