Greece expats face £85 fines every month if they refuse Covid jabs – new rules explained

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Expats living in Greece now face the same vaccination rules as all citizens and residents of the county. The rules were imposed at the beginning of the month and will see over 60s who refuse the jab slapped with monthly rolling fines.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told ministers the fines will be imposed by tax authorities and used to help fund “Greek hospitals fighting the pandemic”.

The Greek PM said: “It is not a punishment. I would say it is a health fee.”

The rules were announced as worries over the Omicron variant mount in the country.

What are the new vaccine rules?

According to the Greek government, all over 60s must get their COVID-19 vaccines or face a fine.

Fines will be €100 (£85) for every month they do not receive their vaccine.

These fines will be withdrawn when a person receives their inoculation.

Mr Mitsotakis admitted the new rules are likely to be unpopular, but said they will “will save lives”.

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According to the latest data from John Hopkins University, at the end of November, just under 62 percent of the country’s population had received a full course of coronavirus vaccination.

The BBC found more than 520,000 people aged 60 and above have still not received the jab.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) states: “Wherever possible British nationals should aim to be vaccinated in the country where they live.”

The Greek national vaccination programme started in December 2020 and uses the AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) and Moderna vaccines.

British nationals who live in Greece are eligible for the vaccine.

The FCDO adds: “You can get more information on the Greek National Vaccination Programme.

“You can register online through the website or get help registering at any pharmacy in Greece.

“The Greek authorities are aware of issues registering for those who don’t hold AMKA numbers, and are currently working to implement a solution.”

What other restrictions do unvaccinated people face in Greece?

Greece is banning unvaccinated people from entering nightclubs, indoor restaurant facilities, theatres, cinemas, museums, exhibitions, conferences, gyms and stadiums.

The FCDO states: “You must present proof of a negative rapid test, taken up to 48 hours before entry, to visit other public spaces including shops and restaurants (outdoors).

“Failure to comply with these rules may be met with fines of up to €5,000.”

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