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Greece Travel Advisory

Travel advisory august 15, 2024, greece - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued after periodic review without changes.

Exercise normal precautions in Greece.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Greece.

If you decide to travel to Greece: 

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
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• Review the  Country Security Report  for Greece.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

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Rhodes Covid-19 Travel Advice: What you need to know for tourism in Rhodes and Greece

PCR Testing information and key measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in Rhodes and Greece

Please note that all of the measures are subject to change. This article will be changing as necessary, however measures not listed here may be implemented if this is deemed necessary.

Last update: March 19, 2022

Covid-19 PCR testing on Rhodes

If you need to be tested for Covid-19 by PCR test while you are on Rhodes, you may contact one of the following medical facilities. Please note that we rely on information provided on their website for this listing, and we cannot guarantee that a test can be provided at the time you may require it. We therefore strongly encourage you to contact the facilities before your trip to Rhodes to confirm availability for Covid-19 PCR testing.

• Euromedica Rhodes - for more information call +30 22410 45000 or send an email to [email protected]
• AquaPhysio Rhodes (information only in Greek, please use a translation tool such as Google Translate). For more information call +30 22410 60282, +30 22440 42050, +30 697833 6627 or send an email to [email protected]
• Rhodes Medical Care For more information call +30 22410 38008, +30 22410 30020 or send an email to [email protected]

Important note: The following information is no longer being updated and should be considered obsolete. If you would like more information about covid restrictions on Rhodes, please visit the official Greek Government website - https://travel.gov.gr/

Arriving to Greece and Rhodes

a) Vaccination certificate (for those who have completed vaccination for COVID-19 at least fourteen (14) days before arrival) valid for 9 months after the completion of the basic vaccination and without time limit for travellers who have received the booster dose, or b) Certificate of recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection issued 14 days after the day of the first positive COVID-19 test (PCR or Rapid Antigen test) and valid for 180 days thereafter, or c) Certificate of negative test result, namely, negative molecular test result (PCR) performed up to 72 hours before the scheduled arrival or negative Rapid Antigen test result performed up to 24 hours before the scheduled arrival.

B. Travellers arriving from Australia, Canada and the United States of America are permitted to enter Greece under the condition that they display one of the following: a) Vaccination certificate (for those who have completed vaccination for COVID-19 at least fourteen (14) days before arrival) valid for 9 months after the completion of the basic vaccination and without time limit for travellers who have received the booster dose. The vaccination certificate must include the full name of the traveller as registered in the passport, the type of vaccine given, the number of doses and inoculation dates, or b) Proof of recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection, issued 14 days after the day of the first positive COVID-19 test (PCR or Rapid Antigen test) and valid for 180 days thereafter, or c) Negative molecular test for COVID-19 (PCR) performed up to 72 hours before the scheduled arrival, or negative Rapid Antigen test performed up to 24 hours before the scheduled arrival. C. Travellers arriving in Greece from ALL other countries, regardless of their vaccination status or proof of recovery, are required to display a negative molecular test result (PCR) for Covid-19 performed up to 72 hours before the scheduled arrival or a negative Rapid Antigen test result for Covid-19 performed up to 24 hours before the scheduled arrival. The tests for Covid 19 (PRC or Rapid) must originate either by a public authority in accordance with the relevant legislation or from reference laboratories of the country of origin or transit, public or private, provided that these private laboratories have been certified by the competent national certification authority of the country. The test result must be in English language and must include the full name of the passenger as registered in the passport. The above obligations are mandatory for all travellers entering the country, including children over 5 years old. Acceptable vaccines are of: Pfizer BioNtech, Moderna, Astra Zeneca / Oxford, Novavax, Johnson & Johnson / Janssen, Sinovac Biotech, Gamaleya (Sputnik), Cansino Biologics, Sinopharm among others. All travellers arriving in Greece, regardless of the certificate in their possession, may be subject to random obligatory molecular test (PCR) or Rapid Antigen Test for COVID-19. If you are selected, please note that testing is mandatory. In case of refusal, the authorities reserve the right to refuse entry into the country. The selection is made through a system of targeted sampling with the application of a health algorithm for the best epidemiological observation and shielding of the country, used since summer of 2020. Citizens of third countries are strongly advised to choose direct flights to Greece. In any other case, travellers must comply with the requirements of the transit country. Passengers are allowed to enter the country through all international airports and all ports under the above conditions. According to the above, travellers are also allowed to enter from land borders, through the entrance gates of Promachonas, Ormenios, Evzoni, Nymfaia, Exochis, Nikis, Doirani, Krystallopigi, Kipi, Kakavia, Kastania and Mavromatiou, on a 24h basis. Through the Mertziani Entrance Gate entrance is allowed from 8.00 to 20.00. Cruising and yachting is allowed. The entry of yachts in Greece, regardless of flag, coming from Turkey is only allowed into ports of Kavala, Mytilene, Chios, Vathy and Pythagoras of Samos, Myrina of Lemnos, Symi, Skala of Patmos, as well as the tourist ports of Kos and Rhodes.  

