Greece remains one of Europe's safest destinations for travelers in 2025, with the country maintaining a Level 1 travel advisory that advises visitors to exercise normal precautions. The U.S. State Department reaffirmed this status as of October 23rd, 2025, confirming Greece's position among the safest European destinations for American travelers.

The Australian government's Smart Traveller service similarly advises exercising normal safety precautions in Greece, noting that the country has low crime rates and a stable political climate. Greece is ranked as low-risk on the latest Risk Map 2025, making it one of the most welcoming destinations in Europe for tourism.

However, listeners should be aware of several specific concerns highlighted in recent travel advisories. Petty crime remains common, particularly in popular tourist locations, crowded areas like public transport, markets, and major attractions. Travelers are advised to stay aware of their surroundings, safeguard valuables, use anti-theft bags, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash. While violent crimes against tourists are rare, pickpocketing and minor theft do occur regularly.

Demonstrations related to local political situations may occur with little notice, particularly in major cities like Athens and Thessaloniki. While these demonstrations are typically peaceful and well-managed by authorities, they can disrupt transportation and other essential services. Listeners are advised to stay informed about local news and avoid large gatherings.

Early 2025 brought seismic activity near the Cycladic islands, particularly around Santorini, where multiple earthquakes were recorded. Greek seismologists confirmed that this activity is linked to undersea fault lines rather than volcanic unrest, and Santorini's famous caldera remains stable with no anticipated eruption. The Greek government responded swiftly with precautionary measures, and no significant damage has been reported.

Extreme temperatures and wildfires affect many areas of Greece during summer months, potentially affecting areas close to cities and tourist locations. Listeners planning summer travel should follow the advice of local authorities regarding heat safety.

A critical safety concern involves quad bike and motorcycle accidents, which have caused serious injuries and deaths among Australian visitors to Greece. Those planning such activities need specific travel insurance, as quad biking is excluded from many standard policies.

Regarding entry requirements, all non-EU nationals, including Americans, Australians, and other foreign visitors, must now comply with the new European Entry/Exit System. As of October 12th, 2025, the EU began deploying this system incrementally, which will collect biodata including fingerprints and facial images from most foreign visitors at borders upon both arrival and departure. This rollout will occur gradually over a six months period, and listeners should expect longer border queues during this transition.

Additionally, travelers should be aware that Greece implemented an increased tourism tax effective January 1st, 2025, which varies by accommodation type and season and applies to hotels and short-term rentals like Airbnb.

Healthcare in Greece remains excellent for travelers, with high vaccination rates and improved infrastructure. The country has lifted most COVID-19 guidelines, with no testing or quarantine requirements for visitors. No special vaccinations are required for Greece travel, though routine immunizations should be current.

Overall, Greece continues to attract millions of visitors annually and maintains strong tourism infrastructure with well-equipped emergency services and responsive law enforcement, making it a secure choice for those planning European travel in 2025.

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