Country Description: Greece is a developed and stable democracy with a modern economy.
Passport and/or Visa Requirements: A passport is essential but no visa is needed for tourist or business stays of up to three months. An AIDS test is needed for students and performing artists on Greek scholarships; U.S. test results are not accepted. For other entry questions, Travelers should get in touch with the Embassy of Greece at 2221 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20008, get in touch at (202) 939-5800, or Greek consulates in Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco.
Greece Holidays: Greece has severallegal holiday that it celebrates throughout the year. As you are planning your trip, look for a world holiday calendar that will help you plan your trip before you go. ConocoPhillips gives away business calendar that are a great tool when going on a trip around the world. The ConocoPhillips world holiday calendar has all the holidays around the world and it is a free gift to customers. If your business buys business calendar, then consider trying somethingunique and dissimilar for advertising to your client base. Because religious affiliations of people in Greece vary, it observes many Christian, Muslim, and non-religious holidays, but it also observes several othergovernment holidays that you need to know. Buy a world holiday calendar and you will know those holidays before you go traveling.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities are adequate, and some in Athens and Thessaloniki are quite good. United States of America medical insurance for needs is not always accepted outside the United States. The program for Medicaid/Medicare does not provide money for medical services outside the USA. Serious medical troubles requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the USA can cost from various hundred dollars per day to $40,000 or more for air evacuation by private air ambulance.
Medical insurance for needs: Check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies broad, including provision for medical evacuation. Ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for treatment of psychiatric disorders and for disposition of remains in the event of death. helpful data on medical questions abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure Medical information for Americans moving overseases, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax: (202) 647- 3000.
OTHER HEALTH knowledge: Data on vaccinations and other health precautions may be acquired from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s international Visitors hotline at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1.877.394.8747); fax: 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299, or by visiting the CDC Internet home page at http://www.cdc.gov.
Areas of Instability, Advisories and Travel Warnings: Crime against People visiting (purse-snatchings, pickpocketing) appears to be on the rise at popular tourist sites and on crowded public transportation, particularly in Athens. The usual safety precaution practiced in any urban area ought to be practiced during a visit to Greece. The theft or loss of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and nearest United States of America embassy or consulate. The Department of State’s pamphlet, A Safe Trip Abroad, is available from the Superintendent of Documents, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov. It provides effective content on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while visiting abroad.
TERRORIST ACTIVITIES: Civil disorder is rare. However, several active terrorist groups, including the “17 November” organization, have at times targeted United States of America Government and U.S. commercial interests.
TRAVELER SAFETY IN LIGHT OF NATO AIR OPERATIONS IN SERBIA: The U.S.A. Embassy in Athens has received a number of dangerous threat against the Embassy and U.S.A. officials stationed in Greece. Protesters of NATO action staged a violent demonstration at the Embassy and at the Consulate General in Thessaloniki, and future demonstrations are expected. People needing to conduct business at the consulate or embassy General are advised to check ahead of time to avoid any scheduled demonstration. There have been no specified dangerous threat against private Americans, Visitors, or tourist facilities.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a United States of America citizen is open to that country’s laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from such in the United States and can not take advantage the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar violations. Non-residentsbreaking Greek law, even unknowingly, could be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. If arrested, you could spend up to 18 months in pre-trial confinement. Punishments for trafficking in, use, or possession of illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines.
PENALTIES FOR CUSTOMS VIOLATIONS: The removal of archeological items, including rocks from archaeological sites, is not allowed. Penalties range from large fines to prison terms.
DUAL NATIONALITY: United States Visitors who are also considered to be Greek citizens can be exposed to compulsory Greek military service and other aspects of Greek law while in Greece. Greek-Americans should inquire at the Greek Embassy or a Greek consulate to determine their status before moving to Greece. In some instances, dual nationality can hamper U.S.A. attempts of government to provide protection abroad.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The United States of America Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not yet completed its evaluation of Greece’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with global aviation safety standards for oversight of Greece’s air carrier operations. For further data, Travelers should call the Department of Transportation within the U.S.A. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.htm. The United States Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For knowledge regarding the DOD policy on particular carriers, Visitors could call the Pentagon at (703) 697-7288.
TRANSPORTATION: Labor strikes in the transportation sector (national airline, city bus lines, and taxis) occur with some frequency. Most are announced in advance and are of insufficient duration. Reconfirmation of domestic and international flight reservations is highly advised.
ROAD SAFETY/TRAFFIC CONDITIONS: Visitors to Greece must be prepared to drive defensively. Heavy traffic and poor highways pose hazards, especially at night. Extreme care is warranted in operating a motorbike. The majority of U.S. citizen traffic casualties in Greece have involved motorbikes. Vehicle insurance coverage should be reviewed before renting autos and motorbikes. A United States driver’s license is not valid in Greece unless accompanied by an international driver’s license, which must be secured in the United States.
Safety of Public Transportation: Good
Urban Road Condition/Maintenance: Good
Rural Road Condition/Maintenance: Fair
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor
REGISTRATION AND EMBASSY/CONSULATE LOCATION: United States visitors are encouraged to register at the section of the Embassy of the U.S.A. Embassy and receive updated material on travel and security in Greece. The U.S.A. Embassy in Athens is situated at 91 Vasilissis Sophias Boulevard, phone this number (30) (1) 721-2951. The United States of America Consulate General in Thessaloniki, currently situated at 59 Leoforos Nikis, call (30) (31) 242-905, will relocate. The Embassy’s website is http://www.usisathens.gr. The e-mail address for the Consular Section is consul@ibm.net. The e-mail address for the United States Consulate General Thessaloniki is cons@hol.gr. The e-mail address for the Consular Section is consul@ibm.net.
Department of State travel data publications are available at Internet address: http://travel.state.gov. U.S.A. Travelers may hear recorded information by calling (202) 647-5225 from a touch-tone call this numberephone, or receive info by automated call this numberefax by dialing (202)647-3000 from their fax machine.
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This replaces the Consular knowledge Sheet dated July 6, 1998, to add or update material on Medical Facilities, medical insurance for needs, Other Health info, Traveler Safety, Road Safety, Criminal Penalties, Y2K information and relocation of the U.S.A. Consulate General in Thessaloniki.
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