dfat greece travel advice

• Our Ministers

Please be advised that the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Travel Advice is now available at Ireland.ie/travel. Travel Advice on this webpage is no longer being updated. To ensure you receive the latest Travel Advice for Greece , please see Ireland.ie .

If you’re travelling to Greece, our travel advice and updates give you practical tips and useful information.

Security Status

• Normal precautions
• High degree of caution
• Avoid non-essential travel
• Do not travel

Safety and Security

Local laws and customs, additional information, embassy contact.

Normal Precautions

Latest Travel Alert

Large-scales fires and extreme temperatures can affect a number of areas in Greece.

Travellers  should check with  their  travel operator or agency, or hotel, prior to travel to see if the area they  plan to visit is impacted by current wildfires and evacuations.

As wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable, Irish citizens should stay away from affected areas; comply with evacuation orders and follow instructions from the emergency service s , police and local authorities .

Stay fully informed of what is going on by monitoring local news and social media. Call the Greek Emergency Services on 112 if in immediate danger. Turn mobile phones on to roaming, to receive any alerts from local authorities.

Be aware that the air quality in areas near active fires may also deteriorate due to heavy smoke.

Anyone in need of consular assistance can call the Embassy of Ireland in Greece on +30 2107232771. If in Ireland, the Department of Foreign Affairs HQ can be contacted on 01 4082527.

See  here  for official information and advice on forest fires in Greece. You can also register for the Greek Government’s Emergency Communication Service, to get emergency alerts (see  here ).

The Department of Foreign Affairs also provides a dedicated webpage on  Natural Disasters  to equip citizens with information on extreme weather conditions which they may encounter during travel, such as forest fires and earthquakes.

General Travel Advice

Irish citizens need a valid passport or passport card to enter Greece.

Irish passports do not have a minimum validity requirement while travelling to the UK or within the EU. When travelling within Europe with an Irish passport, it should be valid for the duration of your stay. 

Irish citizens do not require a visa to enter Greece. However, those staying for longer than three months are advised to register their presence at a local Police Station.

Visitors to Greece are advised to follow the guidance of national and local authorities and stay fully informed of what's going on by monitoring local news and social media.

Citizens can also follow the Embassy on social media (Twitter  @IrishEmbAthens  and  Facebook ) to ensure access to relevant updates and alerts.

Emergency Assistance

The best help is often close at hand so if you have problems, try talking to your local contacts, tour operator representative or hotel management.

You can contact the emergency services in Greece by dialling the following emergency numbers:

• Police: 100
• Fire brigade: 199
• Ambulance: 166

Our tips for Safe Travels:

• Get  comprehensive travel insurance  that covers all your planned activities including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains and legal costs.
• Get a  European Health Insurance Card .
• Register  your details with us so that we can contact you quickly if there’s an unforeseen crisis like a natural disaster or a family emergency.
• Follow us on twitter  @dfatravelwise  for the latest travel updates.
• Read our  ‘Know Before You Go’  guide.

Safety and security

Social unrest.

The political situation in Greece is reasonably stable but there can be occasional outbreaks of social unrest. Strikes and demonstrations which can affect visitors travel plans are a common occurrence in Greece.

If a demonstration is in progress it is best to avoid central areas of Athens, particularly areas around Syntagma Square (Constitution Square), where the Parliament Building is located and where most demonstrations terminate.

Always keep yourself informed of what’s going on around you by monitoring local media and staying in contact with your hotel or tour organiser.

Crime is relatively low in Greece as a whole but pickpocketing is common in central Athens. Always take sensible precautions:

• Be aware that the tourist season attracts an increase in incidents of theft of passports, wallets, handbags etc. - particularly in areas and at events where crowds gather. You should leave valuables in safe custody at your hotel or apartment.
• Be particularly vigilant when using public transport. In Athens, we recommend visitors take extra care of their personal belongings when using buses or the metro; especially when travelling to and from the airport or the port of Piraeus. Don't carry your credit card, travel tickets and money together - leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place. Consider wearing your rucksack on your front, and do not leave valuables in accessible pockets.
• Don't carry your passport unless absolutely necessary. Leave a copy of your passport (and travel and insurance documents) with family or friends at home, and consider keeping a photo of important documents on your phone or in your emails.

