Published: October 21, 2024
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Greece Travel Advisory and Greece Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Athens
91 Vasilisis Sophias Avenue, 10160 Athens.
Tel: +30-210-721-2951 (24/7).
Hours: 0830 – 1700, Monday – Friday.
U.S. Consulate Thessaloniki
43 Tsimiski, 7th Floor, 54623 Thessaloniki.
Tel: +30-231-024-2905
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +30-210-721-2951
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
The Country Chapter in Athens is active.
Contact OSAC’s Europe team with any questions.
Greece Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions in Greece.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Athens and Thessaloniki as being MEDIUM-threat locations for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Greece.
There are no areas that are off limits for U.S. Embassy personnel.
Most crimes are non-violent, with street crimes (e.g., pickpocketing, purse snatchings, mobile phone theft, and identity document theft) being the most common. Most of these cases occur within the popular tourist areas and on the Metro system (rail and bus). A common tactic is one person causes a commotion on the metro or pushes travelers to distract them while another person snatches the belongings. Be particularly careful on crowded streets and in other high-density areas (e.g., entertainment districts, department stores, restaurants, underground pedestrian street-crossings, crowded public transportation). Thieves also seek out and break into rental cars to steal passports, valuables, and luggage. Do not leave bags unattended, especially on the metro and the Athens Airport train or in your vehicle. Also, avoid standing near bus or train doors, as thieves often strike as the doors open then disappear into the crowd.
Residential burglaries (-2.3%), break-ins (-7%) and vehicle thefts (-0.1%) in the Attica region all show downward trends in the first half of 2024 compared to 2023 data. Narcotics-related crimes show a significant increase of almost 70% in 2024, as do crimes involving weapons and explosives which increased over 75%. (Note: While the statistical increases may reflect an alarming upward trend associated with a reported uptick in organized crime activity in Greece, the numbers may also reflect an increase in overall crime reporting compared to previous years as well as an increase in arrest data.) Sexual assault crimes as reported to the police remain very low relative to the size of the population. The number of reported incidents, however, increased by approximately 1.5% in 2024. Reported crimes of sexual exploitation increased by more than 50%. Sexual assaults of U.S. nationals, while uncommon, do occur.
Alcohol-induced attacks targeting foreigners can occur at bars and resorts within popular tourist destinations. Drink alcohol in moderation and stay in control. Never leave drinks unattended in bars or clubs. Some bars and clubs serve counterfeit or homemade spirits of unknown potency. The Greek police will not accept behavior they find rowdy or indecent, and the behavior may be illegal especially where excessive drinking is involved.
Be discreet when discussing plans and organizing belongings upon arrival, and protect yourself by using well-lit, public ATMs. It is recommended to only use ATMs associated with a reputable banking institution. Report crime to the local police and contact the U.S. Embassy at (+30) 210- 721-2951 if you require assistance. Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Greece.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Athens and Thessaloniki as being MEDIUM-threat locations for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Greece.
Terrorist groups continue plotting possible near-term attacks in Europe. While there are currently no specific or credible terrorist threats targeting Greece, due to continued terrorist activity in Europe, as well as ongoing regional conflicts and other threats, Greece is vulnerable to potential terrorism within its borders and is a transit point for terrorists further into Europe. In its November 2023 annual report, the National Intelligence Service (EYP) notably highlighted the increased risk posed by the systemic use of the internet, social media and the dark web by terrorists involved in radicalization and recruitment, dissemination of jihadist propaganda, and the transfer of illicit funds including with cryptocurrency.
In general, since the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack in Israel and Israel’s subsequent reaction, there have been increased calls by terrorist organizations like ISIS and al-Qa’ida to attack targets in Europe. The call for self-radicalization, whether disseminated on extremist forums or on social media platforms, continues to be a global concern, as much of the threat comes from radicalized lone-actor perpetrators. They could attack using knives, vehicle ramming, guns, incendiary devices, and other methods that do not require specialized knowledge, access, or training. Lone-actors perpetrators pose a serious risk due to their ability to remain undetected, at times, until operational and their willingness to attack civilian and soft targets, such as restaurants, markets/shopping malls, hotels, clubs, and other similar locations. The Hellenic National Police’s Counterterrorist Unit, the National Intelligence Service and all branches of the Hellenic military have been on high alert since October 2023, and host nation security has increased throughout Greece at locations deemed vulnerable or at increased threat for terrorist attacks.
Domestic terrorist groups remain active in Greece although their operational capabilities have been diminished over the last several years due to imprisonment of key leaders. Police continue to investigate and pursue members of domestic terrorist groups, as well as assess the possibility of collaboration between terrorists and elements of the criminal underworld. U.S. nationals are not specific targets, but attacks could happen in places foreigners visit.
