Entry Travel restrictions due to COVID-19

Due to the current situation we all face, new restrictions occur every day.

Please find below specific updates per country, as they are provided to us by the Official Authorities of each country:

Due to constant changes on the updates, passengers are strongly advised to either contact their Embassy and/or visit the official websites of the Official Authorities in every country they would like to travel from/to and IATA (https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm), before their flight.

Greece (Domestic flights)

COVID-19 measures

Travel within Greece

As of 14/05/2021, all passengers on domestic flights to island destinations must meet ΟΝΕ of the following requirements:

  • have completed at least fourteen (14) days of vaccination for COVID-19 and present a vaccination certificate, which has been issued through the official website (https://www.gov.gr/ipiresies/ugeia-kai-pronoia/koronoios-covid-19/pistopoietiko-emboliasmou). In the case of foreigners from abroad, have completed at least fourteen days (14) the vaccination for COVID-19 and present a vaccination certificate in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian or Russian, issued by a public authority in accordance with the relevant legislation. The vaccination certificate includes the name of the person, the type of vaccine given and the number of doses.
  • have a negative COVID-19 test with a PCR test performed within the last seventy-two (72) hours prior to the scheduled travel time or with a rapid antigen test within the last twenty-four (24) hours before the scheduled travel time. In the case of foreigners from abroad, they can provide a negative test certificate in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian or Russian.
  • have been diagnosed negative in a self-test within twenty-four (24) hours before the scheduled travel time and is certified with a relevant certificate displayed on paper. The certification of the result will be done through the declaration of self-test result certification for COVID-19 (https://self-testing.gov.gr/covid19-self-test-print.pdf).
  • to present proof of recovery from COVID-19, valid as of two months after positive PCR or antigen test up to 9 months.
  • These travel restrictions concern Domestic travel - Terrestrial to Islands Regions οnly.

The negative diagnosis of the control by the method of PCR and rapid test is proved by the demonstration of a relevant certificate in printed or electronic form. If these tests have been carried out abroad and are valid at the time of boarding the aircraft, the relevant certificates are accepted under the same conditions under which they were allowed to enter Greece.

The above obligations concern minors from twelve (12) years and over.

Further Info: Arriving and departing passengers on flights scheduled within the night ban must provide as proof their ticket or other evidence regarding their flight time schedule, in the case that the authorities requests for it.

Greece (International flights)

Passengers who are allowed to enter the country

Attention: Please be advised that it is compulsory for all passengers on international flights to fill in and submit the Passenger Locator Form (https://travel.gov.gr/) electronically, latest the day before their arrival.

Following recent announcements by the Greek Government, entrance is allowed to passengers:

  • with nationality from EU countries and members of their family,
  • with nationality from Schengen countries and members of their family,
  • permanent residents of Australia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, The United Arab Emirates, The United Kingdom, The United States Of America, Canada, Belarus, Bahrain, Serbia, The Russian Federation, Israel, Rwanda, Qatar, China, Kuwait, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia and Singapore,
  • healthcare professionals and health researchers designated to support the Hellenic national healthcare system,
  • third-country citizens who are long-term residents or long-term visa holders of an EU or Schengen member state,
  • third-country government members, diplomats, staff of international organizations, military personnel and humanitarian aid workers in the exercise of their duties,
  • in transit,
  • aircraft flight crew,
  • non-EU or non-Schengen citizens travelling for imperative family or business reasons, provided that the relevant authorization has been obtained by the Hellenic consulate.

