Country information for GreeceAnswers and questions and country information about Greece. Good to know stuff, before and during your visit to this amazing country!
Travel documents, Passport & Visa
In order to visit Greece you need to have the following travel documents:
-ID card in the case that your country of origin is a signatory to the Schengen Agreement, you may use your national ID to enter the country and you may stay for a three-month period. In these cases a passport is not necessary, although you will need it in a variety of other transactions, including currency exchange, shopping etc.
-Visa If your country is not a member of the Schengen Agreement, make sure you obtain further information from the Greek Embassy or Consulate in your country before your trip, or from your travel agency. In case you travel with Visa, make sure you also have suitable insurance coverage for emergency medical or other needs.
-Passport If your country of origin is one of the following non-EU countries, your passport allows you to visit Greece and remain in the country for up to three months (90 days) within a six-month period: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Vatican, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, USA, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Find out more on the official webpage of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
What currency does Greece have?
Greece is a Member-State of the European Union and uses its uniform currency – the Euro.
Greece, as is the case with the other Member-States of the E.U. uses eight coins as follows: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents or lepta in Greek and 1 and 2 Euros. The banknotes are issued in the following denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros.
Currency exchange rates are clearly displayed in every bank that accepts currency exchange, while credit card holders may acquire money from the ATMs of the collaborating banks.
Greek banks are open for the public from 8:00 to 14:30 Mondays to Thursdays and from 8:00 to 13:30 on Fridays. They are closed on Public Holidays.
Euros can also be exchanged for notes of other foreign currencies at exchange offices that are situated at the airport and certain main ports, in the larger cities, as well as at many tourist destinations. A passport is required when exchanging currencies.
Use of electronic devices
Electric power voltage in Greece is 230 V / 50 Hz and the plugs are F type. To avoid the danger of short circuit, make sure to have in your suitcase the necessary transformers / adaptors for your electronic devices or make sure that this will be provided by the relevant socket.
Consumer's Protection
During your stay in Greece, as a consumer you are protected throughout your transactions by the Greek legislation.
In case of omission or infringement of the above, you can call to Tourist Police in 1571 (24/7 in operation).
In the event you need to file a complaint, you may contact with the Hellenic Ministry of Tourism, sending an email in the following address: [email protected] (Pay attention, the dispatching of emails by the Ministry of Tourism in hotmail.com email addresses is temporarily impossible due to safety policies of the service provider).
Weather in Greece
In order to help you to choose which clothing and accessories to put in your suitcase for your trip to Greece, we provide you certain general information on the climate of our country!
Greece's climate is Mediterranean with long sunshine, mild temperatures and limited rainfalls. It is characterised by great variation, due to the country's geographic location, the intense relief and the distribution between the mainland and the sea.
In the summer, dry hot days are often cooled by seasonal winds that are called "etesian winds" while mountainous areas are more cool.
Winters are mild in the plains with little ice and snow, but the mountains are usually covered with snow.
In addition, it is a common phenomenon to combine different climate conditions in the same season (for instance mild heat near the sea and cool in the mountainous areas).
What is the official language in Greece? Do most people in Greece speak English?
Although the official language is Greek, a large majority of people in the tourist industry speaks English.
English is also part of the standard school curriculum, therefore, most Greek’s will have a good command of the English language as well as a few other languages as well (ex. French, German, Italian etc).
Greek is a particularly difficult language to pick up, so no one will be upset if you do not speak any Greek. Greeks are friendly people who are always eager to help and love it when they hear a stranger speaking their language (this is why we send you a list of common every day words and phrases you can use while you're here and interacting with the locals!)
So, when planning your trip to Greece, try to learn a few common Greek words like ‘please’ (parakalo), ‘thank you’ (efharisto) and ‘hello’ (yasou) and you will get a favourable response as you try to communicate with the locals.
Street signs in the cities are typically bilingual, but if you’re heading further afield, it’s worth learning the Greek alphabet as well, to help you navigate.
In which time zone is Greece?
Eastern European Time (EET), UTC +2
Eastern European Summer Time (EEST), UTC +3) starts March 28, 2021
What’s Greece’s calling code?
The country code for Greece is +30 which will allow you to make an international call to Greece from another country.
