Tourist Visa in Greece: A Simple Guide
Ah, Greece—the land of epic myths, feta cheese, and islands that look like they’ve been lifted straight from Instagram. Greece is your tourist destination now? Don’t Worry! We’ve got you covered!
But before you hop on a plane to chase the sunset in Santorini, there’s a slightly less romantic yet crucial hurdle: the tourist visa. Stick around as we unravel the Gordian Knot of Greek tourist visas.
Let’s dive in!
What Is A Tourist Visa To Greece?
A tourist visa to Greece is a type of short–term visa that allows the holder to travel to Greece for tourism purposes such as sightseeing, visiting family, attending cultural events, or engaging in recreational activities.
Who Needs A Greece Tourist Visa?
Citizens of some countries require a Greek visa to enter Greece. The European Union has a waiver program for citizens of certain countries which allow them to enter Greece or other countries and stay up–to 90 days.
Citizens of the UK, US, Canada and Australia among others are typically eligible for the visa waiver program. However, citizens of some countries need to obtain a visa to enter Greece regardless of the duration of their stay.
It is recommended to check in with your Greek embassy or consulate for most up–to date information concerning the visa.
What Are The Requirements For A Greece Tourist Visa?
The requirements for getting a Greece tourist visa may differ based on your nationality and the embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
However, the following are the general requirements that you need to fulfill to get a Greece tourist visa:
Completed Visa Application Form
You need to submit a completed and signed Greece tourist visa application form.
Valid Passport
Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your departure date from Greece and should have at least two blank pages for stamps.
Passport-Size Photos
You need to provide two recent passport-sized photographs (photographs older than six months are not acceptable).
Travel Itinerary
You need to provide a confirmed round-trip flight ticket or itinerary that shows your entry and exit dates from Greece. (itinerary: schedule)
Hotel Reservation
You need to provide a confirmed hotel reservation or any other proof of accommodation during your stay in Greece.
Financial Means
You need to provide proof of sufficient funds to cover your expenses in Greece, such as bank statements showing sufficient funds, credit card statements, or a letter from your employer confirming your salary.
Travel Medical Insurance
You need to provide proof of travel medical insurance that has coverage for medical and repatriation costs of at least €30,000.
Additional Documents
Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to provide additional documents such as a letter of invitation from a sponsor or a business entity in Greece, a visa reference number, etc.
In any circumstances keep in check with your embassy or consulate as you may have to provide more additional documents. These are the general requirements, the requirement of additional documents depend upon the applicant’s circumstances.
How To Obtain A Greece Tourist Visa?
Here are some steps that will help you in obtaining your Greek visa:
Determine Whether r A Visa Is Required
You need to check if you need a visa to enter Greece by visiting the official website of the Greek embassy or consulate in your country.
Gather The Required Document
This includes a completed visa application form, a valid passport, proof of travel arrangements, proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay and any other supporting documents required by the Greek Embassy or Consulate in your country.
Schedule An Appointment
You need to schedule an appointment with the Greek embassy or consulate in your country to submit your visa application.
Submit Your Application
You need to submit your application at the Greek embassy or consulate on the scheduled date and time. Remember to bring all the required documents along with you.
Pay The Visa Fee
You need to pay the visa fee at the time of submitting the application. The fee may vary based on your nationality and the length of your stay.
Wait For Your Visa To Be Processed
After submitting your application, it will take approximately 15–20 working days to process your Greece tourist visa application.
Collect Your Visa
You need to collect your visa from the Greek Embassy or Consulate where you submitted your application. Make sure to collect your visa before your travel dates.
You must keep in mind that the visa application process and requirements may vary slightly based on the country you are applying from, so it’s recommended to keep in check with your nearest Greek embassy or consulate.
How Many Types Of Greece Tourist Visa Are There?
There is only one type of Greece tourist visa, which is a Schengen Tourist Visa. It allows you to visit Greece and other member countries of the Schengen Area for tourism purposes.
Schengen Tourist Visa
A Schengen tourist visa allows the holder to travel to all member countries of the Schengen Area including Greece.
The Schengen Area comprises 26 European countries that have abolished internal borders and allow free movement of the people of the region. If you are planning to travel to Greece you can apply for a Schengen visa.
The Schengen Tourist Visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. If you plan to visit Greece for longer than 90 days, you may need to apply for a different type of visa, such as a long–stay visa or a residence permit.
