Greece remains a safe and welcoming destination for travelers in 2025, with the U.S. State Department maintaining its Level 1 travel advisory, meaning visitors should exercise normal precautions. As of October 23, 2025, this lowest risk rating reflects Greece's stable political climate, low violent crime rates, and well-developed tourism infrastructure that continues to attract visitors from around the world.

However, listeners planning trips to Greece should be aware of several important considerations. The country experienced seismic activity near Santorini in early 2025, with multiple earthquakes recorded in the Aegean Sea. While authorities declared a state of emergency and implemented precautionary measures, seismologists confirmed these tremors were linked to undersea fault lines rather than volcanic activity. Santorini's famous caldera remains stable, and no significant damage has been reported. The situation continues to be closely monitored by Greek authorities.

For water-based activities, listeners should exercise particular caution. Beaches in Greece are generally well-supervised with excellent safety procedures, but tidal changes and strong winds can create hazardous currents and riptides. Coral, sea urchins, jellyfish, and other aquatic life pose potential dangers, so wearing reef shoes and obeying warning flags at beaches is essential. Quad biking and motorcycle accidents have caused serious injuries and deaths among international visitors, making specialized travel insurance for these activities crucial since they're often excluded from standard policies.

Petty crime such as pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas including public transport, markets, and major tourist attractions, though serious crimes against tourists remain rare. Women travelers should avoid accepting rides from strangers or casual acquaintances, as foreigners have been sexually assaulted, particularly on the islands.

A new development affecting all non-EU nationals, including American and Australian travelers, is the implementation of the European Entry/Exit System beginning in early 2025. This system requires visitors to register at borders and have their fingerprints and photos taken, with potential for longer queues at border crossings.

Additionally, Greece has instituted increased tourism taxes on accommodations effective January 1, 2025, which listeners should factor into their travel budgets. During summer months, extreme temperatures and wildfires affect many areas of Greece, including locations near cities and popular tourist sites, requiring visitors to follow local authority guidance.

Listeners planning visits to Greece should ensure routine vaccinations are current, stay hydrated, use sunscreen, and remain informed about local guidelines and any demonstration activities that occasionally occur in major cities like Athens and Thessaloniki. Despite these considerations, Greece continues to offer a safe travel experience with its stable governance, responsive law enforcement, and strong hospitality infrastructure that welcomes millions of international visitors annually.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI