Undoubtedly one of the world’s favourite holiday destinations, many of us will be delighted to hear that Greece will be opening its doors as of May 14th 2021 to tourism from many different destinations, albeit with certain COVID-related restrictions depending on where visitors are coming from. If you’ve been wondering, can I travel to Greece from the UK, the USA or the EU, read our guide below.
Let’s take a look – where can I travel to Greece from?
With its ancient monuments, idyllic islands and beautiful pristine beaches, it’s easy to fall in love with Greece. Whether you want to dive into the country’s ancient history, or stay up all night partying on golden sands, Greece has something for everyone.
Thanks to a thorough vaccination scheme, the local population of some 69 Aegean islands should be fully vaccinated and protected by May, ready to welcome tourists. This means that the stunning islands of Santorini or Mykonos could well be your dream 2021 summer destinations. However, travel in Greece will not be limited to these islands.
From which countries can we travel to Greece?
If you’re wondering, can I travel to Greece from the UK, the United States, the EU, or the UAE, the good news is that you can already visit Greece without having to quarantine on arrival, provided you have taken a negative PCR test within 72 hours before travel, or have proof of being fully vaccinated. The same measures apply to travellers from Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland.
Direct international flights can now enter Athens and the popular holiday destinations of Crete, Rhodes, Kos, Mykonos, Santorini and Corfu. Targeted rapid checks will be carried out at entry points, and quarantine hotels have been set up for anyone who tests positive.
For anyone wondering ‘can I travel to Greece from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea or Thailand’, quarantine restrictions still apply until May 14th 2021. However, it is thought that after this date tourists from these countries may be able to enjoy a quarantine-free holiday in Greece.
Arrivals from all other countries may only travel for essential reasons until future notice, and must quarantine for seven days at their hotel or home. Negative tests must also be taken 72 hours before arrival, and these must note the visitor’s passport number.
What formalities can I expect?
All travellers must complete a Passenger Locator Form, which contains a unique QR code to be scanned upon arrival, and this will show if you need to take an additional test at the airport. If you do, you must self-isolate until receiving the results, which should take around 24 hours.
Please note that only crewed yachts will be able to enter marinas on the mainland or in Rhodes, Heraklion and Corfu. Your crew will have to present a PCR test upon arrival and isolate for seven days before taking another test to disembark.
Can I visit cultural sites, visit boutiques and eat out in Greece?
A nationwide curfew is currently running from 19:00-05:00, starting two hours later at weekends. Hair salons and non-essential shops can welcome customers by appointment, and a number of archaeological sites, including the Acropolis in Athens, have reopened. Restaurants, bars and cafes will be open for outdoor dining. Masks are currently mandatory in public, both indoors and outdoors. You can island hop, stay in a resort, or rent a luxury villa, such as Paros Villas on Paros Island.
So if you’ve been wondering, can I travel to Greece from the UK, the USA, or the EU, the answer is yes! Why not book your charter today? Of course, while all information is correct at time of writing, it is always best to check with a professional yacht charter broker.