REQUIREMENTS FOR VISITORS

Before arrival: Passenger Locator Form (PLF) requirement is no more mandatory from March 15, 2022. However, a simplified PLF remains in operation, the completion of which is OPTIONAL, for the sole purpose of enabling the traveller / family to issue an EU Certificate of negative or positive COVID-19 test result. For more information, please click here . Prior to departure, all travellers older than 5 years old must ensure that they carry an acceptable form of certification of their health condition, as stated above. Upon arrival:

All travellers are subject to random obligatory Covid-19 tests upon arrival. If found positive, a five (5) day quarantine under supervision is required either at home or at a designated temporary residence assigned by the appropriate authorities. The quarantine period starts the next day of their positive diagnosis. Following the five (5) day period and if the symptoms have receded and the travellers are feverless for 24 hours without the use of antipyretics, they are released from quarantine. If the fever insists, the travellers remain in isolation until the fever has fully receded. The above travellers must wear high protection breathing mask (FFP2 or N95) or a combination of two masks for at least 5 days after their release from isolation. Compliance with the health protocols during transport and throughout your entire stay in Greece is the key factor that will allow all of us to stay safe and return to normality. We appreciate your understanding and apologize in advance for any additional inconvenience. We extend a warm thank you for the cooperation and for choosing our country for your holidays. We look forward to welcoming you to Greece.

FREQUENT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. how can one travel to greece.

Greece welcomes visitors applying advanced health protection protocols. Greek Tourism operates with the maximum safety possible, for tourists, employees and every person involved in the provision of tourist services. Entry into Greece is allowed under the following conditions: From 15 March 2022 onwards, travellers visiting Greece are no longer required to fill out the Passenger Locator Form (PLF). However, a simplified PLF remains in operation, the completion of which is OPTIONAL, for the sole purpose of enabling the traveller / family to issue an EU Certificate of negative or positive COVID-19 test result. A. Travellers coming from EU member states and Schengen countries, as well as from the 35 non-EU countries that have joined the EU Digital Covid Certificate system, must hold an EU Digital COVID Certificate. B. Travellers coming from Australia, Canada and the United States of America must display one of the following: a) Vaccination certificate (for those who have completed vaccination for COVID-19 at least fourteen (14) days before arrival) valid for 9 months after the completion of the basic vaccination and without time limit for travellers who have received the booster dose, or b) Proof of recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection, issued 14 days after the day of the first positive COVID-19 test (PCR or Rapid Antigen test) and valid for 180 days thereafter, or c) Negative molecular test for COVID-19 (PCR) performed up to 72 hours before arrival, or negative Rapid Antigen test performed up to 24 hours before arrival. C. Travellers from ALL other countries must show either a negative PCR test performed up to 72 hours prior to arrival or a negative (rapid) antigen test performed up to 24 hours prior to arrival, issued by a certified diagnostic center in the English language. Upon entering Greece, visitors may undergo targeted COVID-19 tests. In the event of a positive result, travellers will be temporarily accommodated in an isolation hotel, free of charge. If a positive incident is detected following a sampling test at the land borders, then entry into the country may not be allowed.

