Welcome to our Greece visa guide! Whether you are planning a short vacation or a long-term stay, Greece has a lot to offer tourists, students, and professionals alike. With its breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture, Greece has become one of the most popular destinations for travelers around the world. However, before you can explore this beautiful country, you must first obtain the appropriate visa. Our website is designed to provide you with all the information you need to successfully navigate the Greek visa application process. From understanding the different types of visas available to providing detailed instructions on how to apply, our guide will help you ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience.
Who must need a Greece Visa?
The requirements for a Greece visa to enter Greece will depend on the traveler’s nationality, the purpose of their visit, and the length of their intended stay.
1- Individuals that are nationals of the following mentioned countries are not eligible to enter Greece without a Greece Visa;
- Estonia
- Finland
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Latvia
- Malta
- Norway
- Poland
- Sweden
- Slovenia
- Slovakia
- Liechtenstein
- Cameroon
- Ivory Coast
- Cuba
- Djibouti
- Gambia
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Jordan
- Liberia
- Mali
- Sierra Leone
- Syria
- Togo
2- Individuals that are nationals of the following mentioned countries are eligible to stay in Greece for short-term without a Greece Visa;
- Andorra
- United Arab Emirates
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Albania
- Argentina
- Australia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Barbados
- Brunei
- Brazil
- Bahamas
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominica
- Micronesia
- United Kingdom
- Grenada
- Georgia
- Guatemala
- Hong Kong
- Honduras
- Israel
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- South Korea
- Saint Lucia
- Monaco
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Marshall Islands
- North Macedonia
- Macau
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Malaysia
- Nicaragua
- New Zealand
- Panama
- Peru
- Palau
- Paraguay
- Serbia
- Solomon Islands
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- San Marino
- El Salvador
- Timor-Leste
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
- Taiwan
- Ukraine
- United States
- Uruguay
- Vatican City
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Venezuela
- Vanuatu
- Samoa
Also, see: Germany Visa Guide 2023
Also, see: Georgia Visa Guide 2023
Types of Greece Visa
There are several types of Greece visas available for travelers who wish to visit Greece, depending on the purpose and length of their stay. Here are the most common types of Greece visas:
- Schengen Visa
- National Visa
- Transit Visa
- Airport Transit Visa
- Seafarers Visa
- Tourist Visa
- Visitor Visa
- Business Visa
- Medical Visa
- Cultural Visa
- Student Visa
It’s important to note that the application process, requirements, and fees can vary depending on the type of Greece visa and the individual circumstances of the traveler.
About Greece Schengen Visa
The Greece Schengen Visa is a type of short-term visa that allows travelers to visit Greece and other countries in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The Schengen Area is a group of 26 European countries that have abolished passports and other types of border control at their common borders, making it easy to travel across countries without the need for multiple visas.
The Greece Schengen Visa is suitable for travelers who plan to visit Greece for tourism, business, or to visit family and friends. To apply for a Greece Schengen Visa, the traveler needs to submit their application to the Greek embassy or consulate in their home country or country of residence. Some common types of Greece Schengen Visa include;
- Tourist Visa
- Business Visa
- Visiting Visa
- Cultural Visa
About Greece National Visa
A Greece National Visa, also known as a D visa, is a visa that allows the holder to stay in Greece for a period longer than 90 days. This type of visa is intended for travelers who plan to study, work, or reside in Greece for an extended period of time.
