FAQ about border with Greece

Greek Border Police:

• Website: www.mfa.gr
• Hotline: 100 (police)

Ukrainian Embassy in Athens:

• Website: greece.mfa.gov.ua
• Phone: +30 (21) 6722-9315

Road Information:

• Greek Motorway Network: www.roadprogress.gr (road conditions)

Fuel prices (December 2025, approximate):

• Petrol 95: ~€1.65–1.75/litre
• Diesel: ~€1.50–1.60/litre
• LPG: ~€0.75–0.85/litre

Comparison:

• Cheaper than France (~€0.10/L)
• Similar to Spain
• More expensive than Bulgaria (~€0.30/L)

💡 Tip: Fill up in Bulgaria before entering Greece — save ~€15–20 per full tank.

Greece has moderate fines (lower than France):

⚠️ Important: Fines can be paid on the spot (to police) or at a post office. Speed cameras are common on motorways.

🇺🇸🇨🇦🇬🇧 Requirements for USA, Canada, UK citizens:

• ✅ Visa-free regime — up to 90 days in 180
• ✅ Passport (valid 3+ months after exit)
• ✅ EES registration — from October 12, 2025!
• ✅ ETIAS — from 2026 (€7, online, 3 years)

Recommended: Proof of accommodation, return ticket, insurance.

Speed limits in Greece:

⚠️ Note: Speed cameras are common on motorways. Fines can be paid on the spot or at a post office.

🇷🇺 Requirements for Russian citizens:

• ⚠️ Schengen visa MANDATORY
• ✅ Valid international passport
• ✅ Invitation or booking confirmation
• ✅ Medical insurance (€30,000)
• ✅ Proof of financial means

⚠️ Important: Visa application processing may take longer due to current restrictions. It's recommended to apply 2-3 months before travel.

Best days of the week:

• 🟢 Best: Tuesday–Wednesday (low traffic)
• 🟡 Average: Monday, Thursday
• 🔴 Avoid: Friday evening, Saturday morning, Sunday evening

Best time of day:

• 🟢 Best: 6:00–8:00 (very early morning)
• 🟡 Acceptable: 10:00–14:00 (between peaks)
• 🔴 Avoid: 8:00–10:00 (commuters), 17:00–20:00 (returns)

Seasonal features:

• 🔴 Summer (July–August): WORST PERIOD — Kakavia (AL–GR) up to 2–3 hours!
• ✅ Promachonas–Kulata (BG–GR): minimal queues always (5–20 min)
• 🟢 Off-season (April–May, September–November): best period — 5–50 min

🇺🇦 Requirements for Ukrainian citizens:

• ✅ Visa-free regime — up to 90 days in any 180 days
• ✅ Biometric passport (valid 3+ months after exit)
• ✅ EES registration — from October 12, 2025! (first entry: 10-20 min)
• ✅ ETIAS — from 2026 (€7, online, valid 3 years)

Recommended documents:

• Proof of purpose (hotel booking, invitation)
• Finances: minimum €90/day
• Medical insurance: €30,000 coverage
• Return ticket

💡 Tip: Promachonas–Kulata (via Bulgaria) — fastest crossing (5–20 min, no controls!).

Greece has 4 land borders:

1. 🇧🇬 BULGARIA → GREECE (fastest! 🆓)

• Promachonas–Kulata (A1/E90) — FASTEST IN GREECE! 5–20 minutes ⭐
• ✅ From January 1, 2025: NO controls (both in Schengen!)
• Nevrokopi–Exochi — mountain route, 10–30 min

2. 🇲🇰 NORTH MACEDONIA → GREECE

• Qafe Bote–Mavromati — 15–45 min
• Qafe Thane–Kafsan — 20–50 min

3. 🇦🇱 ALBANIA → GREECE (tourist, summer jams! 🔴)

• Kakavia–Konitsa — 20–180 min (up to 2–3 hours in summer!)
• Sagiada–Igoumenitsa — 30–90 min (08:00–22:30)

4. 🇹🇷 TURKEY → GREECE (EU external border!)

• Pazarkule–Kastanies — 30–90 min (strict control!)
• Karaağaç–Pythio — 20–60 min

Greece's advantages as a tourist gateway:

1. 🟢 FASTEST BULGARIAN CROSSING

• Promachonas–Kulata: 5–20 minutes
• Finally NO Bulgarian controls (from January 1, 2025!)

2. 💰 PAY-PER-USE (NOT vignette)

• Pay only what you drive
• Unlike vignette — fixed price

3. 🌉 RIO–ANTIRIO BRIDGE

• World's longest cable-stayed bridge (2883 m)
• €13.20 separate toll (expensive but impressive!)

4. ✅ EES ACTIVE

• Greece among first countries (October 12, 2025)
• Airports and borders ready

5. 🔴 ALBANIAN TOURIST JAMS

• Kakavia: up to 2–3 hours in summer
• NOT for those in a hurry!

✅ EES ACTIVE FROM OCTOBER 12, 2025!

EES (Entry/Exit System) — EU automated system for registering biometric data of foreigners.

First entry:

• Present passport
• Take photo (look at camera)
• Provide 10 fingerprints
• Time: 10–20 minutes

Subsequent entries: Automatic recognition, 2–5 minutes.

Validity: Data stored for 3 years (no need to re-register!).

⚠️ Does not apply to: EU/EEA citizens — they do NOT register in EES.

⚠️ CRITICAL: Greece uses PAY-PER-USE TOLLS, NOT electronic vignette!

Payment system:

• ✅ Toll gates on motorways
• ✅ Ticket at entry → Pay at exit
• ✅ Cash or card
• ✅ 7 different operators (PAOK, Attiki Odos, etc.)

Example prices 2025 (cars):

• Athens → Thessaloniki (A1): €18–24
• Rio-Antirio Bridge: €13.20 (most expensive in Greece!)
• Aktio-Preveza Tunnel: €3.00
• Athens → Corinth (A7): €5–8

PAY-PER-USE advantage: Pay only what you drive (unlike vignette — fixed price).

Depends on citizenship:

🟢 EU/EEA citizens (31 countries): NO visa needed. ID card or passport sufficient. Unlimited stay.

🟢 Visa-free countries (60+): Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, USA, Canada, UK, Australia — up to 90 days in 180. Biometric passport required (valid 3+ months) + EES registration (from October 12, 2025!).

🔴 Visa required: Russia, Belarus, Turkey, China — Schengen visa mandatory.

Recommended documents: proof of purpose, finances (€90/day), insurance (€30,000 coverage), return ticket.