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Weather & climate
Weather in Greece
Greece
22°
Overcast
Thu
15°
22°
Fri
15°
23°
Sat
13°
23°
Sun
12°
22°
Mon
11°
22°
Tue
14°
23°
Wed
12°
23°
SPF level in Greece
Recommended: SPF 50
Spring
SPF 30
Summer
SPF 50
Autumn
SPF 30
Winter
SPF 15
Suncream is often more expensive in tourist zones. Pack your preferred SPF from the UK, especially for beach holidays. Always carry travel-size (100ml max) for hand luggage.
Before you go
Entry requirements for Greece
What British travellers need to know
You can travel without a visa to Greece for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism or visiting.
Your passport must have a 'date of issue' less than 10 years before your arrival date in the Schengen area.
Your passport must have an 'expiry date' at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.
You may need to show a return or onward ticket and prove you have enough money for your stay when entering.
On entry to the Schengen area for short stays, you may need to register your biometric details like fingerprints and a photo at a special booth.
Good to know:
Declare cash or travellers cheques if you are carrying a value of 10,000 euros or more at your point of entry into Greece.
You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into Greece, with exceptions for items like baby food.
Safety in Greece
Tips when travelling
Greece is tourist-friendly but has some key cultural and legal rules:
Thefts of passports and wallets are common on the metro and in crowded tourist areas, so carry valuables separately and keep a passport copy safe.
Always carry your passport for identification as the police may not accept a copy.
Police will arrest you for rowdy or indecent behaviour, especially when drinking heavily, which can lead to fines or prison.
Smoking in indoor public places is illegal and can result in a fine of up to 500 euros.
You must validate your public transport ticket by stamping it to avoid getting a fine.
Bonus tips:
Restaurants must by law provide an itemised bill, so ensure you get a receipt for everything you buy.
Book water sports at a licensed centre, get a safety demonstration, and obey warning signs and flags on beaches.
More information
Driving in Greece
A UK driving license is accepted in Greece. Ensure you have your license with you while driving.
Side of road
right
Motorway speed limit
130 km/h
Urban speed limit
50 km/h
Alcohol limit
0.05%
Remember: Greece drives on the right. Take extra care at junctions if you normally drive on the left.
Health in Greece
As a UK resident, you can use a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for state healthcare in Greece. However, it's still advisable to have comprehensive travel insurance, particularly for private healthcare, repatriation, and other expenses not covered by GHIC/EHIC.
Generally, no specific vaccinations are required for Greece. However, it's always recommended to consult your GP or a travel clinic for personalized advice based on your medical history. Ensure you are up-to-date with routine vaccinations like measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, and polio.
Cards & payments
Widely accepted in tourist areas and larger establishments. Smaller shops and tavernas may prefer cash.
Visa
High
Mastercard
High
American Express
Medium
Lost card? Call Visa: +1-303-967-1096
Tipping in Greece
Tipping is customary in Greece for good service. While not mandatory, it's a appreciated gesture.
Restaurant
5-10% of the bill
Bar/Café
Rounding up the bill or leaving €1-2
Taxi
Rounding up the fare
Hotel Porter
€1-2 per bag
Hotel Housekeeper
€1-2 per day
Tour Guide
€5-10 per person, depending on the length and quality of the tour
Mobile & roaming
Since Brexit, the guarantee of EU-wide free roaming has ended. Check with your mobile provider before travelling to Greece to understand the roaming charges you will incur. Many providers offer daily roaming packages for use outside of the UK.
Local SIM
10 GB for 25 EUR (~£21)
Network coverage
4G, 5G, LTE
Electrical in Greece
Voltage
230V / 50Hz
Plug types
Type C, Type F
WiFi & internet
Widely available in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and bars, especially in tourist areas.
Average speed
40 Mbps
WiFi is readily available in most populated areas and tourist establishments. Internet speeds are generally good for browsing and social media.
Emergency numbers
Universal emergency
112
Ambulance
166
Fire
199
Save 112 in your phone before travelling.
Calling Greece
Country code
+30
To call the British Embassy in Athens from the UK: 00 30 210 7273 000
The country code for Greece is 30. When calling from abroad, dial your country's exit code, then 30, followed by the local number.
Language in Greece
UK Embassy
Recent updates
Entry requirements
6 days ago
Entry/Exit System (EES)
- The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being implemented across the Schengen area.
- It's explicitly stated that EES is replacing the previous system of manually stamping passports for short stays.
Passport validity
- The warning about passport validity has been strengthened. Passports renewed before 1 October 2018 with an issue date over 10 years ago are now explicitly stated as 'invalid for entry to the Schengen area'.
Frequently asked questions
While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, AtoBeach cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. We recommend verifying details with official sources before travelling.