The UK Foreign Office has issued a new travel warning to tourists travelling to Greece. The advice comes for holidaymakers in the LGBTQ community, as they are urged to stay alert after a spate of violent attacks.

In an update to its Foreign travel advice website, the passage for travellers to Greece reads: “Same-sex sexual relations are legal in Greece and civil unions between same-sex couples have been legal since 2015 and same sex marriage was legalised in February 2024.

“The age of consent in Greece is 15, this applies to partners of both the same sex and opposite sex. Transgender people are able to change their legal gender. 

“Anti-discrimination and hate speech laws apply to gender identity. Public attitudes towards same-sex sexual activity vary throughout the country; showing affection in public by same-sex couples may be frowned upon, especially in rural areas.

“Attitudes are generally much more welcoming in Athens and on many Greek islands, particularly on Lesvos, Mykonos and Skiathos. See our information and advice page for the LGBT+ community before you travel.”

But recently, two 21-year-old trans people were allegedly chased and attacked by a mob of people abusing them with homophobic slurs and throwing bottles at them. 

The attack came days after a gay couple made history with a same-sex wedding in Greece in March. 

A large group of LGBTQ+ individuals and their supporters protested against transphobia in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, on March 10. 

They gathered in Aristotelous Square, where the attack happened, and then marched through the city streets. 

They chanted slogans, waved Pride flags, and held banners condemning fascism, homophobia, and transphobia. 

The demonstration brought together LGBTQ+ individuals, women’s groups, anti-fascist alliances, and student organisers to stand united against hate.