ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required, but no visa is needed for tourist or business stays of up to three months. That period begins when entering any of the following countries which are parties to the Schengen agreement: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.  For other entry requirements, travelers should contact the Embassy of Greece at 2221 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 939-5800, or Greek consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Tampa, New York, and San Francisco, and Greek embassies and consulates around the world.    Visit the Embassy of Greece web site at http://www.greekembassy.org for the most current visa information.

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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical facilities are adequate, and some, particularly the private clinics and hospitals in Athens and Thessaloniki, are quite good.  Some private hospitals have affiliations with U.S. facilities, and generally their staff doctors have been trained in U.S. or other international teaching institutions.  However, English is not as widely spoken as might be expected.  Public medical clinics, especially on the islands, may lack resources; care there can be inadequate by American standards, and often, little English is spoken.  Many patients, Greeks and visitors alike, are transferred from the provinces and islands to Athens hospitals for more sophisticated care.  Others may choose to transfer from a public to a private hospital within Athens.  Americans choosing to do so would arrange for an ambulance belonging to the private hospital to transport them from the public hospital to the private one.  The cost of the ambulance for this transfer, as well as all expenses in a private hospital, must be borne by the patient.  It is not uncommon for doctors and patients to smoke in the wards, although the newer hospitals are increasingly strict on this matter.
 
Nursing care, particularly in public hospitals, may be less than adequate.  For special or through-the-night nursing care, it is suggested that a private nurse be hired or a family member or friend be available to assist.  One parent or a private nurse should always plan to stay with a hospitalized child on a 24-hour basis, as even the best hospitals generally maintain only a minimal nursing staff from midnight to dawn on non-emergency floors or wards.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747)

MEDICAL INSURANCE:  The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.

REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling outside of the U.S. are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov.  Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. 

The U.S. Embassy in Athens is located at 91 Vasilissis Sophias Boulevard, tel: (30)(210) 721-2951.  The U.S. Consulate General in Thessaloniki is located at Plateia Commercial Center, 43 Tsimiski Street, 7th floor, tel: (30)(2310) 242-905.  The Embassy's web site is http://www.usembassy.gr.  The e-mail address for the Consular Section is athensconsul@state.gov.  The web site for the U.S. Consulate General Thessaloniki is http://www.usconsulate.gr.  The Consulate’s e-mail address is amcongen@compulink.gr.