Posted by 🧳 What can I bring with me? (2026)
Whether by plane, car, or ferry – anyone traveling to Greece quickly finds themselves wondering:
👉 “How many cigarettes can I bring?”
👉 “What are the rules regarding alcohol?”
👉 “Can I bring in sausage, cheese, or coffee?”
The good news:
Greece is part of the European Union (EU) – therefore, there are no standard customs controls within the EU.
However, there are quantity restrictions and import bans for certain products.
This article clearly explains what you can and cannot bring to Greece in 2025, and what the rules are for returning to Germany.
1. Customs between Germany and Greece – EU rules
Since both countries are members of the European Union, the following applies:
no customs checks at the border,
no declaration required for goods for personal use,
no import VAT within the EU.
👉 But:
Special rules and quantity restrictions apply to tobacco, alcohol, cash, medicines, weapons, animals, plants and food.
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2. Cigarettes and tobacco – duty-free allowances within the EU
You can freely bring tobacco products into the EU for personal use – but only in quantities typical for a household.
Customs authorities use guidelines to determine whether the quantities still fall under “personal use”.
| product | duty-free allowance | Notice |
|---|---|---|
| cigarettes | 800 pieces (4 bars) | |
| Cigarillos | 400 pieces | |
| Cigars | 200 pieces | |
| smoking tobacco | 1 kg |
💡 Important:
These quantities apply only to persons over 17 years of age.
Anyone carrying more must be able to prove that it is not intended for resale (e.g., different brands, opened cartons).
When entering from non-EU countries (e.g., Turkey, Albania):
Only 200 cigarettes or 250 g of tobacco are permitted.
3. Alcohol – permitted quantities within the EU
There are also guidelines for alcohol for personal use:
| beverage | duty-free allowance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Beer | 110 liters | approximately 220 cans |
| Wine (still) | 90 liters | 120 bottles |
| sparkling wine | 60 liters | 80 bottles |
| Spirits over 22% | 10 liters | e.g. Ouzo, Whisky |
| Alcohol up to 22% | 20 liters | e.g. liqueur, Metaxa 7* |
💡 Note:
Only for persons aged 17 and over.
There is no quantity limit within the EU, as long as it remains for private use.
Customs may ask questions about obviously large quantities (multiple boxes).
4. Cash & Means of Payment
Carrying cash within the EU is generally unrestricted.
👉 Amounts of cash must be declared if they exceed €10,000 (or the equivalent in foreign currency).
When traveling within the EU (e.g., Germany ↔ Greece)
→ No declaration is required at the border.
When entering or leaving the EU (e.g., via Turkey)
→ Cash exceeding €10,000 must be declared in writing.
5. Food & Plants
Within the EU, food for personal use can be imported without any problems:
✅ Allowed:
Bread, cheese, sausage, chocolate, pastries
Coffee, tea, spices
Fruits and vegetables (safe varieties)
Honey, jam, pasta, rice
🚫 Prohibited or restricted:
Fresh meat, milk, fish, or eggs from non-EU countries
Plants with soil or seeds from non-EU countries
Wild animals, shellfish, coral (CITES regulations)
💡 Tip:
Greeks like to eat local – many products (e.g., feta, olives, honey) are better and cheaper locally.
6. Medications
Medications may be brought in for personal use.
It is important that they:
are in their original packaging,
and are accompanied by a doctor’s prescription (in English or German) if they are prescription or narcotic medications.
🚫 Prohibited:
Narcotics (morphine, methadone, etc.) without special authorization.
💡 Tip:
Take the package insert with you – Greek customs officers usually understand English, but Latin drug names are helpful.
7. Animals, Meat & Animal Products
Within the EU, you may bring meat, dairy products, and eggs for personal use.
However:
This is strictly prohibited when entering from non-EU countries (e.g., Turkey, Albania, North Macedonia).
Violations are subject to heavy fines.
💡 Pets (e.g., dogs, cats) also require an EU pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old).
8. Plants & Seeds
Within the EU: permitted, no restrictions.
From non-EU countries: phytosanitary certificate required.
Prohibited items include:
Soil,
Plants with roots,
Seeds of exotic species.
💡 Tip:
You can easily buy and bring olive oil, dried herbs, or spices with you.
9. Import of animals and animal products
| product | EU allowed? | Non-EU allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Meat & Sausage | ✅ yes | 🚫 no |
| Milk & Cheese | ✅ yes | 🚫 no |
| Fish & Seafood | ✅ yes | 🚫 only small quantities |
| Honey | ✅ yes | ✅ up to 2 kg |
| pets | ✅ with EU passport | ✅ with proof of vaccination |
💡 CITES-protected products (e.g. tortoiseshell, coral, ivory) are strictly prohibited.
