Greece

Have a safe trip with travel vaccines and advice from medical professionals.

Travel health and safety for Greece 🇬🇷

Greece, a land where ancient history meets the tranquil beauty of the Mediterranean. Prepare to be enchanted by its timeless allure.

Greece has over 6,000 islands and islets, each contributing to its unique cultural tapestry. The Greek language is one of the oldest continuously spoken languages in the world.

The olive tree holds a special place in Greek culture, serving as an emblem of the nation. Remarkably, some olive trees in Greece are believed to have graced the landscape for over 2,000 years, bearing witness to centuries of history.

Among the treasures of Greek heritage, it’s worth noting that Greece boasts more archaeological museums than any other country in the world. These institutions house a wealth of artifacts, offering a glimpse into its ancient past.

Greece invites you to explore its rich heritage and bask in the warmth of Mediterranean hospitality.

Travel Immunizations for Greece

What vaccines do I need for Greece? Get all the information and vaccinations you need to minimize travel health risks.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A virus can cause liver disease, and in rare cases, liver failure and death.

Can be spread by fecal-oral transmission, consuming contaminated food or water, or close, personal contact with an infected person.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and joint pain.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that targets the liver and may cause chronic infections.

Its primary mode of transmission is through direct blood-to-blood contact with an infected person. It can also be transmitted through unprotected sex or sharing needles.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting and joint pain.

Measles

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease. Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Spreads through respiratory droplets and direct contact with infected individuals.
Symptoms initially resemble a common cold, followed by a characteristic rash fever, cough, runny nose, small, white spots inside the mouth and throat red eyes, sleepiness, and irritability.

Rabies

Rabies is a viral infection transmitted through animal bites.

Symptoms may initially include fever, headache, and discomfort at the bite site, progressing to more severe neurological symptoms. Rabies is fatal if it is not treated before symptoms develop.
Rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available, therefore you may need to return to Canada for treatment.

We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the provided information, however, it is not feasible for us to update daily. Please book a virtual consultation with one of our Travel Medicine Professionals for current, personalized advice and answers to any questions you may have.

Health Canada strongly advises travelers ensure their routine vaccinations are up to date, including:

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Guards against the varicella-zoster virus, responsible for chickenpox.

Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP)

Protects against three different bacterial infections.

Flu (Influenza)

Vaccination against seasonal influenza strains is essential.

Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Provides immunity against all three diseases in one shot.

Polio

Essential for guarding against the poliovirus.

Shingles

Offers protection against a viral infection that causes painful rashes.

COVID-19

The ongoing pandemic necessitates adherence to vaccination guidelines and preventive measures.

Greece Concerns / Health Canada Recommendations

Traveler's Diarrhea

Most common illness for travelers, from consuming contaminated food & water

Affects up to 70% of travelers and risks minimized with good hygiene and safe food/drink choices (eg. avoid raw foods, ice in drinks).
Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, bloating.

Insect Bite Prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. Cover up and use insect repellents to protect against infection.

Over the Counter Medications for Travel to Greece

Pain Relief

Medications such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil) can be helpful for managing headaches, muscle pain, or fever.

Anti-Diarrheal Medications

It’s advisable to carry over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications like loperamide (e.g., Imodium) to treat mild cases of traveler’s diarrhea. However, it’s important to stay hydrated and seek medical attention if diarrhea persists or worsens.

Antacids

Antacids like Tums or Pepto-Bismol can provide relief from indigestion or heartburn, which can sometimes occur when trying new foods or experiencing changes in diet during travel.

Allergy Medications

If you have known allergies, carrying antihistamines like cetirizine(e.g., Reactine) or diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl) can help manage allergic reactions to environmental allergens or insect bites.

Motion Sickness Medications

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider carrying medication like dimenhydrinate (e.g., Gravol) to alleviate symptoms during long journeys or when traveling by car, train, or boat.

Sun Protection

It is essential to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF, wear hats, sunglasses, and lightweight, breathable clothing.

Medical Services and Facilities in Greece

Health care is adequate but varies throughout the country.
Facilities are generally good in cities such as Athens and Thessaloniki and in towns that have large hospitals, such as Heraklion, Ioannina, and Patras.
If you’re travelling to smaller islands or to remote areas, you may need a medical evacuation to a central hospital, in the event of serious illness or injury.
Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Consular Assistance in Greece

Athens - Embassy of Canada

Street Address: 48 Ethnikis Antistaseos Street, Chalandri, 152 31, Athens, Greece

Telephone: +30 210 727 3400

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.Canada.ca/Canada-And-Greece

Thessaloniki - Honorary consul of Canada

Street Address: 19, N. Kountouriotou Street, 546 25, Thessaloniki, Greece

Telephone: +30 2310 256350

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.Canada.ca/Canada-And-Greece

Emergency Services

In case of emergency, dial:

112 for emergency assistance
1571 for tourist police
100 for police

What Our Customers Are Saying

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