Entry requirements for Greece and for Santorini Greece
To travel to Greece, non-EU/EEA citizens (including citizens of Nigeria, Nepal, Zimbabwe and Jamaica) must obtain a visa. Below is a summary of the requirements based on the nationality:
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Category
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Details
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Applicable to
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Visa-Exempt
for Short Stays (90 days)
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No visa
required for up to 90 days within a 180-day period for tourism, family
visits, or business. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the
stay.
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EU/EEA
citizens, USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea,
Israel, UAE, and most South American countries.
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Schengen Visa
Holders
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Holders of
valid Schengen visas can enter Greece without applying for a separate visa.
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Non-EU
citizens holding a valid Schengen visa.
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Short-Stay
Schengen Visa Required (Type C)
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Required for
tourism, business, or family visits for up to 90 days. Applicants must
provide: completed visa form, valid passport, travel insurance, financial proof,
accommodation details, flight bookings, and visa fee payment.
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Citizens of
China, India, Russia, Philippines, Vietnam, Ghana, Nigeria, Pakistan,
Morocco, and many other non-EU countries.
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Long-Stay Visa
(Type D)
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Required for
stays exceeding 90 days (e.g., work, study, family reunification). Additional
documents like work contracts or university acceptance letters may be needed.
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Non-EU/EEA
citizens who plan to stay longer than 90 days for work, study, or family purposes.
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Check whether you need a visa to Greece and Santorini Greece for entry here.
Read more about essential information for travellers in Greece: entry rules, car rental and medical insurance.
The Greek island of Crete is one of the most beautiful places in the world and offers many amazing places to visit. To discover more about this beatiful place, follow the link.
Do nigerians, nepalese, zimbabweans, jamaicans need a visa to Greece?
If you are planning a trip to Greece and you are a citizen of Nigeria, Nepal, Zimbabwe, Jamaica, and other countries, you need to apply for a visa to Greece in advance. View the full list of countries that must obtain a Schengen visa type C before traveling to Greeece here.
Greece visa requirements
In the absence of a biometric passport or if you are a citizen of a country that does not have visa-free entry to Greece, you need a Schengen visa type C to enter and stay up to 90 days within 180 days, for example in the context of tourism, visiting friends, short-term study languages, etc.
To obtain a short-term Schengen visa, a visa application can be submitted no earlier than six months before the planned entry into the Schengen area.
How Much Does a Schengen Visa Cost?
• €90.00 – for adults
• €45.00 – for children between 6-12 years of age
• €35.00 – for nationals from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus
• €67.50 – for nationals from Cabo Verde
Schengen Visa is free for children younger than six years of age.
If the visa is for a single visit, the holder must apply for a new visa if he wishes to visit Greece again.
You can read more about the list of supporting documents for applying for a visa to Greece on the website:
https://www.mfa.gr
Steps to Obtaining a Schengen Visa type C to Greece:
To visit Greece as a tourist, business traveler, or for other short-term purposes, non-EU/EEA nationals from countries requiring visas must apply for a Schengen Visa. Here's a step-by-step guide:
1. Complete the Visa Application Form
– Download the Schengen Visa Application Form from the official Greek consulate or embassy website.
– Fill in all required details, ensuring the information matches your passport exactly.
2. Prepare Required Documents
– Valid Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended stay and issued within the last 10 years. It must also have at least two blank pages.
– Completed Application Form: Signed and dated.
– Passport-Sized Photos: Two recent photos (taken within the last six months), meeting Schengen visa photo requirements.
– Travel Insurance: Coverage of at least €30,000 for medical emergencies, accidents, and repatriation in all Schengen countries.
– Proof of Accommodation: Hotel reservations, an invitation from a host, or proof of other accommodation in Greece.
– Flight Itinerary: Round-trip or onward flight bookings.
– Proof of Financial Means: Bank statements or proof of income for the last 3 months, showing you can support yourself during your stay (around €50-100 per day).
3. Schedule an Appointment at the Consulate or Visa Center
– Book an appointment at the Greek Embassy or Consulate or a visa application center (e.g., VFS Global) in your country. You must appear in person to submit your application and biometrics (fingerprints and photo).
4. Pay the Visa Fee
– The Schengen visa fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6-12. Children under 6 and certain other categories may be exempt from the fee.
5. Attend the Visa Interview
– During your appointment, submit your application, provide biometric data, and attend a short interview. The consular officer may ask questions about your trip, such as the purpose of your visit, planned itinerary, and financial support.
6. Wait for Visa Processing
– The processing time typically takes 15 calendar days but can take longer during peak seasons or if additional documents are required. You can track your visa application status online using a tracking number.
7. Collect Your Visa
Once your visa is approved, collect your passport with the visa stamp from the embassy/consulate or the visa application center. In some cases, the passport can be sent by mail if requested.
What additional documents are required for entry Greece and Santorini Greece?
• Proof of travel arrangements: flight/roundtrip booking or other proof of the intended transport and the full itinerary of your visit to Greece (if several Schengen States will be visited or if the trip covers several Schengen States and non-Schengen countries).
• Travel medical insurance for Greece – indicates that you are covered for emergency medical care and repatriation not only in Greece but also throughout the Schengen area (minimum cover of 30,000 euros).
• Proof of residence in Greece: Proof of booking, Letter of invitation from a friend or family member living in Greece. Lease agreement.
