The Essential Guide for Greece Visas

Planning a trip to Greece, whether to the bustling city of Athens or a small island in the Mediterranean, is a dream for many travelers.

Whether you’re looking to explore ancient ruins, relax on the idyllic beaches, or have business to attend to, understanding the Greece visa process is essential to make your travel hassle-free.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Greece visa application process, tailored to help you every step of the way.

Do I need a visa to go to Greece?

It depends. Depending on your nationality and the purpose (as well as length) of your visit, you might need a visa to enter Greece. For stays under 90 days in length that are predominantly for leisure, travelers from countries with visa-waiver agreements do not need a visa to enter Greece (US, UK, Australia, Canada, Japan, and more).

However, if you’re planning to work, study, and/or stay in Greece for longer than 90 days, you will likely need a visa.

Many countries do not have visa waiver agreements with Greece, which means citizens of these countries (such as India or China) need visas to visit Greece.

Do US citizens need a visa for Greece

If you’re a U.S. citizen traveling to Greece for tourism or business for less than 90 days, you don’t need a Greece visa. However, starting in 2025, U.S. citizens will be required to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) before visiting Greece. We’ll talk more about this later in the article.

How do I apply for a Greece visa?

If you need a visa to visit Greece, the application process is relatively straightforward. However, it does require preparation, so applying early is highly recommended. There are a few steps involved:

• Figure out which visa you need, depending on your intent and length of stay.
• Prepare all of the required documents for the specific visa you’re applying for.
• Schedule an appointment at a Greek consulate or visa center in your country of nationality.
• Attend the appointment and submit your application for processing!

Can I apply for a Greece visa online?

No. The Greece visa cannot be fully applied for online. While you can fill out the application form online, you’ll need to book an appointment for a Greece visa at your nearest Greek consulate or visa application center (in your country of residence).

Afterward, you must attend the appointment in person to submit your documents and biometric data, as well as meet with a visa officer to review your file.

With that being said, the Schengen process is currently being digitized. Expected to be fully operational in 2030, EU VAP will facilitate Greece visa applications online. Even still, there will be an in-person requirement. Biometrics (fingerprints) will need to be taken in person at a consulate or visa center.

Is a Greek visa difficult to get?

The application process is relatively straightforward.

What is the rejection rate for Greece visas?

In 2023, the global rejection rate for Greek visas was 14.57%. Most rejections are due to incomplete documentation or not meeting the financial criteria, so double-check your paperwork before submitting your application.

It’s important to note that rejection rates can change at any time, and they also depend on a variety of factors, such as seasonality.

What is the processing time for a Greece visa?

The processing time for a Greece visa usually takes about 15 calendar days from the time you submit your application. However, processing time can take longer. This is why it’s always important to start your visa application process early to make sure you aren’t in a time crunch at the end.

Greece visa application requirements

Understanding the requirements is key to ensuring a smooth application process. Whether you’re visiting for tourism, work, or study, each visa type has specific document requirements.

Which documents are required when applying for a Greece visa?

Regardless of which type of Greek visa you apply for, there are a few essential documents that will likely be required for your application. Then, each visa type will have additional documentation required on top of that.

When applying for a Greece visa, essential documents typically include:

• A valid passport (with at least 3 months of validity beyond your stay)
• A completed visa application form
• Two recent passport-size photos
• Proof of Schengen compliant travel insurance (with coverage of at least €30,000)
• Proof of accommodation in Greece (hotel bookings or proof of hosting)
• Financial statements proving you can support yourself during your stay
• A flight itinerary

What are the specific Greece visa requirements?

There are two types of visas: Type C (short-stay) and Type D (long-stay). From there, you have even more specific visas that fall into each category. Here are some of the most common visas.

Greece visitor visa requirements (Type C, short-stay)

For tourists, the Greece visitor visa requires the essential documents listed above, like proof of travel insurance, hotel bookings, and financial stability during your stay.

Type D (long-stay) Greece visa requirements

For stays longer than 90 days, you’ll need a long-stay (Type D) visa, which covers study, employment, and family reunification. The required documents include the essentials (listed above), as well as specific documentation on your reason for visiting Greece.

Greece study visa requirements

Students usually need to provide an acceptance letter from a Greek educational institution or proof of enrollment They’ll also need to provide the documents listed above.

Greece digital nomad visa requirements

You may be happy to learn that Greece welcomes remote workers with a Greece Digital Nomad Visa. There are a few qualifications to keep in mind. Those applying for a digital nomad visa can be remote workers, freelancers, or entrepreneurs. The work that you do must not be for a Greek business or on the Greek market.

Is there an interview when applying for a Greek visa?

Yes, for most Greece visa applications, you will need to attend an in-person interview (or, appointment). This interview is scheduled online and must take place at a Greek consulate or visa center in your country of your residency.

Do I need to apply for ETIAS if I have a Greek visa

If you hold a valid Greece visa, you do not need to apply for ETIAS. However, if you’re from a visa-exempt country like the US or UK, you will need ETIAS approval starting in 2025 for short stays.

Who needs ETIAS to visit Greece?

Citizens from over 60 visa-exempt countries (like the US, UK, Australia, and Canada) will need to apply for ETIAS before traveling to Greece from 2025 onwards. This application process is entirely online.

Is Greece part of the Schengen zone?

Yes, Greece is part of the Schengen Zone, which means that once you have a Greece visa (Schengen), typically you can travel to other Schengen countries without needing separate visas.

Does my Greece visa allow me to travel through the Schengen zone?

Yes! A Greece Schengen visa generally allows you to travel freely through all 29 Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Can I go anywhere in Europe with a Greek visa?

While a Greece visa typically allows travel through the Schengen area, it does not grant access to non-Schengen countries, such as Ireland or the UK.

Key Takeaways for Greek Visas

• There are a variety of types of visas for Greece.
• Each Greek visa type has specific document requirements.
• Greece is part of the Schengen zone.
• To apply, you must have Schengen-compliant travel insurance, and proof of it at the time of your appointment.
• Some Greek visas allow you to work on Greek soil, others do not.
• Greece does offer a digital nomad visa.
• Processing times vary from 15 days to 60 days or more.
• To apply, you must have proof of sufficient funds, flight itinerary, and proof of accommodation.
• You must apply for a Greece visa in-person at a Greek consulate or visa center in your country of residence.
• In the coming years, you will be able to apply for a Greek visa online with EU VAP.
• From 2025 onward, US citizens will need to apply for ETIAS before traveling to Greece, if they do not hold a valid Greek/Schengen visa.