Personal attacks, including sexual assaults and rape, are infrequent in Greece. However, there is a higher incidence of sexual assault and rape on some Greek Islands. We advise that you do not accept drinks from strangers or leave drinks unattended when in bars or nightclubs. We also recommend that you avoid walking alone in isolated areas at night.

Reporting crime

If you’re a victim of a crime while in Greece, report it to the local police immediately. You can contact us at the Irish Embassy in Athens if you need help or guidance.

Earthquakes

Greece is located in an active seismic zone and tremors are common, although serious earthquakes are not so frequent. The following information from the Greek Ministry of Tourism sets out what to do in the event of an earthquake.

If you are inside a building

• Remain calm
• Take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture (table, desk etc.), get on your knees and hold on to the leg of the table or the desk
• If a sturdy piece of furniture does not exist, get on your knees in the middle the room, stay as low as possible and cover your head with your hands. Keep away from large glass surfaces such as windows, or furniture and objects that might hurt you.
• Do not try to leave the building.
• Do not get out on a balcony, if one exists

If you are in a tall building

• Keep away from glass windows and outer walls

If you are in a shopping mall or a big commercial store

• Stay exactly where you are until the tremble comes to a stop
• Don’t get swept away by the running crowd rushing towards the exits because there is a high risk of being stepped over.

If you are outside

• Get away from places situated exactly underneath buildings or from places where there are telephone or electricity cables.
• If you are carrying a handbag, put it over your head in order to protect yourself.

If you are in a car

• Go to an open space and stop the car somewhere where it does not impede the circulation of other vehicles
• Keep away from tunnels or bridges

Forest Fires

Greece regularly experiences forest fires in the warmer months. While most of these fires do not affect residential areas, you should heed risk warnings and be vigilant if travelling in forested areas during the summer. If there is a forest fire near where you are staying, you should keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of the Greek authorities. See  here  for official information and advice on forest fires in Greece.

If you’re planning to drive in Greece, you should take extreme caution due to the very high incidence of road traffic accidents and different driving customs.

Vehicle hire

If you’re hiring a vehicle, we advise you not to hand over your passport as a form of security. If you’re allowing your passport to be photocopied, keep it in your sight at all times.

Check that you have adequate insurance and read the small print of the vehicle hire contract (particularly any waiver that will come into effect if the vehicle is damaged).

Motorcycles, scooters, mopeds and quadbikes

Every year, motorcycles, scooters, mopeds and quadbikes are associated with many serious accidents in Greece, often resulting in very serious or even fatal injury.

Failure to wear a crash helmet or to have the necessary driving license may invalidate your insurance if you are involved in an accident. Greek law requires you to wear a crash helmet on a scooter, moped or motorcycle. Quad bike riders require a full-face helmet (or non-full-face helmet plus goggles) under Greek law.

You should check that your travel insurance covers you for the relevant activity. Road insurance and a motorcycle license are also mandatory.

Pedestrians

Pedestrians should also be vigilant and aware that traffic will be coming from the opposite direction to Ireland. They should also take particular care when using pedestrian crossings at intersections; vehicles won’t necessarily stop when the signal indicates that pedestrians may cross the road.

Local laws and customs

Illegal drugs.

Illegal drug use (no matter what the drug) carries stiff penalties, including fines and long prison terms.

Visitors should be aware that alcoholic spirits are sold in significantly larger measures in Greek bars and restaurants than in Ireland.

Public behaviour

High standards of public behaviour are the norm in Greece. While there’s greater tolerance in tourist resorts, Greek courts impose heavy fines or prison sentences on people who behave indecently in public.

Additional information

West nile virus , entry requirements (visa/passport).

Holders of valid Irish passports do not require an entry visa for Greece.

We recommend you take a number of photocopies of your passport, as this will assist in the event that your passport is lost or stolen. We also recommend that you carry photo ID or a copy of your passport with you at all times.

Travel Insurance

We can’t pay for emergency medical repatriation, repatriation of remains, or for expenses as a result of a personal emergency while you are abroad. If you buy an appropriate travel insurance policy, these costs will be covered, provided you haven’t broken the terms and conditions.

Buying comprehensive travel insurance can save you and your family a lot of money if something goes wrong. It will also ensure that you get the medical attention you need, when you need it. Hospital bills can quickly run into thousands of euro, and a medical evacuation back to Ireland can cost thousands more.