2. What are the health protocols for the people working in the tourism sector?

Employees in the Greek tourism sector are being vaccinated with the general population, according to government planning. Until they are vaccinated, all employees are required to undergo COVID-19 tests at the frequency set by the current Joint Ministerial Decision, as in force. In addition, they are encouraged to test even more frequently to ensure timely isolation.

3. Which vaccines are acceptable for the vaccination certificate?

Acceptable vaccines are among others:

• Pfizer BioNtech mRNA / Comirnaty
• Moderna mRNA / Spikevax
• Astra Zeneca/Oxford ChAdOx1 nCoV (AZD1222) / Vaxzevria
• Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Ad26
• Sinavac/Coronavac
• Gamaleya (Sputnik) Ad26/Ad5, Gam-COVID-Vac, Sputnik vaccine
• Cansiνo Biologics AD5-nCOV, trade-named Convidencia
• Covishield ChAdOx1 nCoV
• BBV152 COVAXIN Bharat Biotech, India Whole virion inactivated

4. What applies to international flights?

As of 14.05.2021, flight restrictions from EU countries have been lifted and no mandatory quarantine is required. In addition, our country welcomes flights to all international airports.

5. What applies to land travel?

It is allowed to enter Greece through the aforementioned land borders on a 24h basis. Through the Mertziani Gate entrance is allowed from 8.00 to 20.00.

6. What about ferry connections?

As of 14.05.2021, the quarantine is lifted for passengers who arrive by ferry through all the port entrances. For maritime connections with Turkey please refer to the conditions mentioned above.

7. What will apply to guests during their stay?

During their stay in Greece, foreign visitors must follow all measures that apply to Greek citizens. In particular, access to indoor areas of restaurants, leisure and sports facilities is allowed only after showing a vaccination certificate valid for 7 months after the completion of the basic vaccination and without time limit for those who have received the booster dose.

8. Are there business activity health protocols in force?

The Greek Ministry of Tourism has released specific Health Protocols against COVID-19 to be applied by all Greek tourism enterprises for their safe operation in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and has introduced the National “Health First” certification seal for tourist accommodation establishments that comply with the relevant requirements. Health Protocols apply to all Greek tourism enterprises that wish to continue operation during the pandemic and aim to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission to employees and customers.

9. Are there quarantine hotels?

Specific isolation (quarantine) hotels operate near each entrance gate, as well as in other strategic points nationwide. This way, an adequate safety net for case management is in place, combined with an early detection upon the arrival of tourists from abroad. The cost for the isolation hotels is covered by the Greek state.

10. Can I quarantine at my hotel if I am diagnosed with COVID-19?

Visitors who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 upon arrival can isolate at their booked hotel, only in the case the hotel is a 4* and 5* and provides the service of quarantine rooms as specified by the competent Health Authorities. According to legislation, the visitor upon arrival can request from the Civil Protection authorities to contact her/his booked hotel regarding the availability of such service.

11. Is the departure and arrival of private yachts allowed and from which countries?

The departure and arrival of yachts is allowed with strict protocols, while the same terms and conditions will apply to both Greeks and foreign citizens.

12. What is the situation with cruise ships?

As of 14.05.2021, cruise restrictions have been completely removed, always imposing very strict protocols that apply to these activities.

13. What if the visitor's country requires a test for his / her return?

It is possible to perform PCR or rapid antigen tests directly at the place where each guest stays if the guest needs a test for returning home. This makes it easier for every tourist to be consistent with his/her obligations in order to safely return to his/her country.

15. Will I need to wear a mask on the Beach in Rhodes?

• Beach umbrellas and sun loungers must be placed at least four meters apart
• Beach umbrellas and sun loungers must also undergo regular disinfection
• Staff must wear face masks at all times in public, and undergo COVID-19 testing before working
• Music is not allowed to be played at a high volume
• Beach-goers are not required to wear a face mask while swimming or sunbathing.

Would you like to know more about driving on Rhodes? Read everyting you need to know about driving on one of the largest islands in Greece   and all you need to know about hiring a car on Rhodes .

