Greece customs rules & duty-free allowances
Greece's duty-free allowance for non-resident adults arriving from outside the EU is 1 liter of spirits (over 22% ABV) or 2 liters of wine/beer (under 22% ABV), 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of smoking tobacco (alternative allowances, not cumulative), and personal goods up to €430 (approximately $470 USD) duty-free. Cash of €10,000 or more (or equivalent) must be declared in writing. Prohibited items include narcotics, counterfeit goods, endangered species products, firearms without permit, and meat/dairy from non-EU countries. Restricted items like controlled medicines, plants, drones, and cultural artifacts require permits or declarations.
Duty-free allowances
Prohibited — banned from import
- Narcotics and psychotropic substances (including cannabis, even for medical use without prior authorization from the Greek National Organization for Medicines)
- Counterfeit goods (including fake designer clothing, watches, and electronics)
- Endangered species and products made from them (CITES-listed animals, ivory, tortoiseshell, and certain furs)
- Firearms, ammunition, and explosives (unless with a special permit from Greek police)
- Pornographic material (including digital media, as defined by Greek law)
- Meat and dairy products from non-EU countries (except limited quantities of infant formula, baby food, or pet food with veterinary certificate)
Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration
- Medicines containing controlled substances (e.g., codeine, morphine, benzodiazepines) – require a doctor's prescription and a personal declaration; for more than 3-month supply, prior authorization from the Greek National Organization for Medicines (EOF) is needed
- Plants, seeds, and soil – require a phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin
- Drones (unmanned aircraft) – must be registered with the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority and comply with Greek drone regulations (e.g., no flights over populated areas without permission)
- Cultural artifacts and antiques (over 50 years old) – require an export permit from the Greek Ministry of Culture
- Large amounts of currency (€10,000 or more) – must be declared in writing
Rules worth knowing
EU vs. Non-EU Arrivals
Allowances listed here apply to non-residents arriving from outside the European Union. If you are arriving from another EU country, you are generally free to bring any amount of goods for personal use, as long as they are not for resale. However, alcohol and tobacco limits still apply for non-residents entering from non-EU countries. For EU arrivals, duty-free allowances are not applicable, but goods must be for personal use.
VAT Refund for Tourists
Non-EU residents can claim a refund of the 24% VAT on purchases over €50 made in Greece, provided the goods are exported within 3 months. Keep receipts and ask the store for a tax-free form (e.g., Global Blue or Planet). At the airport, present the goods and forms to customs before check-in. The refund is processed at the airport or port of departure.
Cash Declaration is Mandatory
Any traveller carrying €10,000 or more in cash (or equivalent in other currencies, including traveler's checks, money orders, or gold coins) must declare it to Greek customs. This is a strict EU-wide rule. Undeclared amounts can be confiscated and fines up to €1 million may apply. Declaration forms are available at customs points.
Tobacco and Alcohol Age Limit
You must be at least 18 years old to import duty-free alcohol and tobacco into Greece. Customs officers may ask for ID, and minors (under 18) are not entitled to any duty-free allowances for these items. This applies to all arrivals from non-EU countries.