10. Weapons, Knives & Self-Defense
Firearms may only be imported with an EU Firearms Pass.
Pepper spray, stun guns, and batons are not permitted or only with authorization.
Pocket knives with a blade length of less than 12 cm are permitted (for camping).
💡 Generally prohibited in carry-on baggage – only transport in checked baggage.
11. Alcohol & Cigarettes on the Return Journey to Germany
Since Greece is an EU member, the same limits for personal use apply on the return journey:
| product | Guideline quantity |
|---|---|
| cigarettes | 800 pieces |
| Cigars | 200 pieces |
| smoking tobacco | 1 kg |
| Wine | 90 liters |
| Beer | 110 liters |
| Spirits over 22% | 10 liters |
💡 For larger quantities, customs may make inquiries – e.g., for several identical cases of alcohol. See: Cigarettes Greece incl. prices, Alcohol prices Greece, Price level Greece
12. Entry from non-EU countries (e.g., Türkiye, Albania)
If you are entering via a non-EU country, strict limits apply:
| product | duty-free allowance | remark |
|---|---|---|
| cigarettes | 200 Piece | 1 bar |
| Cigarillos | 100 Piece | |
| Cigars | 50 Piece | |
| tobacco | 250 g | |
| Alcohol content over 22% | 1 liter | |
| Alcohol up to 22% | 2 liters | |
| Wine | 4 liters | |
| Beer | 16 liters | |
| perfume | 50 ml | |
| Coffee | 500 g | |
| tea | 100 g |
💡 Exceeding the limits will result in customs duties, import taxes, and fines.
In Greece, the borders with Turkey and Albania are regularly monitored. See: Smoking in Greece
13. Duty-Free & Allowances for Air Travelers
Air travelers arriving from non-EU countries are permitted to shop duty-free – for example, in duty-free shops.
Example:
A passenger from Switzerland or Turkey may import a maximum of 1 liter of spirits and 200 cigarettes duty-free.
Within the EU (e.g., a flight from Munich to Athens), there is no longer a duty-free zone.
Goods sold there are already taxed.
14. Mail & Online Orders
For packages from abroad:
Within the EU: no customs duties.
From non-EU countries: import VAT is levied on goods valued at €1 or more (formerly €22).
💡 Example:
If you order through Amazon UK or AliExpress, customs fees may apply.
15. Prohibited Items
The import of the following is strictly prohibited:
Drugs & narcotics,
counterfeit branded goods,
unauthorized weapons & ammunition,
animals and plants of protected species (CITES),
antiques & archaeological finds,
pyrotechnic articles (fireworks, firecrackers),
pornographic material (punishable under Greek law).
💡 Greece has strict laws protecting cultural heritage – never bring ancient coins or stones!
16. Customs Checks Upon Entry
Even though there are no border controls within the EU, random checks may be carried out –
especially at:
Airports (e.g., Athens, Heraklion, Thessaloniki),
Ferry ports (Piraeus, Patras, Igoumenitsa),
Border crossings to non-EU countries.
💡 Domestic flights (Athens–Crete, Thessaloniki–Santorini) are exempt from customs checks.
17. Customs on Ferries (Italy–Greece)
Many travelers arrive by ferry from Italy (e.g., Ancona, Bari, Brindisi, Venice).
Since both countries are EU members:
no customs checks,
but random vehicle searches are possible (especially for motorhomes).
💡 The same EU rules apply when returning to Italy – no restrictions on personal use.
18. Customs for Pets
For dogs, cats, and ferrets:
EU pet passport with microchip,
rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old),
maximum 5 animals per person.
Many beaches in Greece are dog-friendly, but leash laws and cleanliness are strictly enforced.
19. Fines for Violations
| violation | Penalty | remark |
|---|---|---|
| Exceeding the duty-free allowances | €100–500 | + Pay additional taxes |
| Smuggling / commercial import | from €1000 | + Criminal proceedings |
| Drugs, weapons, cultural artifacts | from €5000 | + Imprisonment possible |
💡 Ignorance is no excuse – if in doubt, it’s best to check beforehand or ask customs.
20. Conclusion – Customs & Import Regulations for Greece 2025
Traveling to Greece is easy – there are hardly any restrictions within the EU.
It’s only important to be aware of the limits for alcohol, tobacco, and cash.
👉 In short:
No customs checks within the EU
Tobacco: 800 cigarettes
Alcohol: 10 liters of spirits / 90 liters of wine
Cash: Must be declared if it exceeds €10,000
Food: Allowed for personal use
Meat & milk from non-EU countries: Prohibited
This is how you can travel through Greece relaxed, legally, and without unpleasant surprises. 🇬🇷✈️