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Cars 4 Rental Information on Greece

General

Area: 131,957 sq km (50,949 sq miles).

Population: 11,018,400 (official estimate 2003).

Population Density: 83.5 per sq km.

Capital: Athens. Population: 745, 514 (2001).

GEOGRAPHY: Greece is situated in southeast Europe on the Mediterranean. The mainland consists of the following regions: Central Greece, Peloponnese, Thessaly (east/central), Epirus (west), Macedonia (north/northwest) and Thrace (northwest). Euboea, the second largest of the Greek islands, lying to the east of the central region, is also considered to be part of the mainland region. The Peloponnese peninsula is separated from the northern mainland by the Isthmus of Corinth. The northern mainland is dissected by high mountains (such as the Pindus) that extend southwards towards a landscape of fertile plains, pine-forested uplands and craggy, scrub-covered foothills. The islands account for one-fifth of the land area of the country. The majority are thickly clustered in the Aegean between the Greek and Turkish coasts. The Ionian Islands are the exception; they are scattered along the west coast in the Ionian Sea. The Aegean archipelago includes the Dodecanese, lying off the Turkish coast, of which Rhodes is the best known; the Northeast Aegean group, including Chios, Ikaria, Lemnos, Lesvos and Samos; the Sporades, off the central mainland; and the Cyclades, comprising 39 islands (of which only 24 are inhabited). Crete, the largest island, is not included in any formal grouping. For fuller descriptions of these regions and islands, see the Resorts & Excursions section.

Government: Republic. Head of State: President Konstantinos Stefanopoulos since 1995. Head of Government: Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis since March 2004.

Language: Greek (Ellenika). Most people connected with tourism and those of a younger generation will speak some English, French, German or Italian.

Religion: 97 per cent Greek Orthodox, with Muslim, Roman Catholic and Jewish minorities.

Time: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used.

Telephone

IDD is available throughout the mainland and islands. The Greek telecommunication network supplier is Organismos Telepikinonion Ellados (OTE). Country code: 30, followed by (10) for Athens, (310) for Thessaloniki and (810) for Heraklion. Outgoing international code: 00.

Mobile telephone

GSM 900 and 1800 networks exist. Coverage is good around the major towns on the mainland and on many islands. Main operators include Cosmote (website: www.cosmote.gr), Q-Telecom (www.quest.gr), Stet Hellas (website: www.tim.com.gr) and Vodafone (website: www.vodafone.gr).

Fax

Main post offices and large hotels have facilities.

Telegram

There are telegram facilities in main post offices and large hotels in all Greek cities and the major islands.

Internet

Internet cafes are available in the main cities, including Athens, Thessaloniki and the islands Crete, Kos, Mykonos, Rhodes and Skiathos. ISPs include Panafon, STET, Hellas Online (website: www.hol.gr) and Cosmote.

Post

All letters, postcards, newspapers and periodicals will automatically be sent by airmail. There are Poste Restante facilities at most post offices throughout the country. Advance notice is required at all Athens branches except for the central office at 180 Eolou Street. A passport must be shown on collection. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1400, Sat 0800-1330.

Press

There are numerous daily newspapers in Athens including Eleftherotypia, Kathimerini and Ta Nea. Athens Daily Post and Athens News are both published daily in English.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

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Money

Single European currency (Euro): The Euro is now the official currency of 12 EU member states (including Greece). The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002; the Greek Drachma was in circulation until 28 February 2002, when it was completely replaced by the Euro. Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2, 1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Currency exchange: Foreign currency can be exchanged at all banks, savings banks and bureaux de change. Exchange rates can fluctuate from one bank to another. Many UK banks offer differing exchange rates depending on the denominations of currency being bought or sold. Check with banks for details and current rates.

Credit & debit cards: American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and other major credit cards are widely accepted (although less so in petrol stations), as well as Eurocheque cards. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: All major currencies are widely accepted and can be exchanged easily at banks. Generally, banks in Greece charge a commission of 2 per cent with a minimum of €0.15 and a maximum of €13.21 on the encashment of travellers cheques. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.

Currency restrictions: The import of local and foreign currency is not restricted provided any amount exceeding €10,000 is declared on arrival. The export of local and foreign currency is allowed although amounts over €2000 require an Import Currency Declaration Form issued on arrival, and amounts over €10,000 require a Certificate of Tax Clearance or Currency Declaration Form (on import).

Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Euro against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date Nov ’03 Feb ’04 May ’04 Aug ’04
£1.00= 1.46 1.46 1.50 1.49
$1.00= 0.87 0.80 0.84 0.81

Banking hours: Mon-Thurs 0800-1430, Fri 0800-1400. Banks on the larger islands tend to stay open in the afternoon and some during the evening to offer currency exchange facilities during the tourist season. The GNTO bureau in Athens can give full details.

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Health

Special Precautions Certificate Required
Yellow Fever No 1
Cholera No No
Typhoid and Polio No N/A
Malaria No N/A

1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers over six months of age coming from infected areas.

Food & drink: Water quality varies from area to area, depending on the source, but in most regions is excellent. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are considered safe to eat.

Other risks: Visitors to forested areas should consider vaccination for tick-borne encephalitis.

Health care: There is a reciprocal health agreement with the United Kingdom, but it is poorly implemented and it is an essential precaution to take out holiday insurance. Refunds for medical treatment are theoretically available from the Greek Social Insurance Foundation on presentation of form E111 (see the Health appendix).
Local chemists can diagnose and supply a wide selection of drugs. There are often long waits for treatment at public hospitals. Hospital facilities on outlying islands are sometimes sparse, although many ambulances without adequate facilities have air-ambulance backup. For emergencies, ring 166 (public ambulance).