Not all policies are the same, and the cheapest one might be cheap for a reason. Make sure your policy covers all the activities you plan to do on your trip. Insurance Ireland recommend that you purchase a policy that provides a minimum medical cover of €1 million.

Emergency expenses

Your policy should cover:

• All medical care abroad, including evacuation by air ambulance, or other emergency procedures, and any other costs associated with an unexpected longer stay.
• Your entire trip, from departure to return. Consider an annual multi-trip policy if you’re making more than one trip in the year.   
• 24-hour emergency service and assistance.
• Personal liability cover (in case you’re sued for causing injury or damaging property).
• Lost and stolen possessions.
• Cancellation and curtailment.
• Any extra activities you intend to do that are excluded from standard policies (e.g. water sport activities such as jet skiing or other extreme sports).

Exclusions: You should know most insurance policies will not cover drink or drug-related incidents.

European Health Insurance Card

As an Irish resident you are entitled to get healthcare through the public system in countries of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland if you become ill or injured while on a temporary stay there. Ensure that you get or renew your EHIC (the new name for the E111) before you go, and remember, you need one for every person travelling in your group.

Apply for your EHIC and find out more information .

The EHIC is not a substitute for proper travel insurance provided by a reputable insurer. It doesn’t cover medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. Also, some private hospitals may not accept the EHIC, so you should check with the hospital administrator beforehand.

Vaccinations

Irish citizens don’t require any vaccinations when travelling to Greece.

Medical facilities

Citizens should be aware that the level of nursing care provided in most Greek public hospitals, particularly on the islands, is not as high as that provided in Ireland. Nurses deal solely with medical issues and do not provide assistance with cleaning and feeding.

In Greek society it generally falls on the family to provide for all non-essential care to the patient or, when needed, a privately paid nursing assistant. Citizens should ensure that their medical insurance cover will provide for private nursing care if required.

Embassy contact

Where emergency consular assistance is required for Irish citizens outside of opening hours, please leave a message at: +30 210 7232771. This mailbox is monitored regularly.

Embassy of Ireland 7 Leoforas Vasileos Konstantinou 106 74 Athens Greece

Tel: +30 210 723 2771 Fax: +30 210 729 3383

Monday to Friday 09:00 - 13:00

Honorary Consulate Contact

Mr. Ioannis Xenikakis Honorary Consul of Ireland Xenikakis S.A. Leoforos Knosou 278 71409 Heraklion Crete Greece

Tel: +30 2810 215 060 Fax: + 30 2810 326 200

Email: Email us

Mr. Skevos Mougros Honorary Consul of Ireland 111 Amerikis Street 85100 Rhodes Greece

Tel: +30 22410 75655 Fax: +30 22410 22354

Mr. Theodoros Mavroudis Honorary Consul of Ireland 5 Aristotelous Square 54624 Thessaloniki Greece

Tel: +30 2310 465177 Fax: + 30 2310 477293

Ms. Anastasia Lychnou Honorary Consul of Ireland 5, Rizospaston Voulefton Ioniou Voulis 491 00 Corfu

Tel: +30 2661023921

Get travel and medical insurance

Before travelling, the Department  strongly recommends  that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains and legal costs. You should check any exclusions and, in particular, that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

Contacting us

Contact our Embassy in Athens for assistance

Related links

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Covid-19: Up-to-date Info for Tourists in Greece

Photo source: Delta AIr Lines

The Greek government still has Covid-19 safety measures in force throughout the country at the moment.

Following is useful information for those planning a trip to Greece. It is noted that the Covid-19 safety measures in Greece are reviewed on a weekly basis. The following rules will be in force until April 4 and may be extended.

General information

Face masks are mandatory in all public indoor areas. This includes hotels; cafes, restaurants and bars (when not seated); shops; museums and other cultural centers; supermarkets; taxi cabs; public transport; and ski lifts. Wearing masks outdoors is no longer mandatory .

Tourists in Greece should also be aware that entrance to public services, banks and churches is allowed only after presenting a valid vaccination certificate or a valid recovery certificate or a negative test result (rapid or PCR). Moreover, unvaccinated individuals cannot enter indoor areas of restaurants, cafes, bars, museums, theaters, cinemas and gyms.