Greece telephone code 30 is dialed after the IDD (International Direct Dialing).
Greece’s country code +30 is followed by an area code and phone number.
Emergency Numbers
FIRST AID NATIONAL CENTER (Ambulances): 166
SOS DOCTORS : 1016
EUROPEAN EMERGENCY NUMBER: 112
POISONING PHONE CENTER: +30 210 77 93 777
FIRE AUTHORITY: 199
POLICE: 100
TOURIST POLICE: 1571
PET HOSPITAL: +30 20 6038023- 24 -28 (Attica Region).
Tipping in Greece
Tipping in Greece may be expected in most places, but it is by no means an obligation.
There is no set standard for how much to leave when service exceeds expectations, but there are certain times when it’s expected you’ll tip.
For instance, some restaurants may round up the bill to include gratuity, so it is wise to look for this inclusion before tipping.
Note that it’s also common for servers not to receive tips included on a credit card, so try to leave cash whenever possible so ensure the person you’re trying to tip actually receives the gratuity.
How To Tip In Greece
Cafe Server:
If there is a tip jar by the cash register, it’s a nice gesture to leave a couple of coins. For exceptional table service, round up to the nearest €1.
Restaurant Server:
A tip is typically expected, especially for stellar service, but some restaurants round up the bill to include gratuity. Check the bill first for these inclusions before deciding whether or not to tip. If there is no added tip, leave 5 to 10 percent, and a few coins on the table for the busser. You could also simply tell your waiter to keep the change as you pay.
Some restaurants may refuse gratuity for service, so if you’re unsure, you can certainly ask before tipping. There may be a “cover charge” on the bill, which covers the cost of bread and non-bottled water, but doesn’t include gratuity.
Bartender:
At bars, it’s not necessary to tip a bartender, as most do not expect it; but it is considerate to round to the nearest €1 for great service.
Tour Guides:
In Greece, it’s customary to tip tour guides. Tip €2 to €5 per person, per day for a group tour; and €20 to €25 per person, per day for a private tour, but the final choice is really up to you as there are no hard and fast rules here, and they will be grateful for any tip you choose to give them.
Travel documents, Passport & Visa
In order to visit Greece you need to have the following travel documents:
-ID card in the case that your country of origin is a signatory to the Schengen Agreement, you may use your national ID to enter the country and you may stay for a three-month period. In these cases a passport is not necessary, although you will need it in a variety of other transactions, including currency exchange, shopping etc.
-Visa If your country is not a member of the Schengen Agreement, make sure you obtain further information from the Greek Embassy or Consulate in your country before your trip, or from your travel agency. In case you travel with Visa, make sure you also have suitable insurance coverage for emergency medical or other needs.
-Passport If your country of origin is one of the following non-EU countries, your passport allows you to visit Greece and remain in the country for up to three months (90 days) within a six-month period: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Vatican, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, USA, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Find out more on the official webpage of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
What currency does Greece have?
Greece is a Member-State of the European Union and uses its uniform currency – the Euro.
Greece, as is the case with the other Member-States of the E.U. uses eight coins as follows: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents or lepta in Greek and 1 and 2 Euros. The banknotes are issued in the following denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros.
Currency exchange rates are clearly displayed in every bank that accepts currency exchange, while credit card holders may acquire money from the ATMs of the collaborating banks.
Greek banks are open for the public from 8:00 to 14:30 Mondays to Thursdays and from 8:00 to 13:30 on Fridays. They are closed on Public Holidays.
Euros can also be exchanged for notes of other foreign currencies at exchange offices that are situated at the airport and certain main ports, in the larger cities, as well as at many tourist destinations. A passport is required when exchanging currencies.
Use of electronic devices
Electric power voltage in Greece is 230 V / 50 Hz and the plugs are F type. To avoid the danger of short circuit, make sure to have in your suitcase the necessary transformers / adaptors for your electronic devices or make sure that this will be provided by the relevant socket.
Consumer's Protection
During your stay in Greece, as a consumer you are protected throughout your transactions by the Greek legislation.
In case of omission or infringement of the above, you can call to Tourist Police in 1571 (24/7 in operation).
