Greece to scrap all Covid travel restrictions this week ahead of summer holidays

Greece will be scrapping all remaining Covid travel restrictions this week in a last-minute attempt to boost tourism.

From May 1st, all arrivals in Greece will no longer be required to provide evidence of vaccination, recovery from Covid, or a test to enter the country, regardless of their vaccination status. 

Brits will no longer need to present a Covid vaccination certificate to enter bars, restaurants and other attractions either.

Face mask rules are also expected to be relaxed by June. 

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Last month, Greece also scrapped the requirement for Passenger Locator Forms, making it easier for Brits to travel to the country.

However, the lifting of these measures will be re-evaluated in September – after the peak tourist season – and could be reintroduced if cases spike.

Minister of Health Thanos Plevris said in a statement: “According to the epidemiological data and the suggestions of the experts, we are announcing the roadmap for the de-escalation of the measures against the Covid-19 pandemic.

“All measures will be reviewed on September 1st, depending on the picture of the pandemic.”

Greece is one of the first countries to drop all Covid travel requirements for tourists this summer, with other popular destinations still requiring proof of vaccination status or Covid recovery.

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In Spain, holidaymakers will need to show proof of either being fully vaccinated or having recently recovered from Covid.

To be considered as fully vaccinated, travellers will need to have completed a full vaccination course at least fourteen days before travel – if they completed this nine months before travelling to Spain, they will need a booster jab to qualify as fully vaccinated.

Though Spain did recently ease its restrictions on unvaccinated teenagers aged between twelve and seventeen, who now only require a negative Covid test rather than a vaccination certificate.

They have also dropped a number of other restrictions such as mask wearing outdoors.