Page 112 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Corfu & the Ionian Islands

110 ❯❯ Streetsmart

Practical Information

Passports and Visas Travel Safety Advice de hydration. If dehydrated,
seek medical help.
Visitors from outside the Visitors can get up-to-date Medical facilities
European Economic Area travel safety information provided by the Greek
(EEA), European Union from the UK Foreign and national health service
(EU) and from Switzerland Commonwealth Office, are generally good,
need a valid passport to the US Department of although facilities on the
travel to Greece, as do UK State and the Australian smaller islands can be
visitors; most other EU Department of Foreign limited. In larger towns,
nationals require only a Affairs and Trade. hospitals are usually
valid identity card. Visitors modern, with accident
from Canada, Australia, Travel Insurance and emergency
New Zealand and the US departments.
can stay for up to 90 days Buying travel insurance is In a medical emergency
without a visa, as long as advisable when travelling call an ambulance. Your
their passport is valid for to the Ionians, and should hotel should be able to
6 months beyond the date cover theft, loss, medical recommend local doc tors
of entry. For longer stays, problems, emergency who can assist with minor
a visa is necessary and medical and repatriation medical problems. Doctors’
must be obtained in needs and travel delays. fees are payable immedi-
advance from the nearest If you plan to rent a car, ately on treatment and a
Greek embassy. For more consider buying a stand- receipt will be given for
details, check the website alone rental policy before insurance purposes.
of the Greek Ministry of leaving home, as this will Consult a pharmacist for
Foreign Affairs. Most be much cheaper than minor ailments. They are
countries have consular buying the rental highly trained and, as well
representation in Athens, company’s cover. as giving advice, can pre-
including the USA, scribe and dispense some
Canada, the UK, Australia Health medicines. If you take pre-
and New Zealand. scription medi cines pack
EU citizens are entitled to enough for your stay as
Customs and free emergency medical the local pharmacies may
Immigration care due to the reciprocal not stock the same medi-
arrange ments in place ca tion. Call the out-of-
Goods for per sonal use with Greece, but they will hours pharmacies hotline
only (such as perfumes need to show a valid pass- for local pharmacy hours.
and alcohol) do not have port and European Health
official limits within the Insurance Card (EHIC) for Personal Security
EU. There is no restriction registration at the hospital.
on the amount of money Get the card from the EHIC The Ionian Islands are a
EU nationals can carry website before you travel. relatively safe destination,
for holiday use. However, The EHIC system offers although reports of petty
large sums of €10,000 only emergency treatment theft and assaults tend to
or more should be in the Greek public health occur more frequently in
declared on entry. system and is not intended the tourist areas than in
The import of perishable to replace travel insurance, villages. It is wise to take
food to Greece from non- so all EU as well as non- sensible precautions.
EU coun tries is strictly EU visitors should also Rental cars can be a
prohibited, as is the have insurance to cover tar get for criminals so
removal of archaeo logical private medical treatment. make sure any valuables
artifacts and antiquities The sun can be very hot are locked in the boot.
without the prior official in the summer so wear The general emergency
permission of the sunscreen and a hat number can be called
Archaeological Service when outdoors, and drink when faced with any
in Athens. plenty of water to avoid emergency situation.

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