Travel Plans: Canadians Visiting Greece - Allowed?

As of July 2020, Greece had not included Canada on its 'white list' of countries from which holidaymakers could enter. However, as of July 2021, Canadians were allowed to enter Greece by air, land or sea, with certain requirements. As of April 2022, Canadians no longer need to present a negative COVID-19 test before travelling back to Canada.

What are the entry requirements for Canadians?

Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter Greece, as it is a Schengen area country. However, visa-free travel only applies to stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. If you plan to stay longer, you will need to apply for a visa.

To enter Greece, Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date they expect to leave the Schengen area.

As of February 12th, 2022, travellers from Canada are permitted to enter Greece under the condition that they display one of the following:

• Vaccination certificate (for those who have completed vaccination for COVID-19 at least fourteen days before arrival) valid for nine months after the completion of the basic vaccination and without time limit for travellers who have received the booster dose. The vaccination certificate must include the full name of the traveller as registered in the passport, the type of vaccine given, the number of doses and inoculation dates.
• Proof of recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection, issued 14 days after the day of the first positive COVID-19 test (PCR or Rapid Antigen test) and valid for 180 days thereafter.
• Negative molecular test for COVID-19 (PCR) performed up to 72 hours before the scheduled arrival, or negative Rapid Antigen test performed up to 24 hours before the scheduled arrival.

The obligation to fill and submit a Passenger Locator Form remains in effect. Details and updates regarding entry requirements to Greece are regularly posted on the official governmental portal travel.gov.gr.

What tests are required before and after travelling to Greece?

Testing requirements for travel to Greece have changed over time, and they differ depending on where travellers are coming from. As of July 2020, all of Greece's airports were accepting flights from all places except those that were still seriously affected by COVID-19 based on European Union guidelines. Canada was on the list of countries that travel restrictions should be lifted for, and Canadians were able to fly to Greece again. However, it is important to note that travel restrictions and testing requirements can change at any time, and it is always advisable to check for the most up-to-date information before travelling.

Before travelling to Greece, Canadians must fill out a Passenger Locator Form at least 48 hours before flying in. This form requires details such as the traveller's origin, how long they have stayed in other countries before arriving, and their address in Greece. Additionally, there may be COVID-19 testing requirements in place at the airports, as well as mask mandates and physical distancing guidelines.

As of March 7th, 2022, there were mandatory testing requirements for entry into Greece. All travellers, regardless of their nationality, had to present a negative PCR test within the last 72 hours or a negative rapid test within 24 hours before their arrival. However, travellers coming from the USA, Australia, or Canada were exempt from these testing requirements and could enter Greece by presenting one of the following documents:

• A vaccination certificate valid for 9 months after completing the basic vaccination, with no time limit for travellers who have received the booster dose.
• A certificate of illness lasting up to 180 days.
• A certificate of a negative PCR or rapid test result within the specified time frames before arrival.

Upon arrival in Greece, rapid or PCR tests were carried out on all international passengers, and those who tested positive were required to quarantine for 5 days.

For returning to Canada, as of May 28, 2022, the United States still required all international air passengers to present a negative coronavirus test taken within one day of departure. However, it is important to note that this information may not be up to date, and travellers should always consult official sources for the most current testing requirements and travel restrictions.

What are the quarantine rules?

As of July 2020, Greece had not included Canada on its 'white list' of countries whose citizens could enter without quarantining. However, as of 2021, Canadians were allowed to enter Greece without needing to quarantine.

To enter Greece, travellers needed to have a vaccination certificate, a negative PCR test taken up to 72 hours before travelling, a negative antigen rapid test taken up to 48 hours before travelling, or proof that they had COVID-19 in the previous 30 to 180 days. All visitors also had to complete a Passenger Locator Form at least 24 hours before travelling to Greece.

Upon arrival, targeted testing could be performed if necessary. The Greek government also covered the expenses of hospitalisation for travellers who became infected with COVID-19.

What are the vaccination requirements?

As of February 2022, Greece has dropped all COVID-19 testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers from Canada. This means that Canadian citizens visiting Greece must present a vaccination certificate indicating the full course of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine for travel, taken no later than 270 days before travel. A booster dose of the vaccine will extend the validity of the certificate beyond the 270-day period.

Unvaccinated travellers from Canada must present either a negative PCR test taken no later than 72 hours before their departure to Greece or a negative antigen test taken within 24 hours of their arrival in Greece.

All travellers to Greece, regardless of their vaccination status or country of origin, must complete a Passenger Locator Form at least 48 hours before flying into the country. This form requires travellers to include details about their origin, the length of their stay in other countries before arriving in Greece, and the address of their accommodation in Greece.

What are the in-country restrictions?

As of July 1, 2020, Canadians are allowed to travel to Greece. However, there are several in-country restrictions in place that travellers should be aware of.

Firstly, all travellers to Greece must fill out a Passenger Locator Form at least 48 hours before their flight. This form requires details such as the countries visited before arriving in Greece, the duration of stay in those countries, and the address of your accommodation in Greece.

Upon arrival in Greece, there are protocols in place such as COVID-19 testing at the airports, mandatory mask-wearing, and physical distancing.

In addition, Greece has recently announced an array of measures to curb the negative effects of overtourism, particularly on its islands. These measures include limits on daily cruise ship arrivals, increases in docking and passenger fees for cruises, and the introduction of a fee of up to €20 per passenger for visits to the most popular islands.

There are also new taxes and exemptions related to lodging and short-term rentals. A climate crisis tax has been introduced for hotel stays and short-term rentals from April to October, with revenues going towards improving infrastructure in tourist areas. In Athens, a year-long ban on new short-term rentals has been implemented in three areas, and a lodging tax paid by hotels and rental accommodations on the islands has been increased. Owners who offer long-term leases, on the other hand, will be exempt from paying rental taxes for three years.

These measures aim to reduce the strain on communities and infrastructure caused by the influx of tourists, and to address concerns about the uncontrolled surge of visitors, rising real estate prices, and the impact on the environment.

Frequently asked questions