There are several newly formed domestic groups that are currently operating in Greece, staging sporadic low-grade attacks. In February 2024, a powerful bomb blast occurred in front of the Labor ministry building in Athens, though it did not result in any casualties. It was the first terrorist attack to occur in the Greek capital in five years. The attack was claimed by a new urban guerilla group calling itself the “Revolutionary Class Self-Defense.” In February 2024, Greek police said that they arrested six people in Athens over alleged links to at least four bombings and sending threat letters to a Thessaloniki courthouse. A group called “Revenge Conspiracy” has claimed bombings in Athens, which took place in 2023 and 2024.
In 2023, there were several attacks involving explosives and automatic weapons against Greek institutions, shopping malls, banks, media offices, diplomatic premises and the police.
Below is a list of significant terrorist incidents in 2023:
- March 28: The Hellenic Police in cooperation with the EYP and Mossad announced it dismantled a planned terrorist attack against a synagogue and a kosher restaurant in Athens. Police arrested and detained two Pakistani nationals and identified a third Pakistani suspect, who allegedly recruited and instructed them from Iran.
- November 8: The Greek Anti-Terrorism Service charged a 39-year-old Egyptian Imam for inciting acts of violence and jihad through his social media posts related to the Israel-Gaza War. The suspect, who has lived in Greece for ten years, praised the terrorist organization Al-Qassam Brigades, a branch of Hamas, and called on Muslims to wage jihad. Claiming that he called for humanitarian aid and not for violence, the suspect maintained that his actions were misinterpreted.
- November 13: Journalist Yannis Souliotis reported in Kathimerini that a smuggling network attempted to send dual-use materials (radios, laser sights, night vision scopes) from Greece to Russia and was disrupted in Bulgaria. The network, led by two Greeks originally from countries in the former Soviet Union, was linked to illegal arms trafficking, including with the Wagner group, Chechen fighters, and Russian military intelligence. Bulgarian and Greek authorities collaborated on the investigation.
- November 13: The Counter-Terrorism Unit of the Hellenic Police arrested two Kurdish nationals in the eastern Attica district of Menidi on suspicion of terrorist activities. One of the individuals had an outstanding arrest warrant for terrorism, supply and transfer of weapons and explosives, and financing the terrorist organization Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP-C.) The second individual had previously been arrested in Attica in 2020 for weapons possession. Both were using forged Greek travel documents.
- December 18: There was a failed bombing against the headquarters of a special forces police division in the Athens district of Goudi by members of the "Armed Proletarian Justice." The group posted a manifesto on an anarchist site claiming to have taken action for "all those who have been murdered, tortured, beaten, raped by the Greek Police," and specifying that it made warning calls to avoid casualties.
Radical anarchist groups also are active, using arson, gas canister attacks, and Molotov cocktails to promote their anarchist/leftist ideologies. Incidents have targeted journalists, politicians, and political party offices, and appear to be an effort to cause property, rather than bodily, damage. Often, these groups make anonymous calls to the media and police or post messages on anarchist websites giving advance warning of an attack.
Anarchists have attacked offices of U.S. multinational companies in the past, resulting in significant property damage. Anarchists have placed incendiary devices at ATMs belonging to Greek and U.S. banks, destroying several. Anarchists usually conduct attacks against U.S. business interests with the intent to cause damage, embarrassment, or financial loss.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Athens and Thessaloniki as being MEDIUM-threat locations for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Greece. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Greece is a constitutional republic and multiparty parliamentary democracy in which citizens choose their representatives in free and fair elections.
Protests & Demonstrations
Demonstrations and strikes take place in Athens and Thessaloniki on a regular basis. Organizers include labor unions, political parties, leftist anti-authoritarian groups, student groups, and other groups in the public and civilian sector. Demonstrations generally target the political and economic policies of the government, can vary in size, and have the potential to turn violent. There is currently a heightened risk of demonstrations, particularly in central Athens, related to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Anarchists and criminals have used university campuses as refuges. Demonstrators frequently congregate in the Polytechnic University area, Exarchia, Omonia, and Syntagma Squares in Athens; and at Aristotle Square, Aristotle University, and the Kamara areas in Thessaloniki. Violent anarchist groups have joined public demonstrations to clash with police and vandalize public and private property. Security forces often use tear gas and water cannons to break up demonstrations, which can harm vision and breathing.
Demonstrations take place regularly around major squares in central Athens, in particular Syntagma Square. Avoid demonstration areas, exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests, keep a low profile, and follow the advice of the local authorities. Avoid all areas affected by the annual November 17 demonstrations, including the U.S. Embassy.
