Greek authorities have extended temporary restrictions for travel through its land borders, according to a government decision published in the Government Gazette on Tuesday.
The restrictions, announced to limit the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19), will be in force until September 30.
Greece’s land borders, apart from Promachonas (the country’s northern border with Bulgaria), are open only for essential travel.
Necessary to have: Negative PCR test and PLF
– All people traveling through any of Greece’s border checkpoints (Promachonas, Kakavia, Krystallopigi, Evzoni, Nymfeas, Ormeni, Kipi, Exochi) must present to border controls a negative PCR test conducted in the country of departure, performed up to 72 hours before their arrival. The PCR tests must have taken place at reference laboratories of the country of origin or transit or at public or private laboratories of that country. If the laboratories are private, they must be certified by the competent national certification authority. The diagnosis must be in English and bear the name and passport/national ID number of the traveler..
– All travelers to Greece through all land border points, regardless of nationality, are required to fill out an online Passenger Locator Form (PLF) before their trip and present to authorities the email which they will have received. The PLF, which can be found here, must include their contact details in Greece.
Who can cross the borders
– Non-essential travel is only allowed through the Promachonas border point.
Although all other land border stations remain closed for non-essential travel, entry to Greece is allowed:
– through the border checkpoints of Kakavia, Krystallopigi, Evzoni, Nymfeas and Kipi only to Greek citizens, permanent residents of Greece, persons who have their main residence in Greece and people who need to enter the country for essential professional and medical reasons (relevant documents will be requested).
– through the border checkpoints of Kakavia and Krystallopigi also to holders of special expatriate identity cards.
– through the border checkpoint of Evzoni also to hospital transport vehicles originating from Kosovo and entering Greece for the treatment of transported patients belonging to the diplomatic, military or administrative staff of EU and EULEX Member States in Kosovo, as well as their family members, at hospitals of Thessaloniki.
– through the border checkpoints of Promachonas, Kakavia, Krystallopigi, Evzoni, Nymfeas, Ormeni, Kipi and Exochi also to trucks (without a negative PCR test) for the transport of goods. From the Exochi border point, only only passenger per truck is allowed.
Crossing of the border checkpoints of Kakavia, Krystallopigi, Evzoni, Nymfaia, Ormeni and Kipi, is allowed daily between 7 pm and 11 pm.
It is noted that the Kakavia border checkpoint allows the entry of a maximum of 750 people per day and the Krystallopigi border checkpoint a maximum of 300 people per day.
Moreover, foreigners who enter Greece for essential professional travel reasons and then depart, may not re-enter the country until after September 30. However, Greek citizens, holders of a residence permit, persons that have their main residence in Greece and holders of special expatriate identity cards who want to re-enter Greece before September 30 will have to fill out a Passenger Locator Form.