Greece Post-Pandemic: Updates on Travel Restrictions

For the first time in, possibly forever, tourists weren't able to enjoy their summer vacations in beautiful Greece last year. 2020 was the year of the Covid-19 pandemic, one that infected and has taken the lives of millions and forced countries to close their borders. Greece, of course, was one of them. Since at one point during 2020, Europe became the epicenter of the disease, the country followed suit in going on lockdown and banning travel from all around the world. Now, however, in 2021, things are finally looking up! Here are the latest updates on Greece's travel restrictions this year.

According to a report by SchengenInfo Visa, Greece has already opened its borders and eased up its travel restrictions to a select number of countries back in April. Known as the EU's 'safe list,' these are non-EU countries that join member-states that Greece has now allowed to enter the country. They include citizens from Australia, Israel, New Zealand, Russia, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the UAE, the US, the UK, and more. Travellers coming from those countries don't have to undergo strict health protocols upon arrival provided they show proof of vaccination or tested negative at least 72 hours prior to their trip.

Moreover, Forbes magazine also reports that, by May 14, 2021, all travellers coming from non-EU countries will now be allowed to enter Greece without further travel restrictions. Upon arrival, they will no longer be required to self-isolate for quarantine. Again, provided that they show proof of vaccination or have tested negative for Covid-19 at least 72 hours prior to their trip. Also, travellers coming to and from Greece will be required to fill up Passenger Locator Forms (PLF) before entering and leaving the country. In these forms, they will have to divulge certain details such as your address in the country, duration of stays in other countries, and the like.

The timing couldn't be more perfect either since summer is just around the corner and Greece has reopened its organized beaches during the first week of May 2021. According to Reuters, the country hopes to revive its tourism after more than a year in lockdown banned tourists from all over the world. 'We're pinning our hopes on tourism. We're one of the places along the Athens riviera ... that receives many tourists so the number of visitors from abroad will play a big role in our finances,' shared Nikos Venieris, manager of a beach in Alimos, Greece.

Furthermore, by June 2021, the EU would have already fully implemented the Digital Green Certificates, a new vaccine passport system that allows free travel within the region. This new electronic document will see as proof that the traveller has either been vaccinated, tested negative, or has recovered from Covid-19. Alongside Schengen Visas and valid passports, the Digital Green Certificates are what will allow travellers from non-EU countries to enter Europe. Greece, along with fellow EU member-states, are hoping that this new system will further revive the continent's tourism just in time for summer 2021.

Greece, which was once the go-to summer destination for the world's elite travellers, became practically a ghost town during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Now, in 2021, the country seeks to revive its tourism by reopening its borders to the world!

Don't forget that once Greece finally reopens, you'll get to enjoy staying in the luxury homes here again! Are you excited?