Traveling to Greece

The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) every two weeks updates its Covid-19 aviation directives (NOTAMs) that include the rules travelers arriving in Greece on international flights must follow. In short, the Greek authorities do not impose additional restrictions for European Union Digital Covid Certificate (EUDCC) holders coming from EU/Schengen zone countries  and 35 non-EU countries and territories that have joined the EUDCC system (San Marino, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, the Vatican, Northern Macedonia, Georgia, Switzerland, El Salvador, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Lebanon, Morocco, Montenegro, Moldova, Monaco, Norway, New Zealand, Ukraine, Uruguay, Panama, Cape Verde, Serbia, Singapore, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, Tunisia, Benin, Jordan, Faroe Islands and Chinese Taipei). Vaccinated travelers entering Greece from the United States of America, Canada and Australia are also exempt from additional restrictions upon arrival provided they have a valid vaccination certificate or a valid recovery certificate or a negative Covid-19 test (PCR or rapid).

Photo source: WTTC

All other inbound travelers to Greece that do not have an EUDCC (including children over 5 years old) and regardless of their Covid vaccination status must present a negative PCR test result (performed within 72 hours before travel) or a rapid antigen test result (performed within 24 hours before travel) upon arrival. Also, all travelers entering Greece, regardless if they are a holder of the EU Digital Covid Certificate, may be subject to random COVID-19 rapid testing at the airport.

It should be noted that from 15 March 2022 onwards, travellers visiting Greece are no longer required to fill out the Passenger Locator Form (PLF). However, a simplified PLF remains in operation, the completion of which is OPTIONAL , for the sole purpose of enabling the traveller / family to issue an EU Certificate of negative or positive COVID-19 test result. Press here for further information.

What is needed to enter hotels

When checking in a hotel, guests must show one of the following:

a) a vaccination certificate valid for 7 months after the completion of the basic vaccination and without time limit for travellers who have received the booster dose b) proof of recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection, issued 14 days after the day of the first positive COVID-19 test (PCR or Rapid Antigen test) and valid for 90 days thereafter c) a negative molecular test for COVID-19 (PCR) performed up to 72 hours before entrance, or a negative rapid antigen test performed up to 48 hours before entrance.

It is noted that hotel guests aged 4 to 17 years old may, alternatively, show a negative self-test result (either in print or electronic form) performed up to 24 hours before entrance. The self-test declaration form can be accessed  here . Guests have to print it out, write their negative test result, sign it and then present it when requested along with identification. Guests can also present their negative test result in digital form  (TaxisNet codes and AMKA social security number are necessary).

What is needed to enter cafes, restaurants & bars

Indoor areas

Access to INDOOR areas of cafes, restaurants & bars is allowed only after showing one of the following:

a) a vaccination certificate valid for 7 months after the completion of the basic vaccination and without time limit for travellers who have received the booster dose b) proof of recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection, issued 14 days after the day of the first positive COVID-19 test (PCR or Rapid Antigen test) and valid for 90 days thereafter

It is noted that people aged 4 to 17 years old may, alternatively, show a negative self-test result (either in print or electronic form) performed up to 24 hours before entrance. The self-test declaration form can be accessed here . Guests have to print it out, write their negative test result, sign it and then present it when requested along with identification. Guests can also present their negative test result in digital form  (TaxisNet codes and AMKA social security number are necessary).

Outdoor areas

Photo: Shutterstock

Access to OUTDOOR areas of cafes, restaurants & bars is allowed only after showing one of the following:

a) vaccination certificate valid for 7 months after the completion of the basic vaccination and without time limit for travellers who have received the booster dose b) proof of recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection, issued 14 days after the day of the first positive COVID-19 test (PCR or Rapid Antigen test) and valid for 90 days thereafter c) a negative molecular test for COVID-19 (PCR) performed up to 72 hours before entrance, or negative rapid antigen test performed up to 48 hours before entrance.

The above measures are also valid for entrance to indoor/outdoor cafes and restaurants in hotels.

Domestic travel by plane, ferry, KTEL bus, tourist coach, or train

Photo source: Shutterstock

To travel domestic (movement between regions) by plane, ferry, KTEL bus, tourist coach, or train, all passengers must have one of the following:

a) a vaccination certificate valid for 7 months after the completion of the basic vaccination and without time limit for travellers who have received the booster dose b) proof of recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection, issued 14 days after the day of the first positive COVID-19 test (PCR or Rapid Antigen test) and valid for 90 days thereafter, or c) a negative molecular test for COVID-19 (PCR) performed up to 72 hours before entrance, or a negative rapid antigen test performed up to 48 hours before entrance.

