Travel to Greece Warnings

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Entry and exit

Greece is party to the Schengen Convention, along with a number of other European countries, which allows Australians to enter Greece without a visa in some circumstances. For further information read our travel bulletin on the Schengen Convention. In emergencies, Australians may, for a fee, apply to extend their stay in Greece at the Kentro Allodapon (Aliens Police).

Entry and exit conditions (such as visa requirements, customs and quarantine regulations) can change at short notice. You should contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Greece for the most up to date information. You may also visit the embassy website at Embassy of Greece or visit the official Greek Tourism website for additional information.

People travelling directly to or from a country outside the EU carrying 10, 000 Euros or more (or the equivalent amount in another currency) are required to declare the cash at the place of their arrival or departure from the EU. Under the legislation, the term "cash" includes cheques, travellers' cheques and money orders. Travellers failing to declare the cash or providing incomplete or incorrect information will incur a fine. There is no requirement to declare cash for people travelling to or from another EU country.

Australian citizens born in Greece should note that they may encounter problems entering Greece on travel documents that use place names (for example, place of birth) not officially recognised by Greece. There have been cases where Australian passport holders have been denied entry into Greece on this basis, particularly when attempting to enter Greece from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

If you plan to travel to Greece with medication, see for additional information.

Make sure your passport has at least six months’ validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.

Money and valuables

Greek banks reopened on 20 July. Capital controls are still in place. Further disruptions to banking services are possible. Credit card processing and servicing of ATMs throughout Greece remains limited. Foreign credit/debit cards are still generally being accepted in Greece but this cannot be relied on. Daily ATM withdrawal limits do not currently apply to most major foreign debit/credit cards. Make sure you have sufficient cash in various denominations to cover emergencies and unexpected delays. You should take appropriate security precautions against theft.

Australians travelling to Greece should ensure they have appropriate travel insurance. If you require medical care, hospitals may require up-front payment in cash if you do not have suitable insurance cover.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.