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Climate

Greece has a warm Mediterranean climate. In summer, dry hot days are often relieved by stiff breezes, especially in the north and coastal areas. Athens can be stiflingly hot, so visitors should allow time to acclimatise. The evenings are cool. Winters are mild in the south but much colder in the north. November to March is the rainy season.

Required clothing: Lightweight clothes during summer months, including protection from the midday sun. Light sweaters are needed for evenings. Rainproofs are advised for autumn. Winter months can be quite cold, especially in the northern mainland, so normal winter wear will be required.

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Passport/Visa

Passport Required Visa Required Return Ticket Required
British Yes No No
Australian Yes No Yes
Canadian Yes No Yes
USA Yes No Yes
OtherEU 1 No No
Japanese Yes No Yes

Note: Greece is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement. For further details about passport/visa regulations within the Schengen area, see the introductory section, How to Use this Guide.

Entry restrictions: (a) Greece refuses admission and transit to holders of passports issued by Bophutatswana, Ciskei, Transkei and Venda; holders of travel documents issued by Macedonia (Former Yugolslav Republic), unless accompanied by a special visa form; holders of Somalian passports issued after 23 January 1991; Norwegian Fremmedpass or Reisbevis; Ethiopian emergency passports; holders of travel documents issued by the area of Cyprus not controlled by the government of Cyprus; holders of UN laissez-passers; and holders of Turkish travel documents with visas or stamps indicating previous or planned visits to Cyprus. (b) Some nationals may have to register with the Aliens Department of the nearest police station within 48 hours of arrival. It is advised to contact the nearest Embassy/Consulate to determine whether this is necessary prior to travel.

Passport Passport valid for at least three months after period of intended stay required by all except:
(a) 1. EU/EEA nationals with a valid national ID card and with sufficient funds for their length of stay;
(b) nationals of EU states, Monaco and Switzerland with valid national ID cards;
(c) nationals of EU countries and Switzerland with passports valid for period of intended stay.

VISAS: Required by all except the following:
(a) nationals of the countries referred to in the chart above for a period of up to 90 days;
(b) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR) (blue and red passport holders), Iceland, Israel, Korea (Rep), Liechtenstein, Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela for up to 90 days;
(c) those continuing their journey to a third country within 48 hours provided holding tickets with reserved seats and other documents for their onward journey except: nationals of Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem Rep), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic and Turkey who always need a visa, even if transiting by the same aircraft.

Note: The following nationals always require an Airport Transit visa to transit through a Greek airport:
Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem Rep), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic and Turkey.

Types of visa and cost: A uniform type of visa, the Schengen visa is issued for tourist, business and private visits. There are three types of Schengen visa. Short-stay, Transit and Airport Transit: £22.50. Prices depend on exchange rates. Contact the Consulate/Consular section at Embassy for further details.

Note: Spouses and children of EU nationals (providing spouse’s passport and the original marriage certificate are produced), and nationals of some other countries, receive their visas free of charge (enquire at Embassy for details). Minors under 18 years should be accompanied by both parents. Otherwise, a letter from both parents or legal guardians is needed, authorising the minor to travel and stay in Greece, appointing a person responsible for the minor during stay (authenticated by man of law or consular officer of applicant's nationality), parents’ passports, birth certificate of the minor and proof of legal guardianship enclosed.

Validity: Short-stay (single- and multiple-entry): valid for six months from date of issue for stays of maximum 90 days per entry. Transit (single- and multiple-entry): valid for a maximum of five days per entry, including the day of arrival. Visas cannot be extended and a new application must be made each time.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section. Travellers visiting just one Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of that country; travellers visiting more than one Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of the country chosen as the main destination or the country they will enter first (if they have no main destination).

Application requirements: (a) Passport or travel document valid for at least three months after expiry date of visa, with blank pages to affix visa, showing valid Residence Permit. (b) Completed application form (signed by legal guardian in case of minors). (c) Two recent passport-size photos. (d) Fee (payable in cash or postal order only). (e) Return or onward ticket (necessary for transit and airport transit visas, which also require a visa for onward country to be submitted, if applicable) or proof of booking/itinerary from travel agent, both original and photocopy. If visiting friends or relatives, a letter duly certified by a police station in Greece must be submitted. (f) Proof of sufficient funds to cover stay (bank statement or travellers cheques). (g) Proof of reason for visit; a letter of reference from employer detailing wages, and letter of invitation from Greek company for business trips; a letter from school for school trip. If self-employed, a letter from a solicitor or an accountant. (h) Original and photocopy of proof of travel insurance to cover intended stay in Greece. (i) Transport documentation, eg air ticket, confirmed ferry booking or, if driving, registration document, proof of legal ownership of vehicle and insurance certificate. (j) Those who claim visas in the UK and live more than 200 miles from London do not have to collect their visas in person at the London Embassy but may supply a Special Delivery self-addressed envelope instead.

Note: Applications can be made in person only. Appointments must be made through the automated booking service for those residing in the UK and in the vicinity of London (tel: (09065) 540 744). A limited number of visas are issued each day on a first-come, first-served basis. All documents must be submitted both in their original form and with photocopy.

Working days required: At least three weeks.

Note: Nationals from the following countries should allow several weeks from the date of appointment for the processing of their application: Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Bahrain, Belarus, Burundi, China (PR), Colombia, Egypt, Georgia, Guinea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea (Dem Rep), Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Oman, Palestinian Authority passport holders, Pakistan, The Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Surinam, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan (China), Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

Temporary residence: Apply to the Aliens Department in Athens.

Important note: Persons arriving in and departing from Greece on a charter flight risk having the return portion of their ticket invalidated by the authorities if, at any time during their stay, they leave Greece and remain overnight or longer in another country.

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