Greece Travel 2025: Safe Destination with Updated Tourism Tax and Earthquake Alerts in Select Islands

Greece remains a generally safe travel destination as of May 2025, with most advisories recommending normal precautions for visitors. The U.S. Department of State currently advises travelers to exercise normal precautions when visiting Greece, with no heightened alerts in effect for the country.

If you're planning a trip to Greece, be aware that as of January 1, 2025, an increased tourism tax has been implemented that varies depending on your accommodation type and the season of your visit. This affects both hotel stays and short-term rentals like Airbnb.

For those considering visiting the Greek islands, particularly Santorini, Amorgos, Anafi, and Ios, note that the U.S. Mission in Greece issued a natural disaster alert in February 2025 regarding a series of earthquakes in these areas. While seismologists have confirmed this activity is related to undersea fault lines rather than volcanic unrest, and no significant damage has been reported, authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.

Greece is currently ranked as a low-risk destination according to the Risk Map 2025, making it one of the safest places to visit in Europe. The country maintains high security in major tourist areas and has a healthcare system well-equipped to handle emergencies.

When traveling around Greece, follow standard safety practices: wear seatbelts, use marked crosswalks, choose official taxis or public transportation, and avoid using cell phones while driving. For water activities, always obey warning flags at beaches, be aware of potential hazards like tidal changes and strong winds that can cause dangerous currents, and follow local authorities' advice.

Women travelers should exercise caution, as there have been reports of sexual assaults against foreigners, particularly on the islands. Avoid accepting rides from strangers or casual acquaintances.

If your travel plans include connections through northern India, be aware that following "Operation Sindoor" and escalating tensions between India and Pakistan as of May 6, 2025, air travel across northern India has experienced severe disruptions.

For the most current information before and during your trip, it's advisable to check for updates from official sources like your country's embassy or consulate in Greece.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Greece remains a generally safe travel destination as of May
twenty twenty five, with most advisories recommending normal precautions for visitors.
The US Department of State currently advises travelers to exercise
normal precautions when visiting Greece, with no heightened alerts in
effect for the country. If you're planning a trip to Greece,

(00:21):
be aware that as of January first, twenty twenty five,
an increased tourism tax has been implemented that varies depending
on your accommodation type and the season of your visit.
This affects both hotel stays and short term rentals like
Airbnb for those considering visiting the Greek islands, particularly Santorini, A, Morgos, Anafi,

(00:41):
and iOS. Note that the US Mission in Greece issued
a natural disaster alert in February twenty twenty five regarding
a series of earthquakes in these areas. While seismologists have
confirmed this activity is related to undersea fault lines rather
than volcanic unrest, and no significant damage has been reported,
authorities continue to monitor the situation closely. Greece is currently

(01:05):
ranked as a low risk destination according to the Risk
Map twenty twenty five, making it one of the safest
places to visit in Europe. The country maintains high security
in major tourist areas and has a health care system
well equipped to handle emergencies. When traveling around Greece, follow
standard safety practices, wear seat belts, use marked crosswalks, choose

(01:28):
official taxis or public transportation, and avoid using cell phones
while driving. For water activities, always obey warning flags at beaches.
Be aware of potential hazards like tidal changes and strong
winds that can cause dangerous currents, and follow local authorities advice.
Women travelers should exercise caution as there have been reports

(01:50):
of sexual assaults against foreigners, particularly on the islands. Avoid
accepting rides from strangers or casual acquaintances. If your travels
include connections through northern India, be aware that following Operation
Sindour and escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, as of
May sixth, twenty twenty five, air travel across Northern India

(02:12):
has experienced severe disruptions. For the most current information before
and during your trip, it's advisable to check for updates
from official sources like your country's embassy or consulate in Greece,