COVID-19 measures

Passengers travelling on international flights to Greece must meet ONE of the below criteria:

  • Display a negative molecular test (PCR) for COVID-19 up to 72 hours before arrival or a negative Rapid Antigen for COVID-19 test up to 48 hours before arrival. The certificate must be in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian or Russian, properly issued, in accordance with the relevant legislation. OR
  • Hold a certificate of vaccination. The certificate must be in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, language, issued by a Public authority, provided that the vaccination was completed at least 14 days before arrival to Greece. The vaccination certificate must include the name of the passenger, the type of vaccine administered and the number of doses. OR
  • Have a proof of recovery from COVID-19 valid as of two months after positive PCR or Antigen test up to nine months. The proof must be either in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian or Russian, properly issued, in accordance with the relevant legislation. OR
  • By holding EU digital COVID certificate issued accordingly to EU requirements in digital or paper form with the following conditions:
    • Having completed the vaccination for COVID-19 with any of the E.U. approved vaccine, providing that the last dose has been completed at least 14 days before scheduled arrival in Greece.
    • Having tested negative with a Covid-19 molecular PCR or Antigen test (performed by taking oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal smear, up to 72 hours before the scheduled arrival).
    • Having recovered from COVID-19 disease, valid as of two months after positive PCR or Antigen test up to nine months.

Please note that the above time restrictions must always be followed.

Regarding permanent residents of Montenegro, entrance to Greece is permitted under the condition that they have completed a) the vaccination for COVID-19 at least fourteen (14) days before scheduled arrival and b) display a negative molecular test (PCR) for COVID-19, performed by taking an oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal smear, up to 72 hours before the scheduled arrival.

It is compulsory for all passengers on international flights to fill in and submit the Passenger Locator Form(https://travel.gov.gr/) electronically, latest the day before their arrival.

Passengers will be subjected to random COVID-19 diagnostic rapid tests upon arrival. Passenger may continue to their final destination. If found positive, a 10-day quarantine under supervision is required either at home or at a designated temporary residence assigned by the appropriate authorities. Passengers having completed COVID-19 vaccination at least fourteen (14) days before arrival and tested positive to COVID-19, are required to quarantine for seven (7) days. All above passengers are required to undertake a molecular test (PCR) for COVID-19 on the last day of their quarantine.

The above obligations concern minors from twelve (12) years and over.

Required documents

Passenger Locator Form (PLF)

Passengers arriving to Greece (incoming passengers):

  • It is compulsory for all incoming passengers on international flights to fill in the PLF published at https://travel.gov.gr/, the previous day before the flight.
  • Administrative fine may be applied by the Hellenic Civil Protection, in case the PLF is not filled in.
  • Passengers will receive a QR code which will be used by the Hellenic Civil Protection for the identification of Random COVID-19 test upon arrival.
  • Passengers must hold and be able to demonstrate to the authorities, the QR code on an electronic or printed format, upon arrival.
  • In Case a passenger fails to fill the PLF and does not have either a proof of PLF or the QR code, will be denied boarding.
  • Urgent cases for travelling falling in the period of less than 24 hours prior flight, will be examined by Hellenic Authorities per case and acceptance or rejection will be notified to applicants through an email message. Airline are required to check the existence of such a confirmation e-mail prior passenger acceptance for boarding
  • The PLF Process is a process of the Official Authorities of the Greek Government and the General Secretariat for Civil Protection. For any questions regarding the completion and dispatch of the QR code, please contact the Official Authorities.
  • Further Info

Arriving and departing passengers on flights scheduled within the night ban must provide as proof their ticket or other evidence regarding their flight time schedule, in the case that the authorities requests for it.

Passenger Locator Form (PLF) for international arrivals to Greece

We would like to inform you that based on the Greek Government’s decision, it is compulsory for all incoming (regardless of nationality) passengers arriving to Greece to have completed the special Passenger Locator Form (PLF) (https://travel.gov.gr/), latest the day before departure flight.
Passengers arriving to Greece (incoming passengers regardless of nationality)

It is compulsory for all incoming passengers on international flights to fill in the Passenger Locator Form (https://travel.gov.gr/), the previous day before the flight.