• Proof of financial support: To be eligible to travel to Greece, you need to have enough money to support yourself. The Greek authorities want you to have a minimum of 50 euros for each day you spend here. To prove that you meet this requirement, you must submit at least one reference: Bank statement for the last three months, Checks, Certificate of income.
• A document confirming ownership (cars, apartments, or another real estate).
• Registered proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation.
Travelers to Greece are not legally required to purchase travel insurance for their trip to Greece. Although this is not a mandatory condition for entry into Greece, it may be advisable for many tourists.
A travel insurance policy must meet the following requirements:
• minimum coverage of 30,000 euros
• valid in all countries of the Schengen Agreement
• cover expenses related to repatriation for medical reasons, urgent health problems, emergency hospitalization, or death.
A residence permit is required to stay in Greece for more than 90 days. A residence permit for financially independent persons is issued for two years, after which holders can renew it every three years. The length of stay in Greece is not limited, and holders of a residence permit can live there permanently or not visit the country at all. Access to the labor market is prohibited.
Where can I get a residence permit?
Residence permits are issued by the migration authorities of Greece.
If you are interested in Moving to Greece in 2024, you can find out more information about Moving to Greece in 2024, advantages and disadvantages of living in Greece for expats here.
Exit requirement for Greece
The exit requirements for Greece generally include the following:
1. Valid Passport or Travel Document
- Your passport or travel document must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your departure date from Greece, especially for non-EU/EEA travelers.
- EU/EEA citizens only need a valid national ID card to exit Greece.
2. Valid Visa or Residence Permit (if applicable)
- If you entered Greece with a Schengen visa, make sure your visa is still valid or that you haven’t overstayed the 90-day limit within the Schengen Area.
- If you have a long-stay visa or residence permit, ensure it’s still valid.
3. Proof of Departure (Return or Onward Ticket)
- For travelers on short-term visas, you may need to show proof of your departure from Greece, such as a return or onward flight ticket.
4. Customs and Declarations
- Ensure you comply with customs regulations regarding goods, currency, and other items you may be carrying out of Greece (e.g., limits on the amount of cash you can take out, controlled goods, etc.).
- If you're traveling with over €10,000 in cash (or equivalent in other currencies), it must be declared.
5. No Overstay
- Ensure you have not overstayed your visa or the 90-day limit if you are traveling visa-free. Overstaying can lead to fines or future travel restrictions.
These requirements are fairly standard and may vary slightly based on your nationality or personal travel circumstances.
1. Adapt to the Greek time
Greeks tend to hold a healthy Mediterranean belief that most things can be put off until tomorrow and nothing needs to be done in a hurry - the Spanish "mañana" is equal to the Greek "avrio". So don't expect fast service in restaurants or smooth transportation.
2. Entrance fees
All major ancient monuments, as well as most museums, charge an entrance fee ranging from €2 to €12, with an average cost of about €3. Entrance to all public monuments and museums is free on Sundays and holidays from November to March.
3. Outside of Athens, Greece is not very adapted for people with disabilities
Access for travelers with disabilities has improved somewhat in recent years, but most accessible attractions, hotels and restaurants tend to be located in Athens. While access to beaches has improved, much of the rest of Greece remains inaccessible to wheelchair users, and the abundance of stones, marble, slippery cobblestones and stepped alleys create unpleasant obstacles. People with visual and hearing impairments also rarely receive adequate services.
4. Carry cash and do not rely on cards or ATMs
As part of the EU, Greece uses the euro. In restaurants, service charges are usually included in the bill, and although tipping is not expected, it is always appreciated and a few coins can be left if the service was good. Taxi drivers usually expect you to round up the fare.
Keep in mind that ATMs on the islands can lose connection for a day or two, making it impossible for anyone (including locals) to withdraw money. It's a good idea to have some extra cash with you in case this happens during your visit.
5. Drink plenty of water and remember how dangerous the sun can be
On many islands in Greece, tap water is still safe to drink, but not recommended - ask if you are in doubt. Keep a supply of bottled water on hand for hydration as well as safety; many tourists underestimate how hot it can be in Greece, and heat strokes and serious sunburns are common on beaches with little shade.
6. Pickpocketing and other petty crimes are common in public places
The main risks of theft in Greece are pickpockets in major cities and theft of belongings while vacationing on busy, popular beaches (leave your passports in hotel safes). Never leave your belongings unattended and do not leave bags hanging from the back of the seat where you cannot keep an eye on them.
The Tourist Police work in cooperation with the regular Greek police. Each Tourist Police office has at least one English-speaking officer. If you need to report your passport stolen or lost, contact the Tourist Police first and they will be the translators between you and the regular police.
7. Emergency number for tourists
Of course, when you go on vacation abroad, you don't want to think that something will go wrong. And emergency numbers are something we don't usually use. As a foreigner traveling to Greece, it doesn't make sense to write down all the emergency numbers you might need. Therefore, keep a single number: 171 (the number of the local tourist police).
This is a special police unit trained to deal exclusively with helping tourists who encounter problems in Greece. They can help you with any problem: from finding a doctor to resolving disputes. And, of course, they can help you with anything related to local legislation. They are available 24/7 and although they mainly deal with Athens issues, you can call them from anywhere in the world.
And the most important thing is that they all speak English, but there is a high probability that they speak other languages as well. So save this number before you travel to Greece: 171.
Sources:
https://letterstobarbara.com
https://www.roughguides.com
Greece