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Greece visas

Greece tourist visa

Visit Greece without a visa if you qualify, or apply for a short-stay Schengen visa.

Ways to get a Greece tourist visa

  1. Visa-free short visit

    No visa needed

    Ordinary passport holders from the listed visa-waiver countries and territories qualify for short tourist visits. Kosovo is also included.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

  2. Short-stay Schengen visa

    Visa needed

    Travellers who need a visa for a short tourist visit can apply.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.
    Valid for
    Usually the planned trip for new applicants; up to five years for some visas.
    Entries
    One, two or multiple entries.
    Fee
    €90 standard; €45 for children aged 6–12; free for children under 6. An application centre may add up to €120.
    Processing
    15 calendar days for an admissible application with no issues; appointment delays can occur.
    1. Choose the embassy or consulate of your main destination. Use Greece's if Greece is your main destination.
    2. Submit your application no more than six months before your planned entry.
    3. Attend in person for your first application and an interview.
    4. Provide supporting documents and any required fingerprints and digital photograph.

  3. Travel with an existing visa or residence permit

    No visa needed

    Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit from another Schengen country, Gibraltar or Monaco can visit Greece without an additional visa. A short-stay Schengen visa also covers Greece unless marked otherwise.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period for visits using a long-stay visa or residence permit issued elsewhere.

  4. Freedom of movement

    No visa needed

    Citizens of European Union countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland can enter, live and work in Greece without a visa.

    Stay
    Entry, residence and work are covered by freedom of movement.

  5. New Zealand bilateral visa waiver

    No visa needed

    New Zealand citizens have a separate visa-waiver arrangement covering Greece.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in Greece without counting time spent in other Schengen countries under this arrangement.

    Passports that qualify (1)

Who needs it

Travellers who are not covered by visa-free entry, freedom of movement or another exemption need a visa.

Who doesn't

Citizens of the listed visa-waiver countries and territories can visit for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Other exemptions cover EU single market citizens and certain visa or residence permit holders.

How to apply

  1. Apply to a Greek embassy or consulate if Greece is your only or main destination.
  2. If no main destination can be identified, apply to the Schengen country you will enter first.
  3. Submit your application no more than six months before your planned entry. Some missions use an external application centre.
  4. Attend in person for your first application and a consular interview. Provide fingerprints and a digital photograph if required.

What to bring

  • A recognised travel document.
  • Supporting documents for your application.
  • Fingerprints and a digital photograph, if required.

Good to know

  • Count short stays across the whole Schengen Area, rather than separately for Greece.
  • Greece's funds requirement is €50 per day, with a minimum of €300 for a stay of up to five days. These amounts are reduced by 50% for minors.
  • A Schengen visa is valid across the area unless it says otherwise.
  • Children under 12 do not give fingerprints. Fingerprints provided within the past 59 months may not need to be taken again.
  • In certain cases, the visa fee can rise to €180 for applicants aged 12 or over because of their country's cooperation on returning irregular migrants.
  • A visa valid for several years does not allow you to stay for several years.

Questions

Do I need a tourist visa for Greece?

Travellers who are not covered by visa-free entry, freedom of movement or another exemption need a visa. Citizens of the listed visa-waiver countries and territories can visit for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Other exemptions cover EU single market citizens and certain visa or residence permit holders.

What are the ways to get a tourist visa for Greece?

There are 5 options: Visa-free short visit (no visa at all); Short-stay Schengen visa (a visa from an embassy); Travel with an existing visa or residence permit (no visa at all); Freedom of movement (no visa at all); New Zealand bilateral visa waiver (no visa at all).

Who can go to Greece without a tourist visa?

Ordinary passport holders from the listed visa-waiver countries and territories qualify for short tourist visits. Kosovo is also included. Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit from another Schengen country, Gibraltar or Monaco can visit Greece without an additional visa. A short-stay Schengen visa also covers Greece unless marked otherwise. Citizens of European Union countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland can enter, live and work in Greece without a visa. New Zealand citizens have a separate visa-waiver arrangement covering Greece.

How long can I stay on a Greece tourist visa?

Usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

How much does a Greece tourist visa cost?

Standard fee: €90. Children aged 6–12: €45. Children under 6: free. An application centre may charge an extra service fee of up to €120.

How long does a Greece tourist visa take?

15 calendar days after an admissible application is lodged, if there are no issues. Appointment delays can occur.

How long is a Greece tourist visa valid?

New applicants usually receive a visa covering their planned trip. Visas can be valid for up to five years. Entries: One, two or multiple entries..

What documents do I need for a Greece tourist visa?

A recognised travel document.; Supporting documents for your application.; Fingerprints and a digital photograph, if required..

How do I apply for a Greece tourist visa?

1. 1. Apply to a Greek embassy or consulate if Greece is your only or main destination. 2. 2. If no main destination can be identified, apply to the Schengen country you will enter first. 3. 3. Submit your application no more than six months before your planned entry. Some missions use an external application centre. 4. 4. Attend in person for your first application and a consular interview. Provide fingerprints and a digital photograph if required.

What rules do I have to follow on a Greece tourist visa?

Count short stays across the whole Schengen Area, rather than separately for Greece. Greece's funds requirement is €50 per day, with a minimum of €300 for a stay of up to five days. These amounts are reduced by 50% for minors. A Schengen visa is valid across the area unless it says otherwise.

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