The Schengen Tourist Visa can be applied for at the Greek embassy or consulate in your home country or the country where you legally reside. You will need to provide the necessary documents and meet the eligibility requirements to obtain the visa.
Specific requirements for Greece:
- Proof of hotel reservations or other accommodation bookings in Greece
- Proof of financial means covering the entire stay in Greece
- Invitation if visiting family or friends in Greece
- A certificate of termination of work or study (if applicable)
- No-objection certificate from the employer (if applicable)
Once the application is processed and approved, you will be granted a Schengen Greece tourist visa which allows you to stay in Greece and other Schengen Area countries within the validity of the visa.
Where To Apply For a Greece Tourist Visa?
If you are a non–European citizen and need to obtain a Greece tourist visa, you should apply at the Greek embassy or consulate in your country of residence or nationality.
The visa application process typically involves filling out an online application, booking an appointment at the relevant embassy or consulate, and gathering the necessary documents.
Here are the general steps to follow when applying for a Greece tourist visa:
- Check the visa requirements and eligibility criteria on the Greek embassy or consulate. website.
- Complete the online visa application form and print it out.
- Gather the required documents, such as a valid passport, passport-size photo, travel itinerary, travel insurance, and any additional documents required by the embassy or consulate.
- Book an appointment with the embassy or consulate for visa application submission and attend the appointment.
- Pay the visa application fee.
- Wait for the visa processing time to be completed and for the embassy or consulate to make a decision on your visa application.
It is advisable to submit your visa application well in advance of your planned trip to Greece, as the processing time can take several weeks, especially during peak travel season.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Tourist Visa For Greece?
The Greece tourist visa processing time can vary depending on several factors, such as the volume of applications, the status of your visa application, and the embassy or consulate’s workload.
The processing time can take between 10 to 15 working days, although it may take more time in some cases.
It is recommended to apply at least four weeks prior to your intended travel date to avoid any problems with the processing time, especially during peak travel seasons.
However, you should also note that visa processing time may vary from one embassy or consulate to another. Therefore, it is important to check with your Greek embassy or consulate in your country or region for specific up-to-date information on visa processing times.
How Long Can I Stay In Greece With A Tourist Visa?
The duration of stay allowed on a Greece tourist visa depends on the visa type and the decision of the Greek embassy or consulate. A typical tourist visa allows a maximum stay of 90 days within a 180-day period.
However, it is important to note that the duration of stay granted by the embassy or consulate is at their discretion. It is also important to respect the duration of stay indicated on the visa, as overstaying can lead to legal consequences and even a ban on entering the Schengen area.
Can A Greece Tourist Visa Be Extended?
A Greece tourist visa may be extended in certain circumstances, but only in exceptional cases, such as force majeure or for humanitarian reasons.
If you wish to extend your stay in Greece, you must apply for an extension before your visa expires. You’ll need to visit the Hellenic Police Aliens Bureau in person and submit an application along with supporting documents:
- Flight bookings
- Financial evidence to prove your ability to support yourself
- In case of a medical emergency, a medical letter from a medical institution explaining why you cannot leave Greece.
It is important to note that an extension is not guaranteed, and overstaying the duration allowed on your visa can lead to legal consequences and even a ban on entering the Schengen area.
Therefore, it is always advisable to plan your trip carefully and apply for the appropriate visa to avoid complications and keep in touch with your embassy or consulate.
What Are Greece Tourist Visa Fees?
The Greece tourist visa fee may vary depending on various factors such as the nationality of the applicant, the type of visa applied for, and the duration of the stay. Below are the visa fees for some common visa types:
Short Stay Visa | €80 |
Long Stay Visa | €180 |
Multiple Entry Visa | €120 |
It is important to note that the visa fee is non–refundable, even if the visa application is rejected or withdrawn. Additionally, there may be additional fees for other services, such as courier fees or visa application center fees that are not included in the visa fee.
You should always be in check with your Greek embassy or consulate to confirm the visa fee for your specific circumstances.
Conclusion
Congratulations, you’ve just earned a PhD in Greek tourist visas—or at least the internet equivalent. Now, you’re all set to trade in these web pages for ancient ruins and breathtaking beaches.
Grab your passport, pack your bags, and let Greece work its magic.
Greece Unleashed!
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