Entering Greece for a short-stay

Post-COVID travel in Greece

As of Spring 2022, foreigners traveling to Greece do not need to provide proof of vaccination, a recovery certificate, or a negative PCR/rapid test. Presenting a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) is optional, according to the Greek government. Face masks are no longer required indoors, but they are still mandatory on all forms of public transport.

Visa exemption for EU/EEA/ Swiss passport holders in Greece

If you hold a passport from the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, you do not require a short-term entry visa for Greece. You only need a visa if your stay exceeds 90 days. Freedom of movement is ensured, and all that is needed is a passport or national ID.

Additional visa exemptions for Greece

Greece has signed visa liberalization agreements with other countries, including Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Singapore, Serbia, Seychelles, Paraguay, and Ukraine.

The complete list can be found on the MFA's website.

Short-term visa for third-country nationals

If you are a third-country national and do not hold a passport from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you need a short-term visa to enter Greece. This visa allows you to stay in Greece or transit through the country for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Any stay beyond the 90-day limit would require a long-term or National D visa. You can find all the necessary information to apply for a short-term visa, also known as a Schengen visa, on the MFA website.

Airport Transit Visa (ATV)

When switching to a connecting flight at the airport, some third-country nationals require an airport transit visa in selected Schengen member states. The ATV only allows the holder to remain in the international transit area of the airport; it does not permit the holder to enter Greece. Third-country nationals from Sudan and Syria are the only countries mandated by Greece to hold an ATV.

When is an ATV needed?

If you are taking a connecting flight via a Greek airport towards your final destination, requiring you to wait in the airport's international transit area, you must hold an ATV.

The essential documents required to apply for an ATV include the following:

• A valid travel document, passport, or ID.
• Two recent passport-style photos (taken within the last two months)
• You also need to provide additional evidence in the form of a return flight ticket to your final destination.
• Proof of travel insurance with minimum coverage of €30,000.
• A valid visa for the final country of destination (if appropriate).
• Proof of payment of visa fee.

Greek Transit Visa

If you're a seafarer or passenger who needs to leave a ship at a Greek port on the mainland or islands and travel to another destination by another ship, you may need to apply for a Greek transit visa.

To apply, you'll need to provide a valid visa (if applicable) for your final destination, a ticket to your destination country, a valid seaman's book, a letter of invitation from the shipping company, an application from the shipping company, your employment contract, and medical certification of fitness.

Schengen Visa (Short stay, type C Visa) for Greece

A Schengen Visa, also known as Type C, enables the bearer to transit or stay in Greece for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day timeframe. It's important to note that the visa's validity depends on the length of your visit, which can be up to 5 years. As a result, there are several options for how these visas are issued:

• A Single-Entry visa: one continuous stay but not exceeding 90 days and taken within the dates specified on the visa. Once you leave Schengen territory, you are not able to return.
• A Double-Entry visa: With a Double-Entry visa, you are allowed to visit a Schengen destination twice within the timeframe specified on the visa. However, the total duration of both stays must not exceed 90 days within 6 months (as per the 90/180 Schengen visa rule). This means that you can leave and re-enter the Schengen area as long as you don't exceed the allowed duration of stay.
• A Multiple Entry visa: If you hold a Multiple Entry visa, you can make several stays within the specified dates mentioned on the visa, as long as each stay does not exceed 90 days within a total period of 6 months. This type of visa allows unlimited entry and exit to the Schengen area as long as you follow the 90/180 rule.

Types of Multiple entry visa:

You have the option to apply for one of the multiple-entry visas listed below, depending on how frequently you travel to the Schengen area:

• 1-year multiple-entry visa:

The 1-year multiple-entry visa allows the holder to enter Greece as many times as they want within a year, as long as their stay does not exceed 90 days during this period. Applicants must have held and legally used three visas in the last two years to be eligible for this visa.

• 3-year multiple-entry visa:

The 3-year multiple-entry visa permits the holder to enter Greece (and the Schengen area) an unlimited number of times within a 3-year period, provided they follow the 90/180 days rule. To be eligible for this visa, applicants must have previously held and legally used a valid multiple-entry visa within the last two years.

• 5-year multiple-entry visa:

The 5-year multiple-entry visa also allows the holder to enter Greece (and the Schengen area) an unlimited number of times within a 5-year period, provided they adhere to the 90/180 days rule. Applicants must have held and legally used a multiple-entry visa valid for at least two years within the last three years to be eligible for this visa.

Long-term National visa for Greece

The Long-term/long-stay visa (National – D Type visa) allows individuals to stay in the Schengen area, specifically in Greece, for more than 90 days. This is a suitable option for foreign nationals who wish to work or study in Greece. With a long-term visa, the holder is permitted to stay for up to one year and then apply for a residence permit using their D-Type visa at their local Municipality immigration center, such as Petrou Rallis/Salaminias in Athens.

The D-Type visa is tailored to your intended activities in Greece, such as work or study, and should be applied for directly at your local visa center or the nearest Greek consulate in your home country.

Read also Finding work in Greece

The long-term visa can vary in type, conditional on your stay in Greece. Below are some of the different visa types offered:

• Work Visa
• Voluntary work Visa
• Studies Visa
• Academic research Visa
• Events Visa (cultural, scientific, religious)
• Family reunification
• Tour leaders Visa
• Digital Nomad Visa

Please note that any citizens of EU/EEA member countries do not need a visa to travel to Greece, as they can freely enter to live and work under the freedom of movement agreement that was set out in 2004.

