Embassy/Consulate Addresses | Foreign Relations | Travel Advisories | Travel Tips | Customs/Duties



EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic Representation in US:
Ambassador: Vassilis Kaskarelis
Embassy: 2221 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: [1] (202) 939-1300
Fax: [1] (202) 939-1324

Consulate(s) are in:
Atlanta
Tower Place, 3340 Peachtree Rd., N.E., Suite 1670,
Atlanta, GA 30326.
(404) 261-3313, FAX (404) 262-2798

New Orleans
Int'l Trade Mart Bldg., 2 Canal St., Suite 2318,
New Orleans, LA 70130.
(504) 523-1167, FAX (504) 524-3610

Houston
Cigna Tower, 1360 Post Oak Bl., Suite 2480,
Houston, TX 77056.
(713) 840-7522, FAX (713) 840-0614

Consulate(s) General are in:
Los Angeles
12424 Wilshire Bl., Suite 800,
Los Angeles, CA 90025.
(310) 826-5555, FAX (310) 826-8670

San Francisco
2441 Gough St.,
San Francisco, CA 94123.
(415) 775-2102, FAX (415) 776-6815

Chicago
650 N. Saint Clair St.,
Chicago, IL 60611.
(312) 335-3915, FAX (312) 335-3958

Boston
86 Beacon St.,
Boston, MA 02115.
(617) 523-0100, FAX (617) 523-0511

New York
69 E. 79th St.,
New York, NY 10021.
(212) 988-5500, FAX (212) 734-8492

US Diplomatic Representation:
Ambassador: Daniel B. Smith
Embassy: 91 Vasilissis Sophias Avenue, 10160 Athens
Mailing address: PSC 108, Athens; APO AE 09842
Telephone: (30-10) 721-2951
FAX: [30] (1) 645-6282
Consulate(s) General: Thessaloniki


Embassy and Consulate Web Sites for Greece
U.S. Embassy in Athens, Greece Web Site
Embassy Of Greece, Washington, DC
Consulate General Of Greece, Los Angleles, CA


FOREIGN RELATIONS

The United States appointed its first Consul to Greece in 1837, following Greece’s independence from the Ottoman Empire, and established diplomatic relations with Greece in 1868. After World War II, the United States contributed hundreds of millions of dollars to rebuild Greece’s buildings, agriculture, and industry as part of the Marshall Plan. Today, an estimated three million Americans resident in the United States claim Greek descent. This large, well-organized community cultivates close political and cultural ties with Greece.

Greece is an important partner of the United States on many policy priorities. As a leader in the region, Greece has been an ally to the U.S. in promoting Balkan stability and economic development, supporting Turkey’s bid for accession to the European Union, and supporting the diversification of Europe’s energy supplies. Greece’s geostrategic position also makes it an important ally in engagement and dialogue with the Muslim world. Greece is the primary entry point into the Schengen visa area for migrants from the Middle East, North and Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southwest Asia.

Greece occupies a strategic location in the Eastern Mediterranean on the southern flank of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The U.S.-Greece mutual defense cooperation agreement provides for the operation by the United States of a naval support facility at the deep-water port and airfield at Souda Bay in Crete. Greece contributes to NATO operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo, as well as to counterterrorism and counter-piracy maritime efforts.

U.S. Assistance to Greece

U.S. assistance fosters strong bilateral military-to-military relations and contributes toward the interoperability of Greek forces within NATO.

Bilateral Economic Relations

Greece is a member of the European Union and the Eurozone. The United States has expressed consistent strong support for Greece’s ongoing effort to restore fiscal stability, implement structural reforms, recover competitiveness and restart growth. There are no significant non-tariff barriers to U.S. exports. The top U.S. exports to Greece are defense articles, although. U.S. business activity is expected to grow in the tourism development, medical, construction, food processing, specialty agriculture and packaging and franchising sectors. U.S. companies are interested and involved in Greece's ambitious but slow-moving privatization efforts. Further deregulation of Greece's energy sector and the country's central location as a transportation hub for Europe may offer additional opportunities in electricity, gas, refinery, and related sectors. Greece participates in the Visa Waiver Program, which allows nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for certain business or tourism purposes for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.

Greece's Membership in International Organizations

Greece and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. Greece also is a permanent observer to the Organization of American States.

Bilateral Representation

The U.S. Ambassador to Greece is Daniel B. Smith; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.

Greece maintains an embassy in the United States at 2217 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008; tel: (202) 939-1300.

More information about Greece is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:

Department of State Greece Country Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Greece Page
U.S. Embassy: Greece
History of U.S. Relations With Greece
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Investment Climate Statements
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Export.gov International Offices Page
Travel and Business Information




TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for Greece check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet.


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving U.S Driving Permit and International Driving Permit required
Currency (EUR) Euro
Electrical 220 Volts
Telephones Country Code 30, City Code Athens 21+8D, Thessaloniki 231+7D, Larissa 241+7D



Time: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used.

Telephone: IDD is available throughout the mainland and islands. The Greek telecommunication network supplier is Organismos Telepikinonion Ellados (OTE). Country code: 30, followed by (10) for Athens, (310) for Thessaloniki and (810) for Heraklion. Outgoing international code: 00.

