Travel to Greece allowed in this situation?

pawntoc5

Three friends and myself have a flight booked to Greece and we're due to leave in a week. We all live and work in London, but non of us hold British citizenship. Does anyone know if we're still allowed to travel to Greece? I'd read that Greece currently doesn't allow non-EU nationals into their country but confused whether that really applies as a blanket policy of if they are more concerned about the origin of your flight (surely that should be the bigger concern).

bradders1983

The https://travel.gov.gr/#/ website is confusing. It does indeed state residents of countries not in the EU are not allowed in, but you could argue you ARE a resident of one despite the passport you hold not being on the list.

Have you considered contacting the Greek Embassy in London?

epm-84

From the Greece government website:

Greece is ready once again to welcome the world. Here is how:

Residents form EU+ countries are allowed to travel to Greece. EU+ consists of the European Union, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Lichtenstein and Iceland.

Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, China*, UAE**.

** Permanent residents of the UAE may arrive only by direct flights in Greece from 1.8.2020 until the 31.8.2020. In order to enter the territory of Greece, permanent residents of UAE is necessary to present to the air border control authorities:

1. Proof of permanent residence in the UAE
2. Return tickets and hotel reservations.
3. Health Checks (PCR COVID-19 test 72h before departure)
4. Passenger Locator Form (PLF)
5. Travel insurance

Permanent residents of other countries are allowed to travel to Greece only for essential travel.

https://travel.gov.gr/#/

Don't forget there's a lot of tit for tat regulations e.g. Trump has banned Europeans from entering the United States so a lot of European countries have banned Americans from entering their countries until Trump removes his restriction.

bradders1983

^^^yes he probably knows all that. But he can argue he is a resident of an EU country despite not having an EU passport. No idea if he would be successful.

Another problem here is the origin of flight, non-Schengen so his passport will be checked at the other end although maybe they are checking everyones at the moment anyway, either that or the airlines have to pass the details on.

He probably needs to contact the Embassy for clarity. 

epm-84

bradders1983 said:
yes he probably knows all that. But he can argue he is a resident of an EU country despite not having an EU passport. No idea if he would be successful.

Another problem here is the origin of flight, non-Schengen so his passport will be checked at the other end although maybe they are checking everyones at the moment anyway, either that or the airlines have to pass the details on.

Proof of residency in the UK will likely be a good idea - a driving licence (even a provisional) might satisfy that requirement.

 Travel within the Schengen zone without checks is suspended due to COVID-19.  Everyone arriving in Greece needs to fill in a Passenger Locator Form and produce the QR code they will get by email, as well as their passport or national ID card and in some cases proof of negative COVID-19 test even if a EU national travelling from an EU country e.g. for Spain.

bradders1983

https://www.mfa.gr/uk/en/the-embassy/
Phone number on there. Ring it and let us know the outcome of your query.

macman

If you work in the UK and live here, then you have a right to reside, unless you are working illegally. Ergo, you are a resident.
The wording refers to residents, not to citizens.
So i would have thought that all you would need is your visa, which you would presumably be carrying anyway?

pawntoc5

Thanks everyone. Did a few more checks; I should be fine. BTW, I found it interesting that a poster above assumed that I am a man. Women exist in the world too, you know