The Greek Ministry of Health has officially confirmed that the country will lift its entry restrictions for all incoming travellers.

The ministry revealed in a press release issued earlier today that the expert committee had recommended that Greece suspend the COVID Pass requirement from May 1, reports SchengenVisaInfo.com.

In accordance with the new recommendation made by the Committee, all travelers, regardless of their country of origin, will soon be able to enter Greece without being required to present a valid vaccination, recovery or test certificate.

In addition, everyone will also be exempted from having to present one of the passes while in the country, as Greece has also decided to facilitate national measures against COVID-19.

Confusion caused as some media reported that entry measures would not be dropped

Confusion has been created among travelers after Greece’s National Tourism Organization claimed the country would not drop its entry rules from May, despite the health minister saying Greece would end current protective measures.

Earlier this month, on April 12, Greek Health Minister Thanos Plevris told local Greek media that the country would suspend current measures against COVID-19 from May 1.

Such a statement by the Minister of Health was interpreted by all, including international and local media, as a decision to lift all remaining restrictions.

Following the minister’s statement, it was reported that Greece will no longer require travelers to present COVID proof – a vaccination, recovery or test certificate – upon arrival.

However, confusion was sparked after the GNTO said Greece would not lift its entry rules on Sunday.

A spokesperson for the Greek National Tourism Organization told The Independent that there was no indication that travel rules for entering Greece would change on May 1.

According to them, when the Minister of Health said that the measures would be suspended, he meant that Greece would only ease some of its national restrictions related to COVID-19.

So far, all travelers have been required to present a vaccination or recovery certificate or a negative COVID-19 test result taken recently in order to be allowed to enter Greece.

Greece currently only accepts vaccination cards which prove that the holder has completed vaccination within the last nine months or received a booster shot. In contrast, recovery passes are only recognized if the document proves that the holder has recovered from the virus within the past six months.

Regarding testing, Greece accepts both PCR and rapid antigen tests. The PCR must be done within 72 hours before arrival and the rapid antigen test must be done within 24 hours before arrival.

Previously, the country lifted the requirement to complete the passenger locator form.

Most national restrictions to be removed

According to Greek media, from May 1, it will no longer be necessary to present a COVID Pass to access the various public places and events. This means that travelers and Greek citizens will now be able to access restaurants, cafes, bars, shopping malls, museums and other major events without having to present a vaccination, recovery or test certificate.

Additionally, it was explained that the requirement to wear a face mask will also be removed. The authorities explained that wearing a mask would no longer be compulsory from June 1. However, the exceptions still need to be clarified.

All other measures, including those applying to travellers, should be reviewed in September.