Safety and security

Social unrest

The political situation in Greece is reasonably stable but there can be occasional outbreaks of social unrest. Strikes and demonstrations which can affect visitors travel plans are a common occurrence in Greece.

If a demonstration is in progress it is best to avoid central areas of Athens, particularly areas around Syntagma Square (Constitution Square), where the Parliament Building is located and where most demonstrations terminate.

Always keep yourself informed of what’s going on around you by monitoring local media and staying in contact with your hotel or tour organiser.

Crime

Crime is relatively low in Greece as a whole but pickpocketing is common in central Athens. Always take sensible precautions:

• Be aware that the tourist season attracts an increase in incidents of theft of passports, wallets, handbags etc. - particularly in areas and at events where crowds gather. You should leave valuables in safe custody at your hotel or apartment.
• Be particularly vigilant when using public transport. In Athens, we recommend visitors take extra care of their personal belongings when using buses or the metro; especially when travelling to and from the airport or the port of Piraeus. Don't carry your credit card, travel tickets and money together - leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place. Consider wearing your rucksack on your front, and do not leave valuables in accessible pockets.
• Don't carry your passport unless absolutely necessary. Leave a copy of your passport (and travel and insurance documents) with family or friends at home, and consider keeping a photo of important documents on your phone or in your emails.

Personal attacks, including sexual assaults and rape, are infrequent in Greece. However, there is a higher incidence of sexual assault and rape on some Greek Islands. We advise that you do not accept drinks from strangers or leave drinks unattended when in bars or nightclubs. We also recommend that you avoid walking alone in isolated areas at night.

Reporting crime

If you’re a victim of a crime while in Greece, report it to the local police immediately. You can contact us at the Irish Embassy in Athens if you need help or guidance.

Earthquakes

Greece is located in an active seismic zone and tremors are common, although serious earthquakes are not so frequent. The following information from the Greek Ministry of Tourism sets out what to do in the event of an earthquake.

If you are inside a building

• Remain calm
• Take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture (table, desk etc.), get on your knees and hold on to the leg of the table or the desk
• If a sturdy piece of furniture does not exist, get on your knees in the middle the room, stay as low as possible and cover your head with your hands. Keep away from large glass surfaces such as windows, or furniture and objects that might hurt you.
• Do not try to leave the building.
• Do not get out on a balcony, if one exists

If you are in a tall building

• Keep away from glass windows and outer walls

If you are in a shopping mall or a big commercial store

• Remain calm
• Stay exactly where you are until the tremble comes to a stop
• Don’t get swept away by the running crowd rushing towards the exits because there is a high risk of being stepped over.

If you are outside

• Get away from places situated exactly underneath buildings or from places where there are telephone or electricity cables.
• If you are carrying a handbag, put it over your head in order to protect yourself.

If you are in a car

• Go to an open space and stop the car somewhere where it does not impede the circulation of other vehicles
• Keep away from tunnels or bridges

Forest Fires

Greece regularly experiences forest fires in the warmer months. While most of these fires do not affect residential areas, you should heed risk warnings and be vigilant if travelling in forested areas during the summer. If there is a forest fire near where you are staying, you should keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of the Greek authorities. See here for official information and advice on forest fires in Greece.

Driving

If you’re planning to drive in Greece, you should take extreme caution due to the very high incidence of road traffic accidents and different driving customs.

Vehicle hire

If you’re hiring a vehicle, we advise you not to hand over your passport as a form of security. If you’re allowing your passport to be photocopied, keep it in your sight at all times.

Check that you have adequate insurance and read the small print of the vehicle hire contract (particularly any waiver that will come into effect if the vehicle is damaged).

Motorcycles, scooters, mopeds and quadbikes

Every year, motorcycles, scooters, mopeds and quadbikes are associated with many serious accidents in Greece, often resulting in very serious or even fatal injury.

Failure to wear a crash helmet or to have the necessary driving license may invalidate your insurance if you are involved in an accident. Greek law requires you to wear a crash helmet on a scooter, moped or motorcycle. Quad bike riders require a full-face helmet (or non-full-face helmet plus goggles) under Greek law.

You should check that your travel insurance covers you for the relevant activity. Road insurance and a motorcycle license are also mandatory.

Pedestrians

Pedestrians should also be vigilant and aware that traffic will be coming from the opposite direction to Ireland. They should also take particular care when using pedestrian crossings at intersections; vehicles won’t necessarily stop when the signal indicates that pedestrians may cross the road.

Local laws and customs

Illegal drugs

Illegal drug use (no matter what the drug) carries stiff penalties, including fines and long prison terms.

Alcohol

Visitors should be aware that alcoholic spirits are sold in significantly larger measures in Greek bars and restaurants than in Ireland.

Public behaviour

High standards of public behaviour are the norm in Greece. While there’s greater tolerance in tourist resorts, Greek courts impose heavy fines or prison sentences on people who behave indecently in public.

Additional information

West Nile Virus 

Entry requirements (visa/passport)

Holders of valid Irish passports do not require an entry visa for Greece.

We recommend you take a number of photocopies of your passport, as this will assist in the event that your passport is lost or stolen. We also recommend that you carry photo ID or a copy of your passport with you at all times.

Travel Insurance

We can’t pay for emergency medical repatriation, repatriation of remains, or for expenses as a result of a personal emergency while you are abroad. If you buy an appropriate travel insurance policy, these costs will be covered, provided you haven’t broken the terms and conditions.

Buying comprehensive travel insurance can save you and your family a lot of money if something goes wrong. It will also ensure that you get the medical attention you need, when you need it. Hospital bills can quickly run into thousands of euro, and a medical evacuation back to Ireland can cost thousands more.

Not all policies are the same, and the cheapest one might be cheap for a reason. Make sure your policy covers all the activities you plan to do on your trip. Insurance Ireland recommend that you purchase a policy that provides a minimum medical cover of €1 million.

Emergency expenses

Your policy should cover:

• All medical care abroad, including evacuation by air ambulance, or other emergency procedures, and any other costs associated with an unexpected longer stay.
• Your entire trip, from departure to return. Consider an annual multi-trip policy if you’re making more than one trip in the year.   
• 24-hour emergency service and assistance.
• Personal liability cover (in case you’re sued for causing injury or damaging property).
• Lost and stolen possessions.
• Cancellation and curtailment.
• Any extra activities you intend to do that are excluded from standard policies (e.g. water sport activities such as jet skiing or other extreme sports).

Exclusions: You should know most insurance policies will not cover drink or drug-related incidents.

European Health Insurance Card

As an Irish resident you are entitled to get healthcare through the public system in countries of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland if you become ill or injured while on a temporary stay there. Ensure that you get or renew your EHIC (the new name for the E111) before you go, and remember, you need one for every person travelling in your group.

Apply for your EHIC and find out more information.

The EHIC is not a substitute for proper travel insurance provided by a reputable insurer. It doesn’t cover medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. Also, some private hospitals may not accept the EHIC, so you should check with the hospital administrator beforehand.

Vaccinations

Irish citizens don’t require any vaccinations when travelling to Greece.

Medical facilities

Citizens should be aware that the level of nursing care provided in most Greek public hospitals, particularly on the islands, is not as high as that provided in Ireland. Nurses deal solely with medical issues and do not provide assistance with cleaning and feeding.

In Greek society it generally falls on the family to provide for all non-essential care to the patient or, when needed, a privately paid nursing assistant. Citizens should ensure that their medical insurance cover will provide for private nursing care if required.