Photo source: European Commission / Photographer: Yorgos Karahalis

It is noted that travelers aged 4 to 17 years old may, alternatively, show a negative self-test result (either in print or electronic form) performed up to 24 hours before entrance. The self-test declaration form can be accessed here . Travelers have to print it out, write their negative test result, sign it and then present it when requested along with identification. Travelers can also present their negative test result in digital form  (TaxisNet codes and AMKA social security number are necessary).

Face masks must be worn by all passengers throughout the duration of trips.

Entrance to archaeological sites, museums

Access to indoor areas of archaeological sites and museums is allowed only after showing one of the following:

Visitors aged 4 to 17 years old may, alternatively, show a negative self-test result (either in print or electronic form) performed up to 24 hours before entrance. The self-test declaration form can be accessed here . Visitors have to print it out, write their negative test result, sign it and then present it when requested along with identification. Visitors can also present their negative test result in digital form  (TaxisNet codes and AMKA social security number are necessary).

In case of group organized guided tours with a tourist guide , distancing rules between visitors must be strictly followed as well as rules regarding face masks and rules concerning the mandatory use of audio tourist guide equipment (wireless microphone transmitters and receivers, better known as “whispers”) and the avoidance of using common devices (tablets, headphones, etc.).

The pre-purchase of tickets (e-tickets) for archaeological sites and museums that offer the service is highly recommended in order to control, as much as possible, the flow of visitors. Museum staff has received special instructions for the service of people with disabilities, people over 65, pregnant women, etc.

Open-air archaeological sites

All visitors in open-air archaeological sites must wear face masks and maintain a distance of 1.5 meters from one another.

Entrance to ski resorts

Photo source: Parnassos Ski Center

All guests can enjoy the OUTDOOR areas of ski centers. For the INDOOR areas of the chalets, guests must hold one of the following:

In addition:

– Catering areas/chalets at ski resorts operate in accordance with the rules that apply to indoor and outdoor catering establishments (restaurants) respectively. – Shops at ski resorts operate in accordance with the rules that apply to the retail sector. – Hostels/hotels of ski resorts operate in accordance with the rules that apply to hotels. – At ski schools of ski centers, it is obligatory to wear a surgical mask in all areas. – Equipment rental shops, which may be provided, operate in accordance with the rules that apply to retail stores with the additional obligation that rented clothes, ski masks and ski helmets need to be disinfected before being used again.

Moreover, the following applies for lifts at ski resorts: – For open lifts, there are no restrictions. Occupants must wear masks. – For closed lifts that have the possibility of continuous natural ventilation, there are no restrictions, provided that the occupants must wear a mask and there is natural ventilation. – For closed lifts that do not have the possibility of continuous natural ventilation, they can be used at 50% of their capacity, provided that the passengers must wear a surgical mask. 100% of its capacity can be used for members of the same family.

Entrance to conferences and exhibitions

People wanting to attend conferences, exhibitions and trade fairs in Greece will need to have one of the following:

– Attendees of conferences and exhibitions must wear masks at all times. – Attendees of conferences and exhibitions must avoid crowding and maintain a distance of 1.5 meters from one another. – Meeting tables at conferences and exhibitions must have a proper distance between them.

Conference and exhibition venues must have information posters and screens displaying audiovisual messages about the Covid-19 health and safety measures being followed. All audio announcements in conference and exhibition venues should be in two languages (Greek and English).

Those visiting open-air exhibitions and trade fairs, must wear face masks and maintain a distance of 1.5 meters from one another.

In t is noted that the Greek government has a dedicated website with entry rules to Greece and frequently asked questions.

For detailed information on the aforementioned measures in the Greek language, press here .

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About the Author

Unwto: global tourist arrivals more than double in january 2022, greece expects strong tourist flows from france, 3 million airline seats available for 2022.

We are coming to Greece on May 10th to May 25th and I’m really hoping that Greece does not change their restriction requirements for Covid. We are fully vaccinated and boosted but with the very high numbers of Covid in Greece still being present, we would feel so much better about coming if the restrictions all remain. Thank you

You know i am wonder8ing if Covid has a Greek variant? I am Dutch and we also have Covid/omicron but everything is open, no covid pass nothing anymore already for a couple of weeks. I miss something or the Greek people do not want tourist anymore? Beautiful country and beautiful and warm people but this is very very strange!!! Look at Portugal or Spain or Turkey….why should tourist go to Greece with all this restrictions??