  • It is imperative that all passengers complete the PLF, otherwise they will be denied boarding.
  • If the PLF is not completed, an administrative fine may be applied by the Hellenic Civil Protection.
  • Passengers will receive a QR code which will be used by the Hellenic Civil Protection for the identification of random COVID-19 test upon arrival.
  • Passengers must hold and be able to demonstrate to the authorities, the QR code on an electronic or printed format, upon arrival.
  • If a passenger fails to complete the PLF and does not have either a proof of PLF or the QR code, they will be denied boarding.
  • Urgent cases for travelling falling in the period of less than 24 hours prior flight, will be assessed by Hellenic Authorities per case and acceptance or rejection will be notified to applicants through an email message.
  • The airline is required to check the confirmation email prior to passenger acceptance for boarding

Upon arrival in Greece

  • All incoming passengers (regardless of nationality) from international flights are checked and subject to random COVID-19 test by the Hellenic Civil protection personnel, in predefined areas at the arrivals of each airport, according to their QR Code.
  • If the COVID-19 tests are positive, the Hellenic Government Health Services will inform the passengers and instruct them to follow a supervised 14 days quarantine.
  • Following the random checks, passengers will be free to travel to their final destination or residence.
  • International to domestic connecting passengers will be randomly checked to COVID-19 test (as per QR code) and then will proceed to Security Control and their departing gate for their final destination where they will have to compulsory self-isolate until the testing outcome is available.
  • If due to the diagnostic test process, the passenger is delayed and as a result fails to board to the next connecting flight, then the passenger will automatically be transferred to the next available flight for the final destination.
  • International to international transfer passengers will not go through a COVID-19 test, nor do they need to complete the PLF and will proceed directly to Security Control and on to their departing gate.
  • Administrative Fines (Hellenic Government) apply to passengers not holding the electronic form - QR code.
  • Passengers are requested to remain in temporary address/hotel, until the COVID-19 test results are published.

The PLF Process is a process of the Official Authorities of the Greek Government and the General Secretariat for Civil Protection. For any questions regarding the completion and dispatch of the QR code, please contact the Official Authorities.

Russia

Passengers who are allowed to enter the country

  • Nationals of the Russian Federation and their family members,
  • permanent residents of the Russian Federation,
  • nationals & residents from the following countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, Germany, Greece, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea (Rep.), Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Qatar, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Venezuela or Vietnam departing from any of the listed countries.
  • accredited or appointed employees of diplomatic missions, consular offices, international organizations located in Russian Federation and their family members,
  • members of official delegations,
  • passengers who will enter Russia as highly skilled sports professionals or participate in sports activities in Russia.

Note: Passengers, who travel to Belarus are not considered as transit.

COVID-19 measures

Foreign citizens travelling to the Russian Federation, including passengers in transit, upon check-in and boarding must submit a medical certificate in Russian or in English showing a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, obtained not earlier than 72 hours before arrival in the Russian Federation.

Notes:

  • If it is not possible to submit the medical certificate in Russian or in English, it may be submitted in the official language of the country where the issuing organization is registered, accompanied by a Russian translation certified by a consular official of the Russian Federation.
  • Antibody test results and any other test results except for PCR tests cannot be used to confirm the absence of COVID-19 infection for the specified purposes.
  • Passengers who cannot present a certificate will be denied carriage.
  • The certificate must include the following information:
    • Name of the passenger.
    • Date of birth of the passenger.
    • Exact date and time of collection of the biological material.
    • It must be indicated that the test was carried out using the PCR method and that the result is negative.
    • The certificate must contain the name and seal of the issuing organization.

Russian citizens arriving in the Russian Federation on international flights must within three (3) days from their arrival conduct and upload the results of a COVID-19 PCR test to the Unified Public Services Portal (https://www.gosuslugi.ru/). While waiting for the results of the COVID-19 PCR test, passengers must self-isolate at their place of residence/temporary stay.

Required documents

All passengers (including Russians) must fill in the Application form provided by the crew.

Before arriving at the airport

Ellinair would like to inform prospective passengers of the travel restrictions for passengers who may be COVID-19 positive and/or who may have COVID-19-compatible symptoms before arriving at the departure airport and notify them not to proceed to the airport regardless of their vaccination status or whether they have recovered from COVID-19 , unless they have a negative RADT or RT-PCR performed within the last 24 hours. self-administered tests are not acceptable.

