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Greece

General Information

Capital City:
Athens
Population:
11.30 million
Area:
50,942 square miles
Language:
Greek. English is widely spoken
Electricity:
220V AC 50Hz
Direct Dial:
30
Driving:
Driving is on the right. EU driving licence valid for 1 year. Minimum driving age is 18
Currency:
Euro (EUR 1 = 100 Cents)

Business Hours

Bank:
0800-1430 Mon-Thur, 0800-1400 Fri
Office:
0800-1500 Mon-Fri
Shops:
0800-1430 Mon, Wed & Sat, 0800-1400 & 1730-2030 Tue, Thur & Fri, 0800-2100 Mon-Fri, 0800-2000 Sat (Supermarkets 0800-2000 Mon-Fri, 0800-1800 Sat), (large Department stores), 0900-1500 Mon, Wed & Sat, 0900-2000 Tue, Thur & Fri
Public Holidays:
<b>2012</b> 01 Jan : New Year's Day 06 Jan : Epiphany 25 Mar : Independence Day 13 Apr : Orthodox Good Friday 16 Apr : Orthodox Easter Monday 01 May : Labor Day 28 May : Orthodox Whit Monday 15 Aug : Assumption 28 Oct : Ochi Day 25 Dec : Christmas Day 26 Dec : Boxing Day

Business and social hints

General:
Many executives speak a second language. At meetings Greek coffee will be offered. People often use gestures when speaking. Head nodding or up and down movement may indicate - no. Smoking is generally accepted but is restricted in public buildings and on public transport. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants, be reasonably punctual and dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. The minimum drinking age is 18 years
Tipping:
Around 10% in restaurants & for taxis
Clothing:
Lightweights during summer with light sweaters for evenings, mediumweights with rainwear for winter although heavyweights may be required for the north
Emergency Services:
Police: 100 (all large cities), 109 (Athens suburbs), 171 (Tourist Police). Fire: 199 (Athens). Ambulance: 166
Hotel Classification:
The National Tourism Organisation of Greece is in the process of changing to the internationally accepted star-rating system for hotels, with apartments classified according to a key-rating system from 1 to 4 keys. Since the relevant classification process with the new system has not yet been completed some hotels will still show the old classification system (Lux correspond to 5 *****, A class to 4****, B class to 3***, C class to 2** and D and E classes to 1*)

Climate

Summers are warm/hot with a distinct three month dry period. The wettest season is winter when it is generally mild although cold spells can occur. Snow in winter in the mountain regions is frequent and not uncommon elsewhere although it is rare on the islands. Spring and autumn are short seasons with changeable weather

Athens

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum Temperature °C 13 13 16 19 25 29 32 32 28 23 18 14
Minimum Temperature °C 7 6 8 11 16 19 23 22 19 16 11 8
Average Humidity (mornings) % 77 77 74 70 66 61 53 53 60 77 77 79
Average Humidity (afternoons) % 62 61 54 47 44 40 32 33 38 52 60 63
Average Rainfall 61 38 37 22 23 14 6 7 15 50 56 70

Customs

Import Allowances:
For persons of 17 years of age or older: 1) Travellers entering from EU countries - import is therefore frre (goods obtained duty & tax paid - guidance levels): a) 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars & 1 kg of tobacco b) 10 lit of spirits over 22%, 20 lit of fortified wine less than 22%, 90 lit of wine (of which, a max of 60 lit of sparkling wine) & 110 lit of beer c) perfumes - no limit d) Medicinal products - no limit provided it's the amount required to meet the traveller's own needs 2) Travellers entering from non-EU countries (including Canary Islands, Channel Islands & Gibraltar): a) 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250gr of tobacco b) 1 lit of spirits of more than 22% proof or 2 lit of dessert wine up to 22% proof c) 2 lit of still wines d) 50gr of perfume & 0.25 lit of eau de toilette e) Other goods to the value of EUR 430 (EUR 150 for travellers under 15 years) f) Medicinal products - no limit provided it's the amount required to meet the traveller's own needs
Contraband:
Firearms of any kind, narcotics, plants with soil, Products of animal origin

Health

Participant of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC scheme) which allows visitors on short-term stays to other member countries to use the public health care sector for free or reduced-cost medical treatment and emergency care. EHIC replaces the E111 form. <b>Please note:</b> The EHIC scheme is not an alternative to travel insurance. It will <b>not</b> cover any private medical healthcare or the cost of things such as mountain rescue in ski resorts repatriation to the UK lost or stolen property etc. For full details on eligibility and how to apply for a card visit www.nhs.uk or click<a href="https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do"> here</a>

Compulsary Vaccinations
Yellow fever certificate required aged 6 months and over, entering from an endemic or area with risk of yellow fever transmission. Infants less than 6 months old are exempt if the maternal certificate shows that the mother was vaccinated before the birth of the child.
Recommended Immunisations
None required, however for those travelling to Greece frequently or intending to spend extended time there, Tetanua, Hepatitis B <i>(Not Normally For Package Tourists)</i> & Tick-Borne Encephalitis (Thessaloniki area) should be considered.
Risks
None. <b>GENERAL INFO FOR ALL TRAVELLERS:</b> Details listed can occasionally change at very short notice and it's recommended that all travellers seek advice from their Practice Nurse, GP or Travel Clinic when planning a visit to Greece. It should be noted that some vaccinations and treatments may require one or more visits and should be planned well in advance of travel. Primary courses and boosters should always be up to date as recommended for life in the UK. This should include vaccines given to special groups due to complications or risk exposure such as Hepatitis B for health care workers, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for the elderly etc.

Immigration and Passport

Passports and passport replacing documents must be valid for at least three months after the period of intended stay. Exempt: a) Greek nationals may enter with documents valid on arrival. b) Nationals of EU member states may enter with documents valid for the duration of their stay.

The following DO NOT require a visa: 1) Nationals of Greece. 2) For an unrestricted length of stay by: a) Holders of British passports endorsed "British Citizen" and "British Nationals Overseas" b) Holders of passports issued by Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland (Rep of), Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden. 3) For tourist stays up to 90 days by: a) Nationals of Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Iceland, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico Monaco, Montenegro (Biometric Passports), New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Kitts And Nevis, San Marino, Serbia (Biometric Passports) Seychelles, Singapore, Switzerland, Former Yugoslav Republic Of Macedonia (Biometric Passports), United States Of America, Uruguay, Venezuela. Nationals not listed above require a visa.

Entry requirements may change from time to time and should be checked with the Greek Embassy or Consulate General of Greece.

Useful Contacts

Embassy

Embassy of Greece 1a Holland Park London W11 3TP tel. +44 20 7229 3850 fax. +44 20 7229 7221 website: www.greekembassy.org.uk hours: Monday-Friday 09.30-1300 Visas and Consular Affairs inquiries Tel. + 44 (20) 7313 5600 Fax. + 44 (20) 7243 3202

Airports

  • Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Intl
  • Chania (Crete)
  • Chios
  • Corfu (Kerkyra)
  • Heraklion (Crete)
  • Ikaria
  • Kalamata (Peloponnese)
  • Karpathos
  • Kavala
  • Kefalonia (Kefallinia)
  • Kithira
  • Kos
  • Milos
  • Mykonos
  • Naxos
  • Paros
  • Preveza/Lefkas
  • Rhodes
  • Samos
  • Santorini (Thira)
  • Skiathos
  • Thessaloniki (Salonika)
  • Volos
  • Zakynthos (Zante)

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