EXTERNAL RESOURCES REGARDING COVID-19 SITUATION IN GREECE

• The official Travel Information Website from the Greek Government - https://travel.gov.gr/
• US EMBASSY IN GREECE - Covid-19-information
• DISCOVERGREECE.COM - Updates on COVID-19

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Can I travel to Rhodes? Latest Foreign Office advice for Greece and what to do if your holiday is cancelled

The uk government is not advising people against travelling to rhodes, despite the fires.

Wildfires continued to burn across Greece on Monday, with the islands of Rhodes and Corfu – both popular tourist spots – worst affected.

Fires burning since Wednesday forced 19,000 people to be evacuated from homes and tourist accommodation on Rhodes over the weekend, as a blaze reached resorts on the island’s south-eastern coast.

British tourists camped out overnight in schools and sports halls, as well as the island’s airport, after being forced to leave hotels that became engulfed by the wildfires .

Foreign Office minister, Andrew Mitchell, said his “best estimate” of the number of British tourists on Rhodes currently is “between 7,000 and 10,000”.

Tour operators Jet2, Tui and Corendon cancelled flights leaving for Rhodes. easyJet said on Sunday it was operating two repatriation flights on Monday from Rhodes to London’s Gatwick, in addition to the nine flights that are already planned. The airline said it will add another repatriation flight on Tuesday.

“We are in the seventh day of the fire and it hasn’t been controlled,” Rhodes’ deputy mayor, Konstantinos Taraslias, told state broadcaster ERT.

Is it safe to travel to Rhodes?

The UK Government is not advising people against travelling to Rhodes, despite the fires.

Mr Mitchell said: “It’s important to remember that only 10 per cent of the island is affected by these fires. And therefore it is the tourist companies and the holiday experts who are best placed to give guidance on whether or not a family or individuals’ holidays are going to be ruined by these events.

“What we’re telling people to do is to keep in touch with their tourist company, and that is the right advice.”

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: “We are actively monitoring the fires in Rhodes and are in close contact with local authorities.

“The FCDO has deployed a rapid deployment team of five FCDO staff and four British Red Cross responders to Rhodes to support British nationals whose safety is our top priority. They will be based at Rhodes international airport to assist with travel documents and liaise with Greek authorities and travel operators on the ground.

“British nationals in Rhodes should contact their travel operator in the first instance for any queries regarding the rescheduling of flights and continue to check our updated travel advice for information.”

Greece is often hit by wildfires during the summer months but climate change has led to more extreme heatwaves across southern Europe .

Temperatures over the past week have exceeded 40ºC in many parts of the country and are forecast to persist in the coming days.

What should I do if my holiday is cancelled?

On Sunday, Tui suspended its flights to Rhodes until Tuesday, while Jet2 Holidays cancelled its trips until next Sunday.

Airlines including easyJet, Ryanair and British Airways are continuing to operate flights.

A spokesperson for easyJet said it was doing “all it can” to help customers in Rhodes and invited those due to travel to or from the island until Saturday to change the date for free.

How locals are rebuilding Rhodes one year after devastating wildfires

British Airways said it would “continue to carefully monitor the situation” and was in touch with customers in affected areas to provide assistance.

Thomas Cook has cancelled all holidays to Kiotari and Lardos – the areas of Rhodes most at risk – up to and including 31 July.

If your flight or holiday is cancelled by the operator you should be entitled to a full refund.

However, unless you are advised to cancel your holiday by the Foreign Office, there is no guarantee you will get your money back if you choose not to travel and the trip is not cancelled by the operator.

Helen Tonks, a mother of six from Cheshire, said she was flown into a “living nightmare” by Tui at 11pm on Saturday and discovered her hotel had been closed.

She said she and her family were “abandoned” and forced to sleep with hundreds of others on a school floor.

A Tui spokesperson said the firm’s “main priority” was the safety of customers and its staff were doing “all they can” to help those affected by the fires.

Where are the wildfires on Rhodes?

The two largest wildfires are near the villages of Eleousa and Laerma, both of which are towards the centre of the island.

At least three hotels in the seaside village of Kiotari on the south coast have been affected, as have the popular resorts of Kalathos and Pefki.

One British tourist, Ian Wakefield, told Times Radio he spent the night in a school playground in Faliraki after being moved from his hotel in Pefki.