Climate: Greece has a warm Mediterranean climate. In summer, dry hot days are often relieved by stiff breezes, especially in the north and coastal areas. Athens can be stiflingly hot, so visitors should allow time to acclimatise. The evenings are cool. Winters are mild in the south but much colder in the north. November to March is the rainy season.

Required clothing: Lightweight clothes during summer months, including protection from the midday sun. Light sweaters are needed for evenings. Rainproofs are advised for autumn. Winter months can be quite cold, especially in the northern mainland, so normal winter wear will be required.

Food & Drink: Restaurant and taverna food tends to be very simple, rarely involving sauces but with full use of local olive oil and charcoal grills. Dishes like dolmades (stuffed vine leaves), moussaka (aubergine casserole with minced lamb, cinnamon, red wine and olive oil), kebabs and avgolemono (chicken broth with rice, eggs, salt and lemon juice) can be found everywhere. Taramosalata (a dip made from fish roe, bread, onion, olive oil and lemon juice) and a variety of seafood dishes, especially squid (kalamari) or octopus, are excellent. Greek menus typically include a selection of meze (appetisers), such as keftedes (hot spicy meatballs) or tzatziki (a dip made from yoghurt, olive oil, garlic, shredded cucumber and dill). Salads are excellent and often made with the local feta cheese, tomato, cucumber and fresh olive oil. Other vegetarian specialities include gigantes (large white beans), kolokithakia (small boiled courgette with oil and lemon). Olives are cheap and plentiful. Deserts, such as baklavas (filo pastry filled with almonds and topped with honey, vanilla and sugar) or loukoumades (honey-drenched pastry puffs) are sweet and filling. All restaurants have a standard menu which includes the availability and price of each dish. A good proportion of the restaurants will serve international dishes. Hours are normally 1200-1500 for lunch and 2000-2400 for dinner. Waiter service is usual.
One of the best-known Greek drinks is retsina wine, made with pine-needle resin. Local spirits include ouzo, an aniseed-based clear spirit to which water is added and very similar to the French pastis. Local brandy is sharp and fiery. Greek coffee is served thick and strong, and sugared according to taste. Greek beer is a light Pilsner type. Opening hours vary according to the region and local laws.

Shopping: Special purchases include lace, jewellery, metalwork, pottery, garments and knitwear, furs, rugs, leather goods, local wines and spirits. Athens is the centre for luxury goods and local handicrafts. The flea markets in Monastiraki and Plaka, below the Acropolis, are all crowded in high season. Regional specialities include silver from Ioannina, ceramics from Sifnos and Skopelos, embroidery and lace from Skiros, Crete, Rhodes and the Ionian Islands, fur from Kastoria, alabaster from Crete and flokati rugs from the Epirus region. Note: (a) Visitors should be aware that most ‘antiques’ sold to tourists are fake; it is illegal to export any item of real antiquity without a special permit from the Export Department of the Ministry of Culture. (b) Non-EU citizens can get a refund on Greek VAT (4 per cent on books and 18 per cent on nearly everything else); the process is fairly complex, but well worth it. Non-EU visitors may buy goods from certain shops bearing the sign ‘Member of the Tax Free Club’ and have the VAT refunded, in cash, at special refund points at the airport. Ask store owners and tourist information offices for details.

Tipping: 12-15 per cent is usual.

Single European currency (Euro): The Euro is now the official currency of 12 EU member states (including Greece). The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002; the Greek Drachma was still in circulation until 28 February 2002, when it was completely replaced by the Euro. Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2, 1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Currency exchange: Foreign currency can be exchanged at all banks, savings banks and bureaux de change. Exchange rates can fluctuate from one bank to another. Many UK banks offer differing exchange rates depending on the denominations of currency being bought or sold. Check with banks for details and current rates.

Credit & debit cards: Diners Club, Visa, American Express, MasterCard and other major credit cards are widely accepted (although less so in petrol stations), as well as Eurocheque cards. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: All major currencies are widely accepted and can be exchanged easily at banks. Generally, banks in Greece charge a commission of 2 per cent with a minimum of €0.15 and a maximum of €13.21 on the encashment of travellers cheques. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

Cameras..................No restrictions

Film.........................Reasonable for personal use

Agricultural items....Refer to consulate

Currency..................Should be declared on arrival

Passengers from EU countries with duty-paid goods:


Tobacco....800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1000 grams of tobacco

Liquor...90 litres of wine (including 60 litres of sparkling wine); 10 litres of spirits; 20 litres of intermediate products (such os fortified wine); 110 litres of beer

Note: Although there is no legal limits imposed on importing duty-paid tobacco and alcoholic products from one eu country to another, travellers may be questioned at customs if they exceed the above amounts and may be asked to prove that the goods are for personal use only.

Passengers from other countries, or from EU countries with goods bought duty-free:


Tobacco....200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco

Liquer.....1 litre of alcoholic beverage over 22% or 2 litres of wine

Perfume....50 grams of perfume and 250ml of eau de cologne

Other goods.....500 grams of coffee or 200 grams of coffee extracts; 100 grams of tea or 40 grams of tea extracts

Gifts......Up to a total value of DR25,000

Restricted items....It is forbidden to bring in plants with soil. One windsurfboard per person may be imported/exported duty-free, if registered in the passport on arrival. The export of antiquities is prohibited without the express permission of the archaeological service in athens. Those who ignore this will be prosecuted.



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