Useful Information

Below you will find useful general information for your trip to Greece. In order to get to know some things and to prepare yourself better so that you don’t face any particular difficulties, I suggest you read to them…

Good to know before you leave

 Documents

Passports

EU citizens do not need a passport to travel to Greece but only an identity card. For non-EU citizens a passport is required. It would be best to have a photocopy or an electronic copy, so that in case of loss you can re-issue it more easily by contacting first the police and your home embassy.  In case you need more info you may contact the consular service of your country in Greece. You can find it here: https://www.mfa.gr/en/appendix/greece-bilateral-relations/a.html

Visas

All citizens of foreign countries, except for the countries of the European Union, the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, need a visa to enter Greece. For more information, contact the Greek National Tourist Offices in your country or go to your embassy in Greece.  You can find it here: https://www.mfa.gr/en/appendix/greece-bilateral-relations/a.html

IDs

A passport can serve as an ID. Apart from the official identity card of your country, another form of identification is the driving license.

Animals ‘documents

Animals need a valid health certificate to enter Greece. Kindly contact your vet and the Greek Embassy in your country to be informed about the documents you need to have with you. You can find it here: https://www.mfa.gr/en/appendix/greece-bilateral-relations/a.html

Formalities

Tickets

Book online in advance your tickets for archaeological places, museums, sightseeing, etc. through the following website: https://hhticket.gr/tap_b2c_new/english/tap.exe?PM=P1N or from here: http://odysseus.culture.gr/index_en.html

Power – Electricity

Electricity is 220-240V. If you have any other, you will need a transformer.

Plug types C and F are used in Greece, with a 230V supply voltage and a frequency of 50Hz. Round 2 pin plugs are used. North American visitors will need a converter and British visitors an adaptor. Some hotels may be able to provide these adaptors, otherwise you can buy them at the airport or electrical supply stores.

Cellular Networks

GSM with 3G and 4G, nowadays in some places they have installed 5G too.

Time

Greece has only one time zone and uses the Eastern European Time (EET) UTC+02:00.

Working hours

Banks and Public Services operate from 08:00 to 14:00, Monday to Friday. The shops are usually open Monday-Wednesday- Saturday from 09:00 am to 15:00 pm and Tuesday-Thursday-Friday from 09:00 am to 14:00 pm and 17:00 pm to 21:00 pm. On these three days of the week, shops close for the siesta at noon and open again in the afternoon. In the touristy areas, during the high season, most shops stay open all day long, from early morning till late evening. City malls also remain open until the late evening hours. A small number of 24-hour shops are also available in the big cities and islands. Banks, Post offices and all other public services operate Monday to Friday starting from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Money in Greece

In Greece the Euro has been used since 2004, as we belong to the EU. You can always use your card for payments but always carry cash with you as you may encounter cases where you will be asked to pay only in cash. Most places have banks but in the small islands and villages there are only ATMs. You can exchange your money at all banks. This service is provided at the reception desk in many hotels and airports too.

Health Informations & protections

If you are taking certain medications, you will need to take these medications with you, as they may not be available in Greece. You do not need to have a specific vaccine to enter the country.

E111 free health treatment for Europeans: The citizens of the European Union have the right to the E111 document which offers access to free health treatment in public hospitals of Greece. If you are traveling from another country except the EU, contact the social security agency in your country  for more information.

In Greece there are public hospitals which have good doctors and are well equipped in all the big cities, but often overcrowded. In smaller towns and villages you will find no hospitals but medical and health centers. Apart from public hospitals there are also private hospitals, which clearly provide better services but cost much more.

For Health instructions, to find out the laboratories & medical centers located in popular destinations please visit This site: https://eody.gov.gr/en/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-travellers/

Consumer’s protection

In case of Emergency these are the important numbers to call.

If you are going to phone from abroad dial the country code for Greece 0030.

Emergency  Numbers

• FIRST AID NATIONAL CENTER (Ambulances): 166
• SOS DOCTORS : 1016
• EUROPEAN EMERGENCY NUMBER: 112
• POISONING PHONE CENTER: 210 77 93 777
• FIRE AUTHORITY: 199
• POLICE: 100
• TOURIST POLICE: 1571
• Coast Guard: 108
• PET HOSPITAL: 210 6038023- 24 -28 (Attica Region).