Greece

• Travel Information
• Excursions
• Sample Itinerary
• Testimonials

All travel information to be used for guidance purposes only

GENERAL INFORMATION

Language: Greek. English is widely spoken
Electricity: 220V AC 50Hz
International Direct Dialling Code: 30
Driving: Driving is on the right. EU driving licence valid for 1 year. Minimum driving age is 18
Currency:  Euro (EUR 1 = 100 Cents)
Business/Social Hints: Many executives speak a second language. At meetings Greek coffee will be offered. People often use gestures when speaking. Head nodding or up and down movement may indicate - no. Smoking is generally accepted but is restricted in public buildings and on public transport. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants, be reasonably punctual and dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. The minimum drinking age is 18 years
Public Holidays: 2011
1 Jan New Year's Day, 6 Jan Epiphany, 7 Mar Orthodox Shrove Monday, 25 Mar Independence Day, 22 Apr Orthodox Good Friday, 25 Apr Orthodox Easter Monday, 1 May Labor Day, 13 Jun Orthodox Whit Monday, 15 Aug Assumption, 28 Oct Ochi Day, 25 Dec Christmas Day, 26 Dec Boxing Day.
Emergency Services: Police: 100 (all large cities), 109 (Athens suburbs), 171 (Tourist Police). Fire: 199 (Athens). Ambulance: 166
Clothing: Lightweights during summer with light sweaters for evenings, mediumweights with rainwear for winter although heavyweights may be required for the north

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Recommended immunisations: tickborne encephalitis (Thessaloniki), and Hepatitis A are recommended in some circumstances. Check with GP for specific details. Check travellers have up to date tetanus & polio immunisations. Participant of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC scheme) which allows visitors on short-term stays to other member countries to use the public health care sector for free or reduced-cost medical treatment and emergency care.

PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION

Passport General: Required, but NOT by the following:
1) Holders of ID Cards issued to nationals of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden & Switzerland
Passport Notes:
1) Holders of passports expired a maximum of 5 years issued to nationals of Austria, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain & Switzerland are accepted
2) Holders of passports and ID cards expired a maximum of 1 year issued to nationals of Germany are accepted
Passport Validity:
1) Passport and/or passport replacement documents must be valid for at least 3 months after period of stay intended for non-EEA
2) EEA-Nationals are exempt from the above rule although the passport must have validity for the intended period of stay.
Visa General:
The following DO NOT require a visa:
1) Nationals of Greece
2) For an unrestricted length of stay by:
a) Holders of passports issued by Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland Rep, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Sweden & Switzerland
3) For tourist stays up to 3 months by:
a) Nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (S.A.R passports), Iceland, Israel, Japan, Korea (South), Liechtenstein, Macao (S.A.R. passports), Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City & Venezuela
b) Holders of British passports endorsed British Citizen, British National (Overseas) or British Overseas Territories Citizen (containing the ‘right of abode’ label issued by the UK)
Visa Notes:
1) British passport holders intending to stay longer than 3 months must apply for a residence permit to the appropriate office.
Visa Special Notes:
1) All visitors must hold sufficient funds for length of stay, it is also recommended that visitors hold onward/return tickets, except nationals of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland Rep, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden & United Kingdom
2) Member of Schengen Visa Agreement, however we strongly recommend that travellers make enquiries prior to travel with the appropriate embassies of the countries within the agreement which they plan to visit