“It didn’t really feel real – being in imminent danger of being burned to death,” he said. “Between midnight and around 5am we were going through an evacuation which was pretty chaotic.

“There were a lot of upset people and children who were understandably quite hysterical. It was all very confusing – the instructions from the hotel manager were unclear.

“You had to make your own choice in the end. I’ve had to leave quite a lot of luggage in the hotel.”

Another British tourist, Kevin Evans, was evacuated twice with his wife and three young children, including a six-month old baby, on Saturday as the fire rapidly spread.

“We were originally in Kiotari in a villa but were moved to Gennadi at about 2pm,” he said.

“There were lots of people in Gennadi sent from the hotels – many in just swimsuits having been told to leave everything in the hotel.

“As night fell, we could see the fire on the top of the hills in Kiotari. They said all the hotels were on fire.

“About midnight the fire started moving on to our side of the hill. The alerts were going off again but not to everyone at once with some people telling us to stay put and others receiving messages to evacuate.

“We left at midnight with the fire very big and close.”

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Foreign Office updates Greece travel advice for UK tourists after Rhodes wildfire evacuations

The UK Government has shared emergency service information for tourists affected by the blaze burning through Rhodes.

• 11:37, 23 JUL 2023
• Updated 11:44, 23 JUL 2023

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British tourists planning to visit Greece or who are there already are being urged to follow new travel advice as the country battles intense wildfires . Hotels, villas and homes on the island of Rhodes have been evacuated as the blaze enters its sixth day of burning.

In response, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel guidance, urging tourists to check with their hotel or tour operators as several airlines have cancelled all flights to Rhodes . The department has also shared emergency service contact details for Brits already in Rhodes already, who should follow local advice.

Updating its guidance on Saturday, the FCDO said: "If you are a British national affected by wildfires in Rhodes near Kiotari, Pefkoi, Lindos and the surrounding area, please follow the guidance from the emergency services. Call the Greek Emergency Services on 112 if you are in immediate danger.

"The Greek government has established a Crisis Management Unit to respond to the situation in Rhodes. They can be contacted on +30 210 368 1730. For 24/7 British consular assistance, call +4420 7008 5000.

"If you are planning to travel to Rhodes, please check with your travel operator or hotel prior to travel that the area you plan to visit is not impacted by the current wildfires.

So far, holiday providers Jet2 and TUI have cancelled all outgoing flights to Rhodes for the next few days. Jet2 announced that it would be sending empty aircrafts out to pick up UK passengers.

The Rhodes wildfire is one of several engulfing southern Europe amid scorching heatwave temperatures which have exceeded the 40C mark. Parts of Spain, Portugal, southern France, Turkey and as far north as Germany have also experienced blazes.

The fire was previously contained in higher mountainous areas, but spread further on Saturday to the more heavily populated eastern part of the island. Residents were sent emergency texts urging them to evacuate and hotels and beaches have also been emptied with boats transporting people to safety.

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The Guardian reports that Greek weather forecasts on Sunday predict high winds which could make fighting the blaze all the tougher.

Fire department spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakoyiannis said: “The wind is expected to become more intense from 12 to 5pm, without excluding the possibility that could happen earlier."

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

As wildfires continue in parts of Greece – is it safe to travel to Corfu, Crete and Zante right now?

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After a state of emergency was declared in Rhodes – wildfires triggered by the heatwave continue to rage across Greece , holidaymakers are wondering whether it is safe to travel to the Greek islands .

Evacuations took place from Rhodes and Corfu last week, and the raging wildfires have forced thousands to flee , including British tourists, as the owners of dozens of private boats pitched in to help ferry people to safety.

More than 19,000 people have been evacuated from Rhodes so far in what police told local news outlet  Ellada 24  is the largest fire evacuation operation ever carried out in the country.

The latest decision from the minister of civil protection, Vasilis Papageorgiou, means emergency measures apply for the entire island of Rhodes, a popular tourist destination.

The wildfires in Greece caused an explosion on Thursday night, as the flames spread to an ammunition dump.

Two pilots have also died after their plane crashed while attempting to put out fires over Karystos near Athens.

Many tourists initially took to social media to vent their fears and frustration at not being given any information on what to do by travel companies, and some stranded Brits reported being left to sleep on sunbeds .

