Greece:Visa Requirements

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Greece Visa Requirements Map

Greece: Visa Requirements

Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.

Visa-Free Entry Requirements

  • A passenger traveling under visa exemption must carry a passport or travel document recognized by the Greek authorities, valid and issued in their own name. Passengers enjoying the right of free movement may use a valid passport or national identity card for travel of up to three months.
  • The total permitted duration of stay for visa-exempt short-term travel is at most 90 days within any 180-day period. The exemption may not be used for the purpose of employment, long-term study, settlement, or residence exceeding 90 days.
  • Border authorities may request proof of return or onward travel reservation, accommodation, invitation information, and sufficient financial means to verify the purpose of travel and planned stay conditions. Visa exemption does not constitute an absolute right to enter the country.
  • For visa-exempt passengers outside the free movement regime, the exact minimum remaining validity period and number of blank pages required for the passport are not definitively specified in the selected central official source. Specific rules depending on the travel document should be checked with the relevant Greek diplomatic mission.
  • Biographical data, facial images, and fingerprints of third-country short-term travelers subject to the Entry/Exit System may be recorded at border crossing. The initial registration process may require additional time. This procedure is not an electronic travel authorization or visa application.

Consular Visa Application Requirements — Short-stay Schengen C visa

  • The application must be submitted to the competent Greek diplomatic mission, consulate, or official visa application center appointed in the country of residence, provided that Greece is the main destination of travel. A residence permit or similar document proving that the applicant legally resides in the country of application may be requested.
  • The Schengen visa application form must be completed fully and accurately and signed by the applicant. For minor applicants, the form is signed by a parent or legal guardian. Each traveler must submit a separate application, even if registered in the same passport.
  • The passport or travel document must have been issued within the last ten years, contain at least two blank visa pages, and be valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from the Schengen area. If multiple journeys are planned, the validity is calculated based on the last planned date of departure.
  • A recent, color photograph complying with ICAO standards must be submitted. The exact dimensions, background color, date of taking limit, file format, and number of photographs applicable to all applications are not definitively specified in the central official source. The current checklist of the mission where the application is submitted applies.
  • The applicant's fingerprints are taken again if they have not been recorded in the Visa Information System during a previous Schengen visa application within the last 59 months. Certain age and status groups may be exempt from the obligation to provide biometric data. The consulate may summon the applicant for a personal interview if necessary.
  • Supporting documents demonstrating the purpose and conditions of travel must be submitted. These may include round-trip or onward travel reservation, accommodation proof, hotel reservation, invitation letter, travel itinerary, business or meeting invitation, and event registration, depending on the purpose of travel.
  • For visits with an invitation, the name, address, contact details of the inviting person, purpose and dates of the visit must be stated. Copies of the inviting person's identity document, passport or residence permit, as well as documents showing that they cover accommodation or expenses, may be requested. The requirement for the invitation to be certified by a notary, police, citizens' service center, or another competent authority may vary depending on the consulate where the application is submitted.
  • The applicant must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial means to cover travel expenses through bank statements, salary documents, credit card statements, or other evidence of regular income. From employees, an employer letter with position and salary information and leave approval; from students, a current student certificate; from self-employed persons or company owners, company registration documents may be requested.
  • The number of months that the bank statement must cover is not definitively specified in the central official source. Different periods of three or six months are used in official local checklists. A single universal minimum amount required in the bank account is also not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • Travel health insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros must be submitted. The insurance must cover emergency medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation for medical reasons including death. The policy must be valid throughout the entire Schengen area and for the entire planned duration of stay.
  • From minor applicants, a birth certificate, copies of the identity documents or passports of the parents or legal guardian, and a notarized parental consent letter if the child travels alone or with one parent may be requested. In cases of custody, death, or single parenthood, relevant official evidence may be required.
  • The requirements for translation, notarization, apostille, or legalization of documents vary according to the country of application, the authority that issued the document, and the purpose of travel. The applicant must only use the current document checklist published for their own consular district.
  • The standard Schengen A and C visa fee is 90 euros. Reduction or exemption may apply based on age, family relationship, international agreements, or application category. The equivalent in local currency, payment in cash or by card, and external service provider fee vary according to the application center.
  • The application may be submitted no earlier than six months before the planned travel. As a rule, the application must be submitted at least 15 days before travel. The standard processing time is 15 calendar days; in individual cases requiring further examination, the period may be extended up to 45 calendar days.
  • A short-stay visa is issued for a total stay of at most 90 days within any 180-day period. Whether it is single-entry or multiple-entry, validity dates, and number of permitted days are indicated on the visa sticker. The visa must be used for the purpose declared at the time of application, such as tourism, family or friend visit, business, short-term study, cultural event, medical treatment, or transit.
  • The issuance of a visa does not constitute a guarantee of entry into the country. The traveler must be able to present their valid passport, visa, and documents verifying the purpose of travel, accommodation, financial means, and return plan at the border. The consulate or border authority may request additional documents and explanations.