In the event you need to file a complaint, you may contact with the Hellenic Ministry of Tourism, sending an email in the following address: [email protected] (Pay attention, the dispatching of emails by the Ministry of Tourism in hotmail.com email addresses is temporarily impossible due to safety policies of the service provider).
Weather in Greece
In order to help you to choose which clothing and accessories to put in your suitcase for your trip to Greece, we provide you certain general information on the climate of our country!
Greece's climate is Mediterranean with long sunshine, mild temperatures and limited rainfalls. It is characterised by great variation, due to the country's geographic location, the intense relief and the distribution between the mainland and the sea.
In the summer, dry hot days are often cooled by seasonal winds that are called "etesian winds" while mountainous areas are more cool.
Winters are mild in the plains with little ice and snow, but the mountains are usually covered with snow.
In addition, it is a common phenomenon to combine different climate conditions in the same season (for instance mild heat near the sea and cool in the mountainous areas).
What is the official language in Greece? Do most people in Greece speak English?
Although the official language is Greek, a large majority of people in the tourist industry speaks English.
English is also part of the standard school curriculum, therefore, most Greek’s will have a good command of the English language as well as a few other languages as well (ex. French, German, Italian etc).
Greek is a particularly difficult language to pick up, so no one will be upset if you do not speak any Greek. Greeks are friendly people who are always eager to help and love it when they hear a stranger speaking their language (this is why we send you a list of common every day words and phrases you can use while you're here and interacting with the locals!)
So, when planning your trip to Greece, try to learn a few common Greek words like ‘please’ (parakalo), ‘thank you’ (efharisto) and ‘hello’ (yasou) and you will get a favourable response as you try to communicate with the locals.
Street signs in the cities are typically bilingual, but if you’re heading further afield, it’s worth learning the Greek alphabet as well, to help you navigate.
In which time zone is Greece?
Eastern European Time (EET), UTC +2
Eastern European Summer Time (EEST), UTC +3) starts March 28, 2021
What’s Greece’s calling code?
The country code for Greece is +30 which will allow you to make an international call to Greece from another country.
Greece telephone code 30 is dialed after the IDD (International Direct Dialing).
Greece’s country code +30 is followed by an area code and phone number.
Emergency Numbers
FIRST AID NATIONAL CENTER (Ambulances): 166
SOS DOCTORS : 1016
EUROPEAN EMERGENCY NUMBER: 112
POISONING PHONE CENTER: +30 210 77 93 777
FIRE AUTHORITY: 199
POLICE: 100
TOURIST POLICE: 1571
PET HOSPITAL: +30 20 6038023- 24 -28 (Attica Region).
Tipping in Greece
Tipping in Greece may be expected in most places, but it is by no means an obligation.
There is no set standard for how much to leave when service exceeds expectations, but there are certain times when it’s expected you’ll tip.
For instance, some restaurants may round up the bill to include gratuity, so it is wise to look for this inclusion before tipping.
Note that it’s also common for servers not to receive tips included on a credit card, so try to leave cash whenever possible so ensure the person you’re trying to tip actually receives the gratuity.
How To Tip In Greece
Cafe Server:
If there is a tip jar by the cash register, it’s a nice gesture to leave a couple of coins. For exceptional table service, round up to the nearest €1.
Restaurant Server:
A tip is typically expected, especially for stellar service, but some restaurants round up the bill to include gratuity. Check the bill first for these inclusions before deciding whether or not to tip. If there is no added tip, leave 5 to 10 percent, and a few coins on the table for the busser. You could also simply tell your waiter to keep the change as you pay.
Some restaurants may refuse gratuity for service, so if you’re unsure, you can certainly ask before tipping. There may be a “cover charge” on the bill, which covers the cost of bread and non-bottled water, but doesn’t include gratuity.
Bartender:
At bars, it’s not necessary to tip a bartender, as most do not expect it; but it is considerate to round to the nearest €1 for great service.
Tour Guides:
In Greece, it’s customary to tip tour guides. Tip €2 to €5 per person, per day for a group tour; and €20 to €25 per person, per day for a private tour, but the final choice is really up to you as there are no hard and fast rules here, and they will be grateful for any tip you choose to give them.