Air quality in Greece: where to check and what to do

Short answer. Greece's environment ministry (ΥΠΕΝ) runs the national air pollution monitoring network and a live map of its measurements ¹. Phaenyx found no official national index scale; the European Environment Agency's index rates every station in six levels, from "good" to "extremely poor" ². If a wildfire reaches your home and you stay inside, Civil Protection says to close doors and windows firmly and block cracks with wet cloths against smoke ³.

Where can I check air quality right now?

On the ministry's "Air quality" page, which links to a dynamic map of measurements from the National Air Pollution Monitoring Network (ΕΔΠΑΡ), set up in 2001 ¹. The live values are not yet validated; validated data and an annual report are published separately on the same site ¹.

For all main pollutants on one map in English, the European Air Quality Index covers Greek stations hourly, with forecasts for the next 48 hours and a mobile app ².

What do the index levels mean?

Phaenyx found no official national index scale for Greece. The European index uses six levels: good, fair, moderate, poor, very poor and extremely poor ². For fine particles (PM2.5), "good" is 0-5 µg/m³ and "poor" starts at 51 µg/m³ ².

The EEA notes that its index shows the short-term (hourly) situation, not the long-term one ². See Air quality index explained.

How polluted is the air on average?

The population-weighted median of Greek cities shows about 15 µg/m³ of PM2.5 (annual mean 2021-2023) ⁴, three times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³ ⁶. Nitrogen dioxide is about 7.1 µg/m³ ⁵, below the WHO guideline of 10 µg/m³ ⁶. That NO2 figure is a regional background over roughly 80 km: a busy street in Athens or Thessaloniki will be higher.

The ministry describes two forms of the "νέφος" (smog cloud): a smoky smog with relatively low temperature and high humidity, and a photochemical smog with high temperatures, strong and long sunshine, low humidity and high levels of nitrogen oxides ¹. For hot, sunny smog days, see Ozone days.

What should I do on a bad air day, or with wildfire smoke?

• Bad air day: follow the EEA advice above, and see Pollution episodes, Sensitive people and polluted air and Children and polluted air.
• If you see a fire: call the Fire Service on 199 immediately, with your location and the fire's location and direction ³.
• If a fire reaches your home and you stay indoors: close all doors and windows firmly, block cracks with wet cloths to keep smoke out, close interior doors, fill the bathtub and buckets with spare water, gather in one room and keep a torch at hand ³. Do not shelter in a car ³. If relocation is ordered, follow the authorities' routes ³.
• Smoke from a distant fire: Phaenyx found no official Greek guidance. See Wildfire smoke, A clean-air room at home and Masks for smoke.
• Dust: Phaenyx found no official Greek guidance on dust episodes. See Dust storms.

How warnings reach you, including 112 messages, is on our Greece alerts page. A household plan can note who at home is sensitive to polluted air and where to stay on bad days.

Frequently asked questions

Does Greece have its own air quality index?

Phaenyx found no official national scale. The ministry publishes station measurements on a live map ¹; the EEA index covers Greece ².

Are the live readings official?

They come from the ministry's national network, but are not yet validated when shown ¹.

What number do I call to report a wildfire?

199, the Fire Service ³.

Is Greek air cleaner than the WHO guideline?

Not for fine particles: the median city is about 15 µg/m³ of PM2.5, against a guideline of 5 ⁴⁶.

Sources

1. Υπουργείο Περιβάλλοντος και Ενέργειας (ΥΠΕΝ) — Ποιότητα της Ατμόσφαιρας (Air quality; Internet Archive copy of 2 January 2026) — https://ypen.gov.gr/perivallon/poiotita-tis-atmosfairas/ (accessed 2026-10-27)
2. European Environment Agency (EEA) — European Air Quality Index — https://airindex.eea.europa.eu/AQI/index.html (accessed 2026-10-27)
3. Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection — Δασικές πυρκαγιές – Οδηγίες προστασίας (Forest fires – Protection guidelines; Internet Archive copy of 10 September 2026) — https://civilprotection.gov.gr/odigies-prostasias/dasikes-pyrkagies (accessed 2026-10-27)
4. Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group (ACAG), Washington University in St. Louis — Surface PM2.5, V6.GL.02.04 (annual mean 2021-2023) — https://sites.wustl.edu/acag/datasets/surface-pm2-5/ (accessed 2026-10-27)
5. Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) — CAMS global reanalysis (EAC4) — https://ads.atmosphere.copernicus.eu/ (accessed 2026-10-27)
6. World Health Organization (WHO) — WHO global air quality guidelines (2021) — https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240034228 (accessed 2026-10-27)