TUI, Jet2 and Easyjet repatriation flights have been taking place, but  hundreds of tourists had to spend the night sleeping on the floor of Rhodes Airport  as flights home to  London  are delayed.

Greece’s prime minister is now urging people to come back next year by offering them a free one-week stay.

The Cerberus and Charon heatwaves have caused extreme temperatures in southern Europe , with Gythio in Greece topping the temperature charts so far at 46.4C.

So if you’re due to travel to Greece, or had been planning to book a trip there, is it safe to go?

Here is what you need to know.

Is it safe to travel to Greece right now?

The current advice from the Foreign Office is that if you are planning to travel to any areas in Greece which are experiencing wildfires, you should check with your travel operator or hotel prior to travel and make sure you have appropriate insurance .

The Foreign Office says to be cautious if you are in or near an area affected by wildfires, and that you should:

• Follow the guidance of the emergency services
• Call the Greek Emergency Services on 112 if you are in immediate danger
• Contact your airline or travel operator who can assist you with return travel to the UK.
• iPhones go to Settings > Notification. Enable the “Emergency Alerts” option at the bottom.
• Android 11 and higher go to Settings > Notifications > Advanced Settings > Wireless Emergency Alerts
• Samsung Devices go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Notifications > Emergency Notifications. Enable the Emergency Alerts option
• Read the  Greek Government’s protection guidelines  in the event of a forest fire.
• Register via the  Greek government’s Emergency Communication Service  (in Greek)

The Greek government has also set up a Crisis Management Unit to help with the evacuation of foreign visitors from Rhodes due to the ongoing fires. Contact them for advice on:

• +30 210 368 1730
• +30 210 368 1259
• +30 210 368 1350

Several holiday firms and airlines are cancelling flights to Rhodes, and Jet2 has cancelled all flights and holidays to Rhodes up to and including Sunday, July 30.

Is Crete safe from fires?

At present the latest official map below shows Crete– the very large island at the bottom of the map in the ‘blue zone’ – is at a low risk of fires.

If you’re due to travel to Crete, it’s important to check with your hotel, airline or tour operator, but at present, flights are continuing as scheduled.

Is Santorini safe from fires?

The island of Santorini is in the Cyclades, the small islands in yellow above Crete.

As it is currently zoned in yellow, Santorini is not at present at dangerously elevated risk for wildfires and travel to and from the island is continuing as planned.

However, the situation in Greece is fast-moving and this could change.

Is Zante safe to travel to?

Popular party island Zante is in the Ionian islands, one of the islands in blue to the left of the mainland.

This means that, at the moment, the island is at not a high risk of wildfires.

At the moment there are no travel restrictions to the island but tourists should be very wary of the fire risks.

However, this could change at short notice, so make sure to check with your travel operator before flying.

Is it safe to travel to Kos?

The island of Kos – which is situated on the right of the map just off Turkey – is currently zoned in blue, indicating a low risk of wildfires.

So while it is not in the red ‘danger zone’, and there are currently no travel restrictions, wildfires can break out at any time.

Trips to Kos are continuing as planned at present but as with all wildfires, the situation is fast-moving and can change suddenly.

Can I get a refund on a Greece holiday?

Unless you are advised to cancel your holiday by the Foreign Office, or it is cancelled by the airline or tour operator, there is no guarantee you’ll get your money back if you choose not to travel.

Most insurance policy claims will only pay out on a trip cancellation under certain circumstances, such as illness, a family bereavement or an exceptionally long delay in travel.

Thousands evacuated from homes and hotels on Greek island of Rhodes as wildfires spread https://t.co/NBbPSpvoRx pic.twitter.com/Pnr0JH1vNb — BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) July 23, 2023

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Airlines are also not under any obligation to refund you if you cancel a trip due to factors beyond their control.

That said, if you have a pre-existing medical condition and travelling to Greece could be a health risk, you may be able to claim a refund under the terms of your insurance policy.

Likewise, some travel experts have suggested that airlines may offer some compensation due to the current temperatures.