Long-stay National D visa

  • The national D visa application must be made to the Greek diplomatic mission or consulate responsible for the applicant's legal residence. The applicant must in principle appear in person, attend an interview, and submit general documents together with documents specific to the chosen residence purpose. In some visa categories, it is possible to submit documents through a duly appointed external service provider.
  • The national visa application form must be completed fully and signed. The form includes identity information, marital status, travel document details, residence address, occupation, purpose of travel, planned date of entry, address in Greece, inviting person, employer, company or educational institution information. For minors, information and signature of parent or legal guardian are required.
  • A recent, color photograph complying with ICAO standards must be attached to the application form. The exact dimensions, background color, and technical file specifications are not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • The passport or recognized travel document must have been issued within the last ten years, contain at least two blank pages, and be valid for at least three months after the planned date of final departure. Consideration of an exception to the validity requirement in justified urgent cases is at the discretion of the competent authority.
  • A criminal record certificate issued by the competent authority of the applicant's country of residence must be submitted. If the applicant has lived in a country other than their country of citizenship for more than one year before the application, the consulate may, under certain conditions, also request a criminal record certificate from the country of citizenship.
  • A medical report from a recognized public or private health institution, stating that the applicant does not have a disease that poses a risk to public health, must be submitted. The institutions that may issue the report and the required form of approval may vary depending on the mission where the application is submitted.
  • Travel health insurance valid for at least the duration of the visa to be issued must be submitted. The insurance must cover repatriation for medical reasons, emergency medical care, and emergency hospital expenses. The exact minimum coverage amount applicable to national visa insurance is not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • The contract, letter of acceptance, permit, approval, invitation, family relationship, or financial capacity documents required for employment, education, research, family reunification, investment, professional activity, or another long-term residence purpose are determined according to the national visa category applied for. There is no single list of purpose documents applicable to all applicants.
  • The standard national D visa fee is 180 euros. The published fee for a national D visa for study purposes is 90 euros. Exemptions, local currency, payment method, and service charges may vary depending on the mission where the application is submitted.
  • A national D visa is issued for entry and stay longer than 90 days and up to a maximum of 365 days. General validity may be up to one year; a shorter period applies for some purposes. National visas are not extendable. Single or multiple entry rights, work authorization, and whether a residence permit application is required after arrival in Greece are determined according to the relevant visa category.
  • A definitive period applicable to all categories regarding how far in advance the application for a national visa can be submitted and the general processing time is not definitively specified in the central official source. The consulate may request additional documents, verification, or an interview, and submission of documents does not guarantee visa issuance.

Transit Visa Requirements

  • An airport transit visa type A must be applied for when it is required to change aircraft at an airport in Greece without leaving the international transit area. If during transit there will be a passport check, a change of airport, or the next flight is an intra-Schengen flight, an airport transit visa is not sufficient; a short-stay C type visa may be necessary.
  • The Schengen application form must be completed fully and signed by the applicant. For minor applicants, the form is signed by a parent or legal guardian.
  • The passport or travel document must be valid and recognized by the Greek authorities, must have been issued within the last ten years, contain at least two blank visa pages, and be valid for at least three months after the planned date of return or final departure.
  • A copy of the passport's identity page and copies of previous visas and entry-exit stamps may be requested according to the local checklist. From non-citizens of the country of application, proof of a residence and work permit valid also on the date of return may be requested.
  • A recent identity photograph must be submitted. The number of photographs and exact technical specifications vary according to the checklist of the mission where the application is submitted. It is not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • A flight plan showing the transfer in Greece, onward flight ticket or reservation, and a reasonable explanation of the travel itinerary must be submitted. If the final destination country requires a visa or residence permit, a valid document showing admission to that country must also be submitted.
  • In a pure airport transit visa application, since the traveler is limited to entering the international transit area, proof of travel health insurance is not required. If entry into the Schengen area is made during transit, the insurance and other entry conditions of the C type visa apply.
  • From minor applicants, copies of the passports of the parents or legal guardian, a notarized travel consent letter, and, if necessary, proof of custody may be requested.
  • The standard fee for an airport transit visa type A is 90 euros. Reduction, exemption, local currency, and payment method may vary according to the applicant's situation and the mission where the application is submitted.
  • The application may be submitted no earlier than six months before the planned transit date and must, as a rule, be submitted at least 15 days in advance. The normal processing time is 15 calendar days; in cases requiring detailed examination, it may be extended up to 45 calendar days.
  • Whether the visa is valid for single or multiple transit is indicated on the visa sticker. A type A visa may only be used in the international transit areas of the specified airports and does not grant the right to enter Greece or the Schengen area. The consulate may request additional documents regarding the itinerary, admission to the final destination country, and purpose of travel.
Population
9,897,115(2026 est.)
Official language
Greek
Government type
Parliamentary republic
Continent
Europe
Capital
Athens
Currency
Euro
Area
131,957 km²
Phone code
+30

Greece: Key Destinations

Athens is the capital and primary international gateway for Greece, with major airports and ferry connections. Thessaloniki and Heraklion serve as key urban hubs in the north and Crete.

Greece offers a wealth of cultural heritage, from ancient ruins like the Acropolis to vibrant local festivals. The Greek islands, including Santorini and Mykonos, are renowned for their unique landscapes and coastal charm.

Travelers often structure trips around Athens, then island-hop via ferry or short flights. Mainland destinations like Delphi and Meteora provide additional cultural and natural attractions.