There are regular strikes, sometimes called at short notice that can cause disruption to public transport, including air travel and ports, as well as road networks and borders. Strikes can impact taxis, the national and suburban railways, trams, trolleys, buses, air traffic control, and ferries that have previously resulted in significant logistical disruptions. Monitor local media for updates, review travel plans, and confirm domestic and international flights before heading to the airport.
Although most demonstrations are peaceful, anarchist groups may infiltrate demonstrations to create chaos. Violent anarchist groups often join public demonstrations to clash with police and vandalize public and private property. Riot control methods include the use of tear gas/water cannon.
In Athens, anarchists often gather in the Athens University or Polytechnic University areas or at Exarchia or Omonia Squares. From there, they usually march toward the city center, particularly to Syntagma Square. In Thessaloniki, the most prominent anarchist gathering areas are the Arch of Galerius (Kamara) and the campus of Aristotle University.
In 2024, anarchist groups conducted several attacks on Greek government facilities and foreign embassies, attempting to embarrass the Greek authorities. These attacks seek to cause property damage, and include:
- June 27: Unknown individuals threw Molotov Cocktails at the police booth outside of the Supreme Court's president residence (Papagou area). From the attack, a police officer was injured and a police vehicle was damaged. No arrests were announced.
- August 19: Unknown individuals placed an incendiary device consisting of a gas canister and a firecracker which exploded in the early hours of the morning, on Louvari St. in Ilioupoli. The device had been placed near electricity meters and caused damage to the entrance of the nearby apartment building. The intensity of the explosion startled the residents awake.
- September 15: A group of 30 unknown individuals attacked police officers with Molotov cocktails at the corner of Trikoupi & Solonos St., in downtown Athens. A police officer was slightly injured and motorcycles were damaged. Twenty-three individuals were arrested.
- September 20: A group of approximately 50 masked individuals attacked a platoon of anti-riot police with Molotov cocktails and other objects at the junction of Themistokleous street and Exarchia Square. No injuries were reported, while 15 individuals were detained. Of those detained, 14 were released as nothing suspicious was found against them, while one person carrying pepper spray and a knife was arrested.
- September 24: Unknown persons placed an explosive device outside a healthcare store in Peristeri. The explosion caused property damage and no injuries. The police found a gas lighter and the remains of a firecracker.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Anarchists have attacked U.S. multinational companies in the past, resulting in significant property damage. Anarchists have placed incendiary devices at ATMs belonging to Greek and U.S. banks, destroying several. Anarchists usually conduct attacks against U.S. business interests with the intent to cause damage, embarrassment, or financial loss.
Law Enforcement
Police are responsible for law enforcement, border security, and the maintenance of order. They are under the authority of the Ministry of Citizen Protection, which is also responsible for prison facilities. The Coast Guard, responsible for law and border enforcement in territorial waters, reports to the Ministry of Shipping Affairs and Island Policy. The armed forces are under the authority of the Ministry of National Defense. Police and the armed forces share law enforcement duties in certain border areas. Border protection is coordinated by the Ministry for National Defense. Civilian authorities maintained effective control over the police, Coast Guard, and armed forces, and the government had effective mechanisms to investigate and punish abuse. Members of security forces committed some abuses.
Police Response
Although Greece has a large national police department, severe budget constraints, political interference and antipathy toward the police have limited their efficacy in deterring crime. Police skills, tactical skills, and emergency response capabilities within specialized units are adequate, although access to resources falls far short of U.S. law enforcement standards in many respects. Due to severe staffing shortages within the police force, members of specialized units are often temporarily assigned to fill gaps in other sections, such as foot patrol or traffic duty, thus further limiting their efficacy. Significant traffic congestion often hampers police emergency response and emergency medical services.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Greece, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Greece.
The government regularly takes steps to investigate, prosecute, and punish officials who have committed human rights abuses, whether in the security forces or elsewhere in the government.
Cybersecurity
Reports of cybercrimes, though on the rise, remain infrequent. The police maintain a dedicated cybercrime division to investigate cyber-related incidents.
Import/Export Restrictions
Customs authorities strictly regulate the export of Greek antiquities, including rocks from archaeology sites. Do not remove anything, no matter how small, from archaeological or historical sites. Do not purchase protected antiquities and carry receipts for any purchases that may appear to be antiquities.
If traveling with prescription medication, check with the Greek Embassy or consulate in the United States, the Customs office at Athens International Airport (+30 210-3542126) or the National Organization of Medicines (+30 213-204-0000) to ensure the medication is legal in Greece. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription.
There are no restrictions on satellite phones in Greece.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