To encourage tourists to return next year, however, the Greek PM has said that those who were forced to cancel or cut their holiday short can get a free week’s holiday.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis told ITV: ‘For all those whose holiday was cut short as a result of wildfires, the Greek government in cooperation with local authorities will offer one week of free holidays on Rhodes, next spring, the next fall, so that we make sure they come back to the island and enjoy its natural beauty.’

He said that the wildfires affected 15% of Rhodes and that the situation is ‘back to normal’ now but authorities ‘understand that it caused some inconvenience for visitors’.

MORE : As Greece is devastated by wildfires, do we know what sparked the major blazes?

MORE : ‘Fire whirl’ vortexes unleashed by massive wildfire burning western US

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Greece wildfires: should you cancel your holiday to Athens?

Summer 2023 was one of the hottest on record – in July last year, certain destinations across Europe broke records for the warmest days ever recorded from Spain to Italy – causing health concerns and disruption to locals and tourists alike. In May 2024, Greece had the earliest heatwave it had, as temperatures exceeded 43 degrees Celsius. Those extreme temperatures resulted in wildfires spreading across the islands of Kos, Chios and Crete.

Wildfires started on Kos, one of Greece’s Dodecanese islands. Hundreds of British tourists and residents were forced to flee, taking shelter in a football stadium and other venues to escape the smoke. Similar fires have spread across Chios and Crete.

There are reports of wildfires raging through forests north of Athens since Saturday 10 August. A weekend of consistently high temperatures and strong winds had led to a continuous escalation of the situation. At the time of writing (Monday 12 August) the fires are still not under control.

What's causing the fires in Athens?

The wildfires started causing considerable damage in the early hours of Monday 12 August, and, at the time of writing, are still being contained by emergency services. At the time of writing, the exact cause of the wildfires is unknown. However, gale-force winds of around 50km/h in some areas north of the Greek capital, plus several days of extreme temperatures approaching 40C, mean emergency services are working tirelessly to extinguish the blazes.

Is it safe to travel to Athens?

The Greek authorities have not yet announced a state of emergency in Athens. The FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) is currently not advising against travel to any Greek islands, but make sure to check the latest official advice on the gov.uk website and check in with your tour operators, accommodation or airlines before you travel.

Which airlines have cancelled flights to Athens?

At the time of writing, no airlines have altered their flight schedule or cancelled any flights.

Can I get a refund if I cancel my holiday?

If you've booked flights and hotels separately, you need to check your airline's latest policy regarding travel to the island. If FCDO does not advise against travel to the destination, the airline is able to still operate flights and is not required to refund customers who wish not to travel.

If you've booked a package holiday that includes flights and accommodation, the tour operator has a duty of care to travellers. This means that trips to the island's affected areas might be cancelled, in which case refunds would be offered. Again, this will vary by operator, so check in with the company you booked with.

Will my travel insurance cover wildfires?

No, as the FCDO advice doesn't tell travellers not to visit Athens. Plus, even if the FDCO did advise against travel to the destination, the two types of UK healthcare available abroad, the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) and the UK European Health Insurance CARD (EHIC), do not cover expenses in the case of natural disasters.

Are any other Greek islands affected?

Emergency services have been battling countless wildfires in recent months, as the country has recorded its hottest June and July since reliable records began. However, at the time of writing, the situation north of Athens is causing the greatest amount of concern.

Which Greek islands had the worst wildfires last year?

In 2023, wildfires spread across Greece and other parts of the Mediterranean and hit Rhodes, Evia and Corfu particularly badly. Airlines cancelled flights as the island declared a state of emergency.

This article is accurate at the time of publishing, 4pm Monday 12 August 2024.

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British Vice Consulate Rhodes

The British Vice Consulate in Rhodes represents the UK government in Greece.

The British Embassy Athens and British Vice Consulates around Greece are open to the public by appointment only. Emergency travel document printing and collection also continues on an appointment basis.

Find out more on our UK and Greece news page .

We provide services to British nationals living in and visiting Greece. You can access UK government services while in Greece .

Read the latest information on the rights and status for UK nationals Living in Europe and our practical guidance on Living in Greece .

If you’re travelling in Greece, see our Greece Travel Advice .

Getting help

If you cannot get the support you need from local services, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) can help British people abroad.  

