Practical information Greece

For French, Belgian, Swiss and Luxembourgish nationals, no visa is required for a tourist stay. A valid national ID card is sufficient for EU citizens, as well as for Swiss citizens. For travelers from outside the EU, Greece is part of the Schengen area: a short-stay Schengen visa is necessary if your nationality does not benefit from an exemption, expect approximately 90 € in consular fees. We recommend a valid passport for at least 6 months after your return date to avoid any boarding refusal, as some airlines are strict on this point. From 2025, the ETIAS system will apply to visa-exempt nationals from outside the EU.

No vaccines are required to enter Greece. Our team in Athens simply recommends staying up to date with routine vaccinations: diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, whooping cough and MMR. The hepatitis A vaccine may be relevant if you plan to eat frequently in small rural tavernas or on remote islands. No malaria or dengue risk to report. In summer, mosquitoes are present on certain coasts and lagoons, a standard insect repellent is sufficient. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers basic healthcare for Europeans, but we recommend supplementary travel insurance for repatriation, especially if you plan mountain hiking or diving.

Excluding international flights, budget between €90 and €140 per day per person on a standard package (double room accommodation, meals, local transport, visits). During high season in the Cyclades (July-August in Santorin or Mykonos), hotel nights quickly exceed €200; it's better to aim for nearby islands like Naxos or Milos to stay reasonable. A meal in a family taverna costs €15 to €22 per person with local wine. An Athens-Santorin ferry ranges from €50 to €90 depending on speed. Car rental runs €35–55 per day outside summer. The Peloponnese and northern Greece remain significantly more affordable than the heavily visited islands.

May-June and September-October offer the best conditions: temperatures between 22 and 30 °C, sea still swimmable from mid-May in Crete until mid-October, archaeological sites less crowded. July and August remain suitable for swimming, but the Acropolis and Delphi become challenging above 35 °C, and the Cyclades experience the meltem, a wind that can disrupt ferries. Winter (December to March) suits Athens and the Peloponnese for cultural visits, as well as skiing on Mount Parnassus, but many island hotels close. For hiking in the Samaria or Vikos Gorges, aim for May-June or September.

Three main modes depending on your itinerary. A rental car is essential in the Peloponnese, Crete and Northern Greece, the road network is good, and the Athens-Thessaloniki motorway is smooth. Ferries connect the islands from Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio: Blue Star Ferries for classic boats (slower, cheaper), SeaJets or Hellenic Seaways for fast ferries. Book in advance in July-August. To save time, Aegean Airlines and Sky Express serve the main islands from Athens in 35-50 minutes. In Athens itself, the metro is efficient and safe. We do not recommend long-distance buses for travelers in a hurry.

Greece is one of the safest destinations in Southern Europe. Petty crime (pickpockets in Athens metro and tourist areas) remains the main risk, and standard precautions are sufficient. No areas need to be avoided for security reasons. However, be vigilant at sea: the meltem can make certain ferry connections uncomfortable in July-August, and swimming on unguarded beaches in the Cyclades requires caution (currents). In summer, the risk of forest fires is real—follow local authorities' and your accommodation's instructions. For gorge hikes (Samaria, Vikos), start early, bring water, and inform someone of your route.