Wherever exit thermal screening at the destination airport is performed according to national regulations, symptomatic passengers identified at the airport by the national public health authorities may be refused permission to continue their journey. Ellinair is strongly encourage symptomatic passengers not to fly(In that case passenger may be offered a cost-free rebooking or refund of the flight, if Ellinair is informed before departure of the suspicion of COVID-19 and on the basis of a doctor’s certificate).

Ellinair would like to inform passengers that the use of face masks is strictly recommended/or mandatory according to national regulations, at the airport and on board with some exceptions described in section Q.1 below).

In order to reduce contact with airport staff and infrastructure, Ellinair encourage passengers as much as possible to complete the check-in process before arriving at the airport using online check-in, mobile or printed boarding pass and where possible off-airport baggage tagging.

At the airport

How much time before the departure of my flight should I arrive at the airport?

All airports follow protective measures and procedures for COVID-19. That is why we recommend to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight. However, this is an appropriate time of arrival and the company is not responsible for any delays due to the airport procedures.

What should we know about the procedures for COVID-19 upon our arrival?

The procedures for COVID-19 upon arrival are performed exclusively by the Authorities once you have arrived at the country of your destination.

For information about arrivals in Greece, you can contact EODY by calling +0030 210 5212000.

On board

Q1.Is it mandatory to wear a mask on board?

The use of the face mask is mandatory for all passengers except infants (0-2 years). For children up to 6 years, the use of face mask is optional. You are allowed to remove the face mask so that you can drink water or consume the offered meal. This process must be as short as possible so that you and your co-passengers can feel safe and secure. Please make sure you bring your own mask as you will need to wear it, from check in up until after your disembarkation at your destination as well as during the flight. Gloves are not obligatory.

Please note that visor masks are allowed only if they are used in combination with a mask. Ffp2 and ffp3 high respiratory protection masks with valve are not allowed since they filter the inhale air and not the exhale air.

Q2.If there is a health problem and it is not possible to use the mask, what applies?

The use of the mask is mandatory during the flight; however you are allowed to remove it so that you can drink water or consume the offered snack. It is recommended that this process be as short as possible so that you and your co-passengers feel safe and secure. It is noted that passengers with certain medical conditions, who need special care during the flight, as well as passengers who are in the postoperative period may need to provide the special medical information form (MEDIF). The form is completed by the passenger's treating physician, includes information about the patient's health condition, and certifies his or her ability to travel.

ACKNOWLEDGE OF ELLINAIR COVID-19 POLICY

Passengers should receive information about COVID-19 symptoms and the risk of possible contact with COVID-19 cases and be requested to acknowledge reading this information and sign or electronically authenticate an acknowledgement. This should be done in advance of the flight, prior to the arrival at the airport during the online check-in process or via a text message (SMS) link or other acceptable means. Passengers should be made aware of the consequences of making a false statement.

A Sample of an acknowledgment of Ellinair COVID-19 policy prior to the arrival at the airport during the online check-in process or via a text message (SMS) link or other means acceptable to the national authorities, is presented below.

This statement applies for each individual passenger in a booking for more than one person.

In particular, I understand that I shall not go to the airport, if any of the following applies:

  • I have been diagnosed with COVID-19 at any time during the 10days prior to my flight.
  • I have had any of the COVID-19 relevant symptoms (fever; newly developed cough; loss of taste or smell; shortness of breath) at any time during the 10days prior to my flight.
  • I am aware of having been in close contact (e.g. less than 2 meters for more than 15 minutes) with a person who was diagnosed with COVID-19 in the 14 days prior to my flight.
  • I am required by local or national regulations to be in quarantine for reasons related to COVID-19 for a period that includes the date of the fight.

In case any of the above situations applies, I shall contact Ellinair at the latest 4 hours before the flight. I understand that if any of the above 4 situations is identified at the airport, I may be refused to proceed with my travel and lose my right to benefit from any COVID-19 commercial policy put in place by Ellinair.

In case you need medical information on COVID-19, please contact National Public Health Organization of origin Country.