Greece - Country Information

Film Commissions

Hellenic Film Commission Office
Tel: 210 323 44 14 Fax: 210 323 44 44
E-mail: info@hfco.gr
Website: www.hfco.gr
Director: Markos Holevas

Permits
These can be arranged by local agents.

Tax breaks/incentives
Available.

Recent Productions
The Canary Yellow Bicycle, The Cherry Orchard, Innocent.

General Information

Location: Europe
Local Time: From 30 Mar 07 to 26 Oct 08 GMT +3
From 26 Oct 08 to 29 Mar 09 GMT +2
From 29 Mar 09 to 25 Oct 09 GMT +3
Capital City: Athens
Population: 11 million
Area: 131,940 square km, 50,942 square miles.
Language(s): Greek. English is widely spoken
Dialling Code: 30
Emergency: Police: 100 (all large cities), 109 (Athens suburbs), 171 (Tourist Police). Fire: 199 (Athens). Ambulance: 166
Directory Enquiries: 131
TV Standard: SECAM
Driving: Driving is on the right. EU driving licence valid for 1 year. Minimum driving age is 18
Electricity: 220V AC 50Hz

Business & Currency

Currency: Euro (EUR 1 = 100 Cents)
Notes: EUR: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500
Coins: EUR: 1, 2. Cents: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50

Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Credit cards and travellers cheques widely accepted

Opening Hours
Bank: 0800-1430 Mon-Thur, 0800-1400 Fri
Office: 0800-1500 Mon-Fri
Shops: 0800-1430 Mon, Wed & Sat, 0800-1400 & 1730-2030 Tue, Thur & Fri, 0800-2100 Mon-Fri, 0800-2000 Sat (Supermarkets 0800-2000 Mon-Fri, 0800-1800 Sat), (large Department stores), 0900-1500 Mon, Wed & Sat, 0900-2000 Tue, Thur & Fri

Public Holidays
2008
Jan 1 New Years Day, Jan 6 Epiphany, Mar 10 Orthodox Shrove Monday, Mar 25 Independence Day, Apr 25 Orthodox Good Friday, Apr 28 Orthodox Easter Monday, May 1 Labour Day, Jun 16 Day of the Holy Spirit, Aug 15 Assumption, Oct 28 Ochi Day, Dec 25 Christmas Day, Dec 26 Boxing Day

Business/Social Hints: Many executives speak a second language. At meetings Greek coffee will be offered. People often use gestures when speaking. Head nodding or up and down movement may indicate - no. Smoking is generally accepted but is restricted in public buildings and on public transport. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants, be reasonably punctual and dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. The minimum drinking age is 18 years

Tipping: Around 10% in restaurants & for taxis

Health

Reciprocal health: Participant of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC scheme) which allows visitors on short-term stays to other member countries to use the public health care sector for free or reduced-cost medical treatment and emergency care.

Compulsory vaccinations: Yellow fever certificate if arriving from infected areas. Exempt infants under 6 months.

Recommended immunisations: None, however check travellers have up to date tetanus & polio immunisations, long-term visitors should consider hepatitis A immunisation.

Risks:

Airports

Passport & Visa

The following details relate to holders of adult normal passports (requirements for children may be different), if any other type of passport or travel document is held, entry requirements should be checked with the relevant embassy or consulate

Passports

Required, but NOT by the following:
1) Holders of passports expired a maximum of 5 years issued to nationals of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain & Switzerland

Passport Validity: 1) British & EU Citizens must have passport valid for duration of stay
2) All other nationals should contact nearest embassy/consulate

Passport Notes:

Visas

The following DO NOT require a visa:
1) Nationals of Greece
a) Holders of British passports with `United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
2) Nationals of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
3) For stays up to 3 months by:
a) Holders of British passports with United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
(However, if passport issued in Hong Kong max stay of 1 month permitted)
b) Nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (Macao, S.A.R), Iceland, Israel, Japan, Korea (South), Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City & Venezuela

Air Transit

Required by all except those as noted above and:
1) Persons in transit by air who continue their journey within 4-5 hours and do not leave the airport or change terminals

Exit Permits

Special Notes

1) All visitors must hold sufficient funds for length of stay, it is also recommended that visitors hold onward/return tickets, except nationals of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland Rep, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden & United Kingdom
2) Member of Schengen Visa Agreement, however we strongly recommend that travellers make enquiries prior to travel with the appropriate embassies of the countries within the agreement which they plan to visit
3) Registration within 48 hours at the Aliens Department is required for nationals of Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, China, Cuba, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Korea (North), Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan & Vietnam & those passengers travelling with a Schengen Visa

Climate

Summers are warm/hot with a distinct three month dry period. The wettest season is winter when it is generally mild although cold spells can occur. Snow in winter in the mountain regions is frequent and not uncommon elsewhere although it is rare on the islands. Spring and autumn are short seasons with changeable weather

Clothing

Lightweights during summer with light sweaters for evenings, mediumweights with rainwear for winter although heavyweights may be required for the north

Charts for Athens

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Max Temp (C) 13 13 16 19 25 29 32 32 28 23 18 14 Min Temp (C) 7 6 8 11 16 19 23 22 19 16 11 8 Humidity am (%) 77 77 74 70 66 61 53 53 60 77 77 79 Humidity pm (%) 62 61 54 47 44 40 32 33 38 52 60 63 Rainfall (mm) 61 38 37 22 23 14 6 7 15 50 56 70

Temperature (C) Rainfall (mm) Humidity (%)

Representative

UK Tourist Office
Greece National Tourism Organisation
4 Conduit Street
London, W1S 2DJ
tel: +44 20 7495 9300
fax: +44 20 7287 1369
e-mail: info@gnto.com
website: www.gnto.gr

Embassy
Consulate General of Greece
1a Holland Park
London, W11 3TP
tel: +44 20 7221 6467, 0900 117 1202* (visa enq)
fax: +44 20 7243 3202
e-mail: consulategeneral@greekembassy.org.uk
website: www.greekembassy.org.uk
hours: 0930-1300 (Mon-Fri) lodging, 1200-1300 (Mon-Fri) collection
* calls cost 60p per minute