Read also Work visas for Greece

Applying for a visa to travel to Greece

Non-EU/EEA citizens who require a visa to enter Greece can refer to these requirements to determine the necessary documents for their visa application.

These documents are essential for a Schengen visa:

• A valid passport or travel document that must be valid for at least three months following the visa application submission.
• Two passport-style photos that fit the photo guidelines (and are usually 35 x 45mm).
• The 80 euro fee is necessary for the submission of the Visa.

What are the specific documents required for the Schengen visa application in Greece?

• Greek Visa application form: Complete the application form and ensure it is accurate. Print and sign it where required. Double-check the application for any errors to avoid issues during the application process.
• Two passport photos: The photos should comply with the Schengen Visa application guidelines (35 x 45mm) and be identical.
• Your valid passport: Ensure your passport meets the Schengen members' guidelines, including having four blank pages, being valid throughout your stay in Greece, and issued within the last ten years.
• Copies of previously held visas (if applicable).
• Schengen Travel Health insurance: Purchase health insurance that covers Greece and the entire Schengen area. The coverage should be a minimum of €30,000 in case of a medical emergency.
• Flight trip itinerary: Submit a document from your airline showing outbound and return flights from Greece. The document should include the flight number, dates, and your name/details.
• Proof of accommodation in Greece: Submit a document detailing your hotel stay with booking information or a rental agreement from your landlord. The rental agreement should be their Taxisnet of the property, stating the landlord's intention to host you.
• Proof of sufficient financial means to cover your stay in Greece: Submit proof of funds of 50€ per day for the duration of your stay in Greece.
• Cover letter/letter of purpose: Submit a personal statement explaining why you are applying to come to Greece and what you intend to do there. This is especially important for work or study purposes.
• Proof of Civil status: Submit documents such as birth, death, or marriage certificates to prove your civil status.

While most visa applications for Greece will need the documents listed above, additional documents may be necessary depending on the purpose of your visit. Here are some examples:

For work-related stays, you may need to provide the following:

• A contract from your employer
• Recent bank statements from the last four months
• A letter from your employer authorizing your leave
• A form detailing your income tax return

For study-related stays, you may need to provide the following:

• Proof or a letter of enrollment from your university, including details of your admission, courses, and start and end dates
• Proof of accommodation for the duration of your studies

What is the processing time for a Greek visa?

To ensure sufficient time for processing, it is recommended to submit your application at least 3 months prior to your travel date. The processing time for a Greek visa can range from as short as 15 days to as long as 60 days during peak periods. Factors that may cause delays include necessary communication between Greek consulates and other agencies involved in processing your application.

What is the cost of a Greek Visa for Schengen?

The cost of the visa fees varies according to the traveler:

• Visa fee for adult, €80
• Visa fee for Children aged 6-12 years, €40
• Visa fee for infants/Children under 6 years, no charge

Extending or renewing a visa to stay in Greece

If you wish to extend your stay in Greece with a Schengen visa, it's important to note that there are no renewal processes available. Instead, you can apply for an extension if you meet certain criteria. Failure to do so can result in fines ranging from €600 to €1,200 for overstaying beyond the 90-day limit. Schengen visas are valid for 90 days in a 6-month period, so planning ahead is crucial.

Extensions are granted only in rare and exceptional circumstances, such as personal threats of violence or persecution, humanitarian reasons, or force majeure. Force majeure refers to unforeseeable and uncontrollable events that prevent you from returning home, such as natural disasters, war, violence, protests, political instability, or the absence of flight connections.

Humanitarian reasons may include requiring medical attention or being unable to travel due to a health condition. Additionally, a serious personal matter, such as the death of a close relative, could be grounds for an extension. Applications for extensions are strictly judged according to these conditions, but individual details of each case will also be considered.

To extend your Schengen Visa, certain requirements must be met. These include:

• Severe circumstances or health conditions that warrant the extension.
• Providing evidence of dangerous or threatening conditions in your home country that prevent your return or medical evidence preventing your travel.
• Valid passport or travel document that is less than 10 years old and valid for the next 6 months to cover the extension.
• Bank statements or evidence of financial support during the extension period.
• Proof of international health insurance that will cover you during the extension period and any required treatments.

The Schengen visa extension allows for an additional 90 days, but it is important to remember the 90/180 days rule.

The cost of a Schengen Visa extension is €30, but in certain cases, the fee can be waived. If the applicant can provide evidence of humanitarian reasons preventing their return home or if they hold a diplomatic passport or are part of a diplomatic mission, the fee may be waived.

There are various ways to extend your stay in Greece, depending on your individual plans and circumstances:

• A Long-term, National “D” Type visa is an option for a year-long stay.
• As an alternative, you could apply for asylum if you fear facing death or severe injury upon returning home. For more information, you can visit the UNHCR's website in Greece.

Useful links:

Visas for Greece

Greece Visa Types, Requirements, Application & Guidelines

Schengen Visa Types & Validity, Duration of Stay, 90/180 Rule & Visa Sticker

Schengen Visa - Europe Short Stay Visa Types and Application