The Greece National Visa is issued by the Greek embassy or consulate in the traveler’s country of residence. The visa application requirements and process may vary depending on the purpose of the visit and the length of stay. Some common types of Greece National Visas include:
- Student Visa
- Work Visa
- Family Reunification Visa
- Retirement Visa
- Entrepreneur Visa
Requirements to get a Greece Visa
Here are some of the typical requirements for obtaining a Greece Visa:
- A valid passport or travel document, with at least two blank pages and a validity of at least three months beyond the intended stay in Greece
- Completed Greece Schengen Visa application form, signed by the applicant
- Two recent passport-sized photos, with a white background
- Travel itinerary, including flight bookings, accommodation reservations, and details of the planned activities in Greece
- Travel medical insurance, covering at least €30,000 for medical emergencies, hospitalization, and repatriation expenses
- Proof of financial means, such as bank statements, credit card statements, or a letter from an employer confirming income
- Proof of employment or study, if applicable
- Schengen Visa fee payment receipt
Also, see: Finland Visa Guide 2023
Also, see: Cyprus Visa Guide 2023
How to apply for a Greece Visa?
Here are the general steps to apply for a Greece Visa:
- Determine which Greek embassy or consulate you need to apply to base on your country of residence.
- Download and fill out the Greece Visa application form.
- Collect all the required documents, such as a valid passport, travel itinerary, travel medical insurance, and proof of financial means.
- Schedule an appointment at the Greek embassy or consulate to submit your visa application and provide your biometric data (fingerprints and a photograph).
- Attend the appointment and submit your visa application and documents.
- Pay the visa application fee. The fee can vary depending on the embassy or consulate, and the type of visa you are applying for.
- Wait for your visa application to be processed. The processing time can vary depending on the embassy or consulate and can take several weeks or even months in some cases.
- Collect your passport and visa if the application is approved. If the application is denied, you will receive a written explanation for the reason for the denial.
To get further details, visit the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Greece.
Where to apply for Greece Visa?
You can apply for a Greece Visa at the Greek embassy or consulate in your country of residence. If there is no Greek embassy or consulate in your country, you may be able to apply at a visa application center that is authorized to handle visa applications on behalf of the Greek embassy or consulate.
To find the nearest Greek embassy or consulate or visa application center, you can visit the website of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the website of the Greek embassy or consulate in your country. On the website, you will be able to find the contact details and address of the embassy or consulate, as well as information on how to book an appointment and the required documents for the visa application.
Validity and Extension of Greece Visa
The validity of a Greece Visa is determined by the length of the stay in the Schengen Area. A Greece Schengen Visa allows travelers to stay in Greece and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The visa is valid for a specific period of time, usually indicated on the visa sticker affixed to the passport.
If the traveler needs to enter the Schengen Area multiple times during the visa validity period, they should ensure that their visa has multiple entries. A single-entry visa only allows one entry into the Schengen Area, while a multiple-entry visa allows for multiple entries within the visa validity period.
Greece Visa Costs
The cost of a Greece Visa can vary depending on the embassy or consulate where the visa application is submitted, as well as the type of visa and the purpose of the visit. The visa fee is non-refundable, even if the visa application is denied.
As of March 2023, the visa fees for a Greece Schengen Visa are:
- Adults (above 12 years old): 80 euros
- Children (6-12 years old): 40 euros
- Children (below 6 years old): Free
Fun facts about Greece
Here are some fun facts about Greece:
- Greece is known as the “cradle of Western civilization” because of its influential role in shaping Western culture and philosophy.
- Greece is the birthplace of democracy, with the world’s first democratic constitution being created in Athens in 508 BC.
- The Greek language is one of the oldest in the world, with a history spanning over 3,000 years.
- Greece is home to some of the most beautiful islands in the world, with over 6,000 islands and islets, although only 227 are inhabited.
- The Olympic Games, which originated in ancient Greece, were revived in Athens in 1896 and have been held every four years since then.
- Greece has a rich mythology, with gods and goddesses like Zeus, Athena, and Apollo being major figures in Greek culture and religion.
- Greece is famous for its delicious cuisine, including dishes like moussaka, souvlaki, and tzatziki.
- The Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, is one of the most famous landmarks in Greece and attracts millions of visitors every year.
- Greece has over 300 days of sunshine a year, making it a popular destination for beachgoers and sunseekers.
- Greek hospitality, or “philoxenia,” is a fundamental part of Greek culture, with guests being treated like family and offered food, drink, and warm hospitality.
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