Not Greek people but Greek government… People couldn’t care less about those sick restrictions… But keep spreading across Europe the sick decisions of this government and tourist season will be very weak or will really start then they will finally lift all of the restrictions. Do you really believe that any tourist business owner will risk not having a customers because first have to ask for certificates and than decline service to money giving tourists when not having one? Ha! Forget it! All private small tourist businesses suffered losses during last two years. Respecting those restrictions would be financial suicide.

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Update April 12, 2024

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Greece Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 26, 2023, greece - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise normal precautions in Greece.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Greece.

If you decide to travel to Greece: 

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Greece.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Travel Advisory Levels

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Please be advised that the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Travel Advice is now available at Ireland.ie/travel . Travel Advice on this webpage is no longer being updated.

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We make every effort to ensure our travel advice is accurate and up-to-date, but you shouldn’t regard it as definitive or comprehensive in all respects.

Just because there’s no specific advice about a particular country or region, doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s safe to travel there. Situations can change quickly from one day to the next and from one part of a country to another.

Your safety is your responsibility

You are wholly responsible for making decisions about your own travel.

We can’t be held responsible for any injury or loss you may suffer as a result of relying on our travel advice.

We advise all Irish citizens travelling abroad to be mindful of their surroundings at all times and take the necessary precautions for their personal safety and that of their belongings.

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Getting help

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in Greece

Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)

Calling 999 from a UK mobile in Greece will automatically transfer you to the Greek emergency services.

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans , including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking  lawyers ,  funeral directors  and  translators and interpreters  in Greece
• dealing with a  death in Greece
• being  arrested in Greece
• getting help if you’re a  victim of crime
• what to do if you’re  in hospital
• if you are affected by a crisis , such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO

Follow and contact FCDO travel on X , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

Help abroad in an emergency

If you are in Greece and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the British embassy Athens or one of our consulates .

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DFAT issues fresh advice as dengue fever cases rise in Bali

Aussie tourists are falling sick from a common but dangerous illness in the tropical tourism mecca.

‘Long overdue’: Tourist spot to be demolished

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The government is warning Aussies travelling to Bali to take precautions against dengue fever, as social media swirls with reports of tourists who have been struck down with the painful infection.

Teejay Barratt, writing to a Facebook page on Bali advice, warned the mosquito-borne illness was now “rampant” across the popular island holiday destination.

“Please everyone be very thorough and cover up with mosquito repellent,” he said.

“There is rampant dengue fever going around at the moment.

“Travelling friends of ours currently have a severely ill 15-year-old son at BIMC (Hospital) fighting this horrible disease.”

NusaBali.com, an Indonesian language website, also reports a “significant” increase in dengue cases in early 2024.

Dengue is transmitted via mosquito bites and symptoms include severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands and rash, according to the World Health Organisation.

“There is no specific treatment for dengue. The focus is on treating pain symptoms,” the WHO states.

Australian health authorities have reported an increase in dengue infections in people returning from Bali in recent years and the government’s smart-traveller advice service recommends visitors use insect repellent, wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing and make sure booked accommodation is mosquito-proof.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman warned dengue was common during Indonesia’s rainy season, which takes place from November to March.

“The best way to prevent dengue fever is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes,” she said.

“The government encourages all travellers to read the travel advice for Indonesia on Smartraveller before they travel, as well as advice on Infectious diseases and dengue.”

Dengue occurs throughout Indonesia, including Bali, Jakarta and other major cities.

Indonesia attracts more than a million Australian travellers each year with its mix of cultural power, natural beauty and affordability.

The tropical getaway was the number one travel spot for Australians in 2023, according to data from Bupa Travel Insurance, followed by the United States and New Zealand.

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Tourists have been blamed for destroying an iconic attraction in Hawaii with the site now being demolished as a result of trespassing.

The Gulf, including Dubai, has seen its worst rain for 75 years with 150 per cent of the annual rain falling in a day leading to at least 20 deaths.

The US Embassy in Canberra has warned its citizens that ‘dangerous events’ can occur in unexpected areas following the horrific Bondi massacre.

