Embassy
Embassy of the United States, Athens
Athens
Greece visa requirements for American citizens
American citizens do not need a visa for Greece. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
Passport
USA
United States
Going to
GRC
Greece
No visa needed
People with listed passports can visit without a visa if their passport meets requirements.
- Visa
- Not required
- Max stay
- 90 days (3 months)
- Fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it.
Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
Note the maximum stay and count your days in Greece.
Ways into Greece
Your passport and travel documents decide whether you need a visa.
Visa not required For your passportVisa-free short visitPeople with listed passports can visit without a visa if their passport meets requirements.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check whether your passport allows visa-free travel.
- Check any extra rules for your passport.
- Carry your passport and proof of your visit.
Documents required
- Valid passport
- Proof of visit
- Proof of enough money
- The 90 days count across Schengen within any 180 days.
- Border staff may ask for proof of your visit and money.
Visa not requiredVisit with Schengen documentsPeople with another Schengen country's residence permit or long-stay visa can make short visits.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check that your document comes from a Schengen country.
- Bring your passport and valid visa or residence permit.
Documents required
- Passport
- Valid Schengen residence permit
- Or valid Schengen long-stay visa
- Visits to other Schengen countries count towards 90 days within any 180 days.
- A UK residence permit alone does not allow this visa-free visit.
Sources (26)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Hellenic Police
- National Coordination Center for Border Control, Immigration and Asylum
- Ministry of Migration and Asylum: residence categories and documents
- Greek foreign ministry: visas for foreign visitors
- Greek nationality and passport visa requirements
- Greek foreign ministry: Schengen visas
- Greek foreign ministry: national visas
- Greek foreign ministry: digital nomad visa
- Greek embassy in the United States: visas
- Greek embassy in the United Kingdom: visas
- Greek embassy in India: visas and application channels
- Greek foreign ministry: supporting documents by travel purpose
- Greek foreign ministry: island tourist visa scheme renewal
- European Commission: applying for a Schengen visa
- European Commission: Schengen visa questions
- European Commission: common airport transit nationality list
- European Commission: additional airport transit requirements
- European Commission: funds required at external borders, Greek section
- European Commission: student in Greece
- European Commission: employed worker in Greece
- European Commission: family member in Greece
- European Union Visa Code
- Regulation (EU) 2024/2495: Serbian biometric passport exemption
- Your Europe: travel documents for European Union citizens
- Official ETIAS portal: operational status and questions
- European Commission: Entry/Exit System and ETIAS
Embassies for this trip
For lost passports and emergencies.
Consulate general
Consulate General of the United States, Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki Municipality
Τσιμισκή 43, 7ος Όροφος, 546 23, Θεσσαλονίκη
Trips to Greece
Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.
Coming from United States
- Plugs C FAdapter needed
- MoneyEUR €
- Time+14h
- DrivingOn the rightSame as home
- LanguageGreek
- Emergency100 or 112 police166 or 112 ambulance
Planning your Greece trip
Best time to go: May–June and September–October have the most pleasant weather. Mid-July to mid-August is the hottest period, while November–February brings fewer tourists and lower prices but is not beach weather.
- Ancient ruins, churches and castlesGreece has classical temples and ruins alongside many medieval churches and castles.
- Cyclades IslandsThis island group is known for whitewashed homes and blue-domed churches.
- Ermoupolis and NafplionThese cities have Neoclassical buildings.
- CorfuSee pastel-coloured baroque homes and churches.
Scams to watch for in Greece
- Friendly stranger bar scamA friendly stranger approaches a traveller, usually a man alone at night, and suggests a bar. At the bar, women join them and order expensive drinks, often champagne. The traveller receives a huge bill. Men then appear to pressure or threaten him into paying. This is the most commonly reported major scam against travellers.
- Pickpocketing and theft in crowdsThieves take money or belongings from exposed pockets and bags in crowds. Metro doors are a particular concern, especially when a door seems broken or jammed and people bunch together. Theft is also reported in Faliraki, Kavos, Malia and Ios, though no specific method is described there.
- Counterfeit souvenirs and branded goodsVendors sell fake branded items and imitation goods. In Athens, pavement sellers also offer coins that may look antique but are likely reproductions. In Chersonissos, fake watches and other branded items sell for much less than genuine versions.
About Greece
Greece is a republic at the southern end of the Balkans, with a mainland and many islands.
- Capital
- Athens
- Money
- Euro (€)
- Languages
- Greek
- Time zone
- UTC+02:00
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +30
Other Americas passports
Going to Greece
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Greece with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do american citizens need a visa for Greece?
American citizens do not need a visa for Greece. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
How long can american citizens stay in Greece?
Up to 90 days each visit with the no visa needed rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.
Do greek citizens need a visa for the United States?
Greek citizens need an eTA, a short online form, before flying to the United States.
Do other Americas passports get easier entry to Greece?
Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados Brazil, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Greece are easier for american citizens?
Andorra, Cyprus, Italy, Malta Portugal, and 3 more let american citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Greece?
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it. Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
What money is used in Greece?
Euro (€). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Greece?
Greek.
How strong is the United States passport?
It ranks #12 and reaches 150 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck