Skip to content
2 ways to enter

Greece visas

Greece transit visa

Many travellers can change flights in Greece without a visa if they stay in the airport's international transit area for less than one day. Some nationalities need an airport transit visa even when staying in that area.

Ways to get a Greece transit visa

  1. Airport transfer without a visa

    Transit without a visa

    Travellers who are not subject to an airport transit visa requirement, or who have a qualifying exemption, can use the airport transfer rule.

    Stay
    Less than 24 hours.

  2. Airport transit visa

    Visa needed

    Citizens of the listed countries need this visa for an airport transfer in Greece unless an exemption applies.

    Fee
    General Schengen visa fee: €90, with applicable reductions and exemptions.
    Processing
    General decision period: 15 calendar days for an admissible application with no issues.
    1. Submit your application through the Greek embassy or consulate, or its contracted application centre.
    2. Attend in person for your first application and provide any required fingerprints and digital photograph.

Who needs it

Unless exempt, citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka need an airport transit visa. Greece also requires one from citizens of Cameroon, Congo, Sudan and Syria.

Who doesn't

Exemptions cover qualifying visa or residence permit holders, diplomatic passport holders, family members of EU single market citizens and flight crew.

Changing planes

Can you stay airside?
Yes, without a visa if you stay in the transit area
Leaving the airport
The visa-free airport transfer rule only covers the international transit area. If your transfer requires entering Greece, you must meet the usual entry rules.
Longest transit
24 hours
Transit without a visa
Use one airport, remain in its international transit area and transfer in less than 24 hours. The airport layout and your connecting flight must allow this. Travellers subject to an airport transit visa requirement need a qualifying exemption.

How to apply

  1. Apply through the relevant Greek embassy or consulate, or its contracted application centre.
  2. Submit your application no more than six months before entry.
  3. Attend in person for a first application and provide any required fingerprints and digital photograph.

What to bring

  • A recognised travel document.
  • Supporting application documents.
  • Evidence of any visa or residence permit used to claim an exemption.

Good to know

  • Your connecting flight and the airport layout must allow a transfer within the international transit area.
  • The visa-free transfer rule requires a stay of less than 24 hours, not a full 24 hours.
  • The international transit area is the part of the airport before you pass through border control to enter Greece.
  • An airport transit visa covers an airport transfer; entering Greece requires the usual entry permission.

Questions

Do I need a transit visa for Greece?

Unless exempt, citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka need an airport transit visa. Greece also requires one from citizens of Cameroon, Congo, Sudan and Syria. Exemptions cover qualifying visa or residence permit holders, diplomatic passport holders, family members of EU single market citizens and flight crew.

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

There are 2 options: Airport transfer without a visa (transit without a visa); Airport transit visa (a visa from an embassy).

How long can I stay on a Greece transit visa?

Visa-free airport transfers must last less than one day. The airport transit visa's permitted duration is not stated.

How much does a Greece transit visa cost?

The general Schengen visa fee is €90, with reductions and exemptions for qualifying applicants.

How long does a Greece transit visa take?

The general decision period is 15 calendar days for an admissible application with no issues.

What documents do I need for a Greece transit visa?

A recognised travel document.; Supporting application documents.; Evidence of any visa or residence permit used to claim an exemption..

How do I apply for a Greece transit visa?

1. 1. Apply through the relevant Greek embassy or consulate, or its contracted application centre. 2. 2. Submit your application no more than six months before entry. 3. 3. Attend in person for a first application and provide any required fingerprints and digital photograph.

How long can I stay in transit in Greece?

Up to 24 hours, if you meet the conditions. Use one airport, remain in its international transit area and transfer in less than 24 hours. The airport layout and your connecting flight must allow this. Travellers subject to an airport transit visa requirement need a qualifying exemption.

Can I stay inside the airport in Greece without a visa?

Yes, staying in the international transit area is allowed for most travellers. To leave the airport: The visa-free airport transfer rule only covers the international transit area. If your transfer requires entering Greece, you must meet the usual entry rules.

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

Your connecting flight and the airport layout must allow a transfer within the international transit area. The visa-free transfer rule requires a stay of less than 24 hours, not a full 24 hours.

Reviewed by