smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
Greece
| Greece overall | This Advice is current for Thursday, 08 January 2009. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. The overall level of the advice has not changed.
![[top]](/zwiki/images/page_top.gif)
We advise you to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in Greece because of the risk of terrorist attack. Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
Groups opposed to the Greek Government, Greek institutions, Western commercial and diplomatic interests have firebombed government and commercial buildings in Greece.
Violent rioting has taken place in Athens and other Greek cities, including Thessaloniki, since 6 December. The situation remains volatile and protests are continuing. Australians should exercise particular care in the centre of Athens, Thessaloniki and other major cities. You should avoid all protests and demonstrations as they may become violent.
Crime, including pickpocketing and bag snatching, can take place in tourist areas and on public transport.
You should exercise caution when walking alone and avoid, where possible, secluded areas after dark. Tourists have been the victims of serious assault, including sexual assault in Greece, including in Athens, and on the Greek Islands.
In recent years people have been killed as a result of accidents and poor safety standards on regional buses and ferries. Use of reputable bus and ferry operators may reduce associated risks.
A valid Australian driver licence and an international driver licence are both required to legally operate a vehicle in Greece. Driving in Greece can be hazardous due to aggressive driving practices and poorly maintained roads and vehicles. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.
When travelling by motorcycle or motor scooter, it is a legal requirement that both the operator and any passengers wear a helmet. Failure to do so could invalidate your travel insurance if you are involved in an accident.
You are legally required to carry identification documents with you at all times. Your passport will meet this requirement.
Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.
If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.
The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.
Greece is in an active seismic zone. Information on natural disasters, including earthquakes and volcanic activity, can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service.
Bush and forest fires often occur during the summer months in Greece (usually June to September), particularly in heavily forested regions. In the event of fire, updates in English are available from local authorities by calling +30 210 324 8098.
If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice and obey instructions of local authorities.
Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.
When you are in Greece, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
It is a requirement to carry identification (such as a photocopy of your passport) at all times.
Driving offences attract heavy penalties.
Penalties for all drug offences, even for possession of small amounts, include heavy fines and imprisonment.
Possession of offensive weapons, such as knuckledusters or knives with a length of 10 cm or over, can lead to imprisonment.
It is illegal to photograph military installations and military personnel.
Indecent behaviour, such as indecent exposure, is not tolerated in Greece and penalties include heavy fines and prison sentences.
The export of Greek antiquities is subject to strict customs regulations. Penalties for illegally exporting antiquities range from large fines to prison terms. Further advice can be obtained from the Greek Ministry of Culture or the nearest Greek Embassy or Consulate.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.
Be aware that all areas of Greece enforce a public quiet time between 3 pm and 6 pm for siesta. Police may be called to enforce this custom.
Australian /Greek dual nationals should be aware the Greek Government introduced a new series of passports in 2007 and old style Greek passports issued before 1 January 2006 ceased to be valid from midnight on 31 December 2006. Greek/Australian dual nationals should ensure that they travel on the new series of Greek Passports and/or a valid Australian passport. Holders of old-style Greek passports issued before 1 January 2006 should contact the nearest Greek Embassy or Consulate if they wish to obtain a new Greek passport.
Australian/Greek dual national males, or those of Greek descent born outside of Greece, could be subject to compulsory military service and other obligations. Under the Greek Military Penal Code there are penalties for non-compliance. Adult male travellers who hold, or may be eligible for Greek citizenship, are strongly advised to seek further information and advice from the nearest Greek Embassy or Consulate, well in advance of travel.
Our brochure on Travel Information for Dual Nationals provides further information for dual nationals.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Greek Embassy or Consulate for the most up to date information.
Greece is a party to the Schengen Convention, along with 24 other European countries, which allows Australians to enter Greece without a visa in some circumstances. For further information read our travel bulletin on the Schengen Convention. Australians may, for a fee, apply to extend their stay in Greece at a local Kentro Allodapon (Aliens Centre).
People travelling directly to or from a country outside the European Union (EU) carrying 10,000 euros or more (or the equivalent amount in another currency) are required to declare the cash at the place of their arrival or departure from the EU. Under the legislation, the term "cash" includes cheques, travellers' cheques and money orders. Travellers failing to declare the cash or providing incomplete or incorrect information will incur a fine. There is no requirement to declare cash for people travelling to or from another EU country.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while travelling overseas.
The standard of medical facilities in Greece varies from adequate to international standard. Private hospital costs are expensive. In the event of a serious illness or accident, particularly when in a remote country area or on a Greek island, medical evacuation to Athens, or to another destination with the required facilities, might be necessary. Costs could be considerable.
Outbreaks of food-borne diseases (including hepatitis and brucellosis) occur from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We recommend you avoid raw and undercooked food, and avoid unpasteurised dairy products.
Travel in rural and forested areas brings the risk of exposure to tick-borne diseases (such as tick-borne encephalitis and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever). Ticks are particularly active from spring to autumn. We recommend you take measures to avoid tick bites, including using insect repellent, when visiting these areas.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
In Greece, you can obtain consular assistance from the:
Australian Embassy
Thon Building, Level 6
Cnr. Kifisias and Alexandras Ave.
Ambelokipi
Athens 115 23 GREECE
Telephone +30 210 870 4000
Facsimile +30 210 870 4055
Website www.greece.embassy.gov.au
Limited consular assistance, which does not include the issue of Australian passports, may be obtained from:
Australian Honorary Consul
28 Archeologikou Mouseiou Street
Thessaloniki 546 41 GREECE
Telephone +30 2310 827 494
Facsimile +30 2310 827 494
If you are travelling to Greece, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the Embassy you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