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The U.S. issues new travel guidelines, warning that Iran will avenge the killings of senior commanders.

The State Department has barred its employees from traveling to large parts of Israel. Iran has repeatedly vowed to strike back over the deadly bombing this month of an Iranian Embassy complex in Syria.

• Share full article

By Liam Stack and Eric Schmitt

• April 12, 2024

Several countries including the United States have issued new travel guidelines for Israel and the surrounding region, as the Israeli military said its forces were “highly alert” for a possible Iranian strike in retaliation for the killings of several commanders.

Iran has repeatedly vowed to strike back at Israel over the bombing of an Iranian Embassy complex in Damascus, Syria, this month that killed three generals and four other military officers. An American official said on Friday that Washington expects an attack by Iran against Israel that would be bigger than recent attacks in the long shadow war between the two countries, but not so big that it would draw the United States into war. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The U.S. State Department on Thursday barred its employees from traveling to large parts of Israel, the first time the U.S. government had restricted the movement of its employees in this way since the war in Gaza began more than six months ago.

On Thursday, Britain told its citizens that they “should consider leaving” Israel and the Palestinian territories “if it is safe to do so.” On Friday, India told its citizens “not to travel to Iran or Israel till further notice,” while France advised people not to travel to Israel, Iran or Lebanon and evacuated the families of French diplomats from Iran.

Asked about the U.S. travel warning , Matthew Miller, the State Department spokesman, said at a news briefing Thursday: “We have seen Iran making public threats against Israel in the past few days.” He declined to provide details about any specific information that prompted the warning.

The new guidelines bar U.S. government employees and their families from traveling to locations outside the Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beersheba metropolitan areas “out of an abundance of caution” until further notice. The State Department said U.S. personnel could move among those areas for personal travel.

The top American military commander for the Middle East, Gen. Michael E. Kurilla, traveled to Israel to coordinate a response to possible Iranian retaliation, U.S. officials said.

“Our enemies think that they will divide Israel and the United States,” the Israeli defense minister, Yoav Gallant, said in a statement on Friday after meeting with General Kurilla. “They are connecting us and are strengthening the relationship between us.”

If Iran attacks, he added, “we will know how to respond.”

On Thursday, the Israeli military’s chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said that the armed forces were “highly alert and prepared” for any action Iran might take, even as the timing and scale of any response remained unclear. Analysts say that Tehran, which has long used a network of proxy forces to project power across the Middle East, wants to avoid igniting a full-fledged war that could drag in the United States and threaten the survival of Iran’s regime.

“For years, and even more so during the war, Iran has been financing, directing and arming its proxies — in Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, Iraq and Yemen — to attack the state of Israel,” he said. “An attack from Iranian territory would be clear evidence of Iran’s intentions to escalate the Middle East and stop hiding behind the proxies.”

Liam Stack is a Times reporter covering the Israel-Hamas war from Jerusalem. More about Liam Stack

Eric Schmitt is a national security correspondent for The Times, focusing on U.S. military affairs and counterterrorism issues overseas, topics he has reported on for more than three decades. More about Eric Schmitt

Our Coverage of the Israel-Hamas War

News and Analysis

Gazans released from Israeli detention described graphic scenes of physical abuse  in testimonies gathered by U.N. workers, according to a new report.

Britain, the United States, France and other allies of Israel have voiced their anger over the death toll in Gaza, but when Iran launched a missile barrage at Israel, they set it aside . At least for the moment.

The Israel pavilion at the Venice Biennale is closed this year, since its creative team decided not to exhibit work  until there was a cease-fire and hostage deal in Gaza, but it was nonetheless the site of a large demonstration .

Mobilizing the American Left: As the death toll in Gaza climbed, the pro-Palestinian movement grew into a powerful, if disjointed, political force in the United States . Democrats are feeling the pressure.

Riding Rage Over Israel: Jackson Hinkle’s incendiary commentary  has generated over two million new followers on X since October — a surge that some researchers say is aided by inauthentic accounts by the online celebrity.

Psychedelics and Trauma: Thousands of festival-goers were using mind-altering substances when Hamas-led fighters attacked on Oct 7. Now, scientists are studying the effects of such drugs at a moment of trauma .

Turmoil at J Street: The war in Gaza has raised serious concerns within the Jewish political advocacy group about its ability to hold a middle position  without being pulled apart by forces on the right and the left.