Traveling to Greece from the USA: What to Know

It's finally happening: a trip to Greece.

Apart from what to pack, where to stay, and all of the things you want to see and do, there are some other things you need to think about before you travel overseas.

It's a big trip traveling to Greece from the USA, and it's important that you know what kind of requirements you need to meet so your trip can go off without a hitch.

We're going to take a look at:

• Visa and other entry requirements for Greece.
• Insurance requirements.
• Travel recommendations from the US government.
• Flights.

Greece's entry requirements

Different travelers have different entry requirements when heading to Greece.

In the States, there are a couple of scenarios.

One, you are a US citizen who wants to travel to Greece.

Second, you live in the US as a resident, but you are not a US citizen.

We're going to take a look at both scenarios.

US citizens do not need a visa to travel to Greece

If you are a US citizen, you do not need a visa if you're heading to Greece, as long as you don't stay longer than 90 days are aren't planning on working while you're there. (If you want to stay longer than 90 days and/or work, you will need a visa.)

US citizens need ETIAS to travel to Greece.

It hasn't launched yet (it's expected to start at the end of 2026), but soon, US citizens will need to get ETIAS approval before they travel to Greece. While that may sound intimidating, don't worry. It's a simple online process that only takes a few minutes, and most people are approved in just a couple of minutes.

You can learn more about ETIAS for Greece here.

Non-US citizens may need a visa to travel to Greece

If you're not a US citizen, but live in the US, you may still need a visa to travel to Greece. Whether or not you need a visa isn't dependent on where you live. It depends on your nationality (where you are a legal citizen).

If you're a citizen of Mexico, Canada, Australia, the UK, and several other countries, you do not need a visa for short trips to Greece (under 90 days).

If you're a citizen of India, China, or anywhere on the African continent, you will need a visa to travel to Greece. Many other countries have visa requirements too.

You can learn more about Greek visas here.

Non-US citizens may need ETIAS to travel to Greece

Similar to a visa, whether or not you need to apply for ETIAS before traveling to Greece depends on your nationality (not your residence).

There's actually a very simple way to know whether or not you need ETIAS for Greece.

If you are traveling to Greece with a visa, you do not need a visa.

If you are not traveling to Greece with a visa, you need ETIAS.

Now, there may be some exemptions or situations where this isn't the case, but for the "average traveler", this is what you can expect.

Your passport must have 3+ months of validity left

Greece has a passport requirement. In order to enter the country of Greece, your passport needs to remain valid for at least 3 months after your stay.

The US government recommends that you have 6 months of remaining validity, just in case.

For some, travel insurance is mandatory

Greece has a travel insurance requirement for some visitors.

While not all travelers are required to take out a travel insurance policy before heading to Greece, the US government recommends that all travelers to Greece get one before traveling there.

Why? Medical evacuation may be required in emergency scenarios, and it can be both difficult to procure and extremely expensive.

If you need a visa to go to Greece, travel insurance is mandatory

As far as who it's required for, travel insurance is mandatory for those who need a visa to travel to Greece.

If you need to apply for a visa for your trip to Greece, travel insurance is required. The travel insurance policy has to have specific coverage:

• It must cover you for €30,000 in emergency expenses (minimum).
• It must cover you in Greece and all Schengen member countries (Greece is part of the Schengen area).
• Your policy must include repatriation, emergency hospitalization, and medical evacuation.
• Your policy must be valid for the entire length of your stay/visa.

Note: For some types of long stay visas (usually for immigration purposes), it may not be required.

Official advice of the US government

The US government has several recommendations and warnings for travelers heading to Greece from the USA.

Have proof of sufficient funds and a departure ticket

The US government warns that travelers may be asked to show that they have sufficient funds to support themselves during their trip to Greece, and that they may be asked to show it at the border when entering the country. Credit cards, according to the US government, will usually suffice.

Border police may also ask to see what's called an "onward ticket", this is your return ticket home (or your ticket to wherever you're going next).

You must abide by local laws

When entering Greece, make sure you abide by the local laws. Pay special attention to local laws around recreational laws. For example, Marijuana is illegal in Greece, and having it on your person can subject you to severe penalties. Mace and pepper spray canisters are also illegal.

Make sure you do your research on what you can bring into Greece and what you cannot. Just because something is legal in the States, doesn't mean it is in Greece.

Medicare is not accepted overseas

Make sure that you hold health insurance that covers you while in Greece, or travel insurance, depending on your needs.

Medicare does not cover you in Greece, so it's best to make sure you have a plan before you leave.

Be up to date on routine vaccinations

The US government advises that all travelers to Greece be up to date on routine vaccinations, which include Chickenpox, DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis), Flu, MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Polio, and Shingles. They also recommend that your Covid-19 vaccination should be up to date too.

While not routine, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccinations are recommended for travelers going to Greece.

Some travelers should consider getting a Rabies vaccination. Dogs infected with rabies are common in Greece. If your plans put you in close contact with animals and/or you're going to be in an area where medical services are few and far between, the US government recommends talking to your doctors about a pre-exposure rabies vaccine.

An international driver's permit is required in order to drive with a US license in Greece

If you plan on renting a car and driving in Greece, if you have a US driver's license, you must also get an international driver's permit.

It's a long flight

Greece has international airports, and there are options for non-stop flights depending on where you're traveling from stateside.

Traveling to Greece from the US is a long journey. Direct flights are 9 to 11 hours long. Most travelers will have a layover somewhere, either in the US or another country.

With a layover, travel time could be 14+ hours long. If you're traveling from the West Coast, expect an even longer trip.

All of that said, it's well worth it once you're exploring one of the most beautiful places in the world.