State Department: Greece - Consular Information Sheet, September 15, 1994
Greece - Consular Information Sheet
September 15, 1994
Country Description: Greece is a developed and stable democracy
with a modern economy. Tourist facilities are widely available.
Entry Requirements: A passport is required. A visa is not
required for tourist or business stays up to three months. An AIDS
test is required for performing artists and students on Greek
scholarships; U.S. test results are not accepted. For further
information concerning entry requirements to Greece, travelers can
contact the Embassy of Greece at 2221 Massachusetts Avenue, NW,
Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 939-5800, or the nearest
Consulate General in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, New Orleans,
New York, or San Francisco.
Medical Facilities: Medical facilities are available. U.S.
medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States.
Travelers have found that in some cases, supplemental medical
insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved to be useful.
Further information on health matters can be obtained from the
Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline on
(404) 332-4559.
Crime Information: Greece has a low rate of crime, but some
pickpocketing, purse-snatching, and luggage theft does occur in
Greece at popular tourist areas. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S.
passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the
nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The Department of State's
pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" is available from the Superintendent
of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC
20402. It provides useful information on guarding valuables and
protecting personal security while traveling abroad.
Terrorist Activities: Civil disorder is rare. However, there are
several active terrorist groups, including the "17 November"
organization, which at times has targeted U.S. Government and U.S.
commercial interests. Between 1975 and 1991, "17 November"
assassinated five Americans assigned to U.S. diplomatic or military
installations in Greece. Terrorists in Greece have seldom targeted
tourists.
Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the
country in which they are traveling. In Greece, penalties for
possession, use, and trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and
convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Arrestees
may spend up to 18 months in pretrial confinement.
Penalties for Customs Violations: Unauthorized purchase or removal
from Greece of antiquities, including pieces of archaeological
sites, is strictly forbidden. Penalties range from fines of several
hundred dollars to prison terms.
Dual Nationality: U.S. citizens who are also considered to be
Greek citizens could be subject to compulsory military service and
other aspects of Greek law while in Greece. Those who may be
affected can inquire at a Greek Embassy or consulate to determine
status. In some instances, dual nationality may hamper U.S.
Government efforts to provide protection abroad.
Driving: Visitors to Greece must be prepared to drive defensively.
Greece has the third highest fatal accident rate in Europe. High
casualty rates on Greek highways led to a recent toughening of
traffic laws and new increased traffic policepresence on major
roads. The use of motorbikes on the islands can be dangerous
because of heavy traffic and difficulty of the terrain. The
majority of U.S. citizen traffic casualties in Greece have involved
motorbikes. Owners of rental motorbikes are not required to carry
insurance coverage; the renter is liable for damages caused to the
rental vehicle and to property of third parties.
Registration: U.S. citizens who register at the Consular Section
of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate can obtain updated information on
travel and security in Greece.
Embassy and Consulate Locations: The U.S. Embassy in Athens is
located at 91 Vasilissis Sophias Boulevard, telephone (30)(1)
721-2951. The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy may be reached
at (30)(1) 721-8561. The U.S. Consulate in Thessaloniki is located
at 59 Leoforos Nikis, telephone (30)(31) 242-905.
No. 94-218
This replaces the Consular Information Sheet issued April 29, 1993,
to provide information on the penalties for removing antiquities
from Greece.
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