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 & CurrencyCurrency: 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
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AirportsAthens Eleftherios Venizelos Intl (ATH) Chios (JKH) Heraklion N.Kazantzakis (HER) Ioannis Kapodistrias/Corfu International/Kerkyra (CFU) Kos Airport "Ippokratis" (KGS) Milos (MLO) Rhodes Diagoras (RHO) Samos (SMI) Thessaloniki Makedonia (SKG)
Passport & VisaThe 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 PassportsRequired, 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: VisasThe 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 TransitRequired 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 PermitsSpecial Notes1) 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
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