We prioritise emergencies and people who are vulnerable, for example, if someone’s:  

ill, injured, or involved in a crime  

with a British person who’s died

Get help from FCDO

Get an emergency travel document

You can apply for an emergency travel document if you’re abroad and your passport has been lost or stolen , damaged or expired, and you can’t get a new or replacement passport in time to travel.

Apply online for an emergency travel document

If the person needing the emergency travel document is under 16, a parent or guardian should apply on their behalf.

If you are travelling in more than 3 weeks, check if you can get a new or replacement passport in time to travel.

If you are not a British citizen or have not had a British passport before

If you’re not sure, check if you’re a British citizen

If you’re not a British citizen but think you may be eligible, contact us to apply for an emergency travel document .

Other consular services

Notarial and documentary services.

Documentary services for UK nationals wishing to marry in Greece are now available by appointment only at the Athens offices and our Consular network around Greece. Find out more on our British Embassy Athens page .

If you require

a certified copy of your British passport, or

a signed and stamped version of one of our standard letters

you can request for it to be issued and sent to you by post and pay the fee/ postal costs by credit card. To make a request, send us an online enquiry .

If you think you urgently need a notarial service, contact us .

See the full list of notarial and documentary services we provide in Greece.

Marriage and civil partnerships

For information on getting married in Greece, see getting married abroad .

Certificates of Non Impediment (CNIs) for British nationals wishing to marry in Greece are only issued by the British Embassy in Athens. Go to the getting married abroad page to find out if you need one.

Consular fees

We charge fees for some of our services. See the full list of consular fees in Greece .

We also provide services in:

29 Gr. Lambraki Street 85 100 Rhodes Greece

Public access to the consulate is by appointment only -

To call us 24/7 in an emergency or send us an online enquiry go to: https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/posts/greece/british-vice-consulate-rhodes

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Greece fears more wildfires as Athens counts cost of climate crisis

The country remains on high alert, article bookmarked.

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Firefighters battled on Wednesday to extinguish the final pockets of a wildfire near Athens that killed a woman and forced thousands of people to flee their homes.

The blaze burned 40 square miles of land northeast of the Greek capital this week and came within just miles of reaching a tourist-packed centre.

Most of the fronts had eased three days after the inferno had first taken hold, but officials warned against complacency as firefighters were still battling sporadic flare-ups.

Temperatures were expected to hit 40C across the country, with many areas on fire alert until the end of Thursday due to strong winds and dry land. Some were still suffering from power cuts on Wednesday afternoon after power cables were taken down by the fire.

The country, which has recently tightened penalties for arson, has dealt with over 3,500 fires since May, a nearly 50 per cent increase from the same period in 2023 when it recorded 2,300 blazes.

“It is a vast area and forces are trying to ensure day and night that there won’t be any rekindlings,” Nikos Lavranos, head of the Greek federation of fire service employees, told Reuters.

Government inspectors were assessing damaged buildings and state infrastructure on Wednesday. Some fire-stricken residents returned to their scorched properties, hoping to find some belongings amidst the debris, while others were trying to overcome the shock.

Hundreds of firefighters assisted by dozens of aircraft have been tackling the blaze since Sunday as it barrelled from a forest off the town of Varnavas, 35km (22 miles) from the capital, into Athens’ northern suburbs.

The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined.

Prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the military airport of Elefsina to thank the pilots of firefighting aircraft.

“This is an effort we all make during a great climate crisis,” he said. “We must constantly improve.”

Mr Mitsotakis also said that Greece would need to wait another three years before the arrival of seven firefighting aircraft it has purchased from Canada.

The conservative government, which has announced compensation and relief measures for those impacted by the disaster, has been criticised by opposition parties over the current number of firefighters and the aircraft it deployed for the latest blaze.

Sunday’s fire broke rapidly across several fronts reaching within hours the seaside area of Nea Makri and areas around the historic town of Marathon.

By Tuesday, it had reached suburbs on the slopes of Mount Penteli, which is considered one of Athens’ last green lungs.

A woman was found dead inside a burned business in the suburb of Vrilissia, about 10km from central Athens, on Monday.

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