Travel Rules For Greek Citizens Visiting The Uk

can greek citizens travel to the uk

Greek citizens can travel to the UK for holidays or short trips without needing a visa. However, they will need a valid passport to enter the UK, which should be valid for the whole duration of their stay. From 1 October 2021, the UK no longer accepts EU and Schengen National ID cards for travel and requires a passport to enter the country.

Characteristics Values
Can Greek citizens travel to the UK? Yes, Greek citizens can travel to the UK for holidays or short trips without needing a visa.
What documents are required? Greek citizens can use a valid passport to enter the UK.
Can they use a National ID card? Greek citizens cannot use a National ID card to enter the UK unless they have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or have applied to the scheme by 30 June 2021 but are awaiting a decision.
How long can they stay in the UK without a visa? Greek citizens can stay in the UK for up to 6 months without a visa.

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Greek citizens can enter the UK with a valid passport

If you are a Greek citizen with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you can enter the UK with a national ID card until at least 31 December 2025. This also applies if you have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021 but have not yet received a decision. After 31 December 2025, ID cards can still be used for entry if they meet the security standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

If you are travelling to the UK, it is important to check that your passport meets the validity requirements. Your passport must have an 'issue date' less than 10 years before the date of your arrival in the UK. Additionally, the passport must have an 'expiry date' at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the UK.

It is recommended to check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet all the necessary requirements. You may be denied entry if you do not possess a valid travel document or attempt to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

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They can stay for up to 6 months without a visa

Greek citizens can travel to the UK for holidays or short trips without needing a visa. However, they can stay for up to 6 months without a visa. This is part of the UK's new points-based immigration system. During this time, Greek citizens may participate in a wide range of activities, including business-related activities such as meetings, events, and conferences. They may also enter the UK multiple times during the 6-month period, but they may not live in the UK by means of frequent or successive visits.

As a business visitor, a Greek citizen cannot:

  • Do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person
  • Do a work placement or internship
  • Sell directly to the public or provide goods and services

If a Greek citizen wishes to work in the UK for longer than 6 months, they need to apply for a visa.

Greek citizens can cross the UK border using a valid passport, which should be valid for the whole time they are in the UK. They can also use the automatic ePassport gates to pass through the border on arrival.

It is important to note that Greek citizens cannot use a national ID card to enter the UK unless they have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man's settlement schemes. They can continue to use their national ID card to enter the UK until at least 31 December 2025.

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Greek citizens can use automatic ePassport gates to pass through the UK border

To use the ePassport gates, the traveller must have a biometric passport from the United Kingdom and certain other countries. The ePassport gate scanner reads all the information contained in the chip inside the passport, while a camera takes a picture of the traveller. This picture is then compared against their passport photo using a facial recognition algorithm. Once the data verification and facial recognition process is complete, the doors will either open, permitting the traveller entry, or remain closed with a stop icon illuminating, indicating that the traveller has failed the security checks and will need to meet with immigration officials.

There are over 270 ePassport gates in place at 15 air and rail ports in the UK. British citizens, European Union, European Economic Area and Swiss citizens who are aged 10 or over and holding biometric passports are eligible to use the ePassport gates. Greek citizens fall under the category of European Union citizens and can therefore use the ePassport gates if they meet the age and passport requirements.

It is important to note that ePassport gates do not accept national identity cards. Travellers must have a biometric symbol on the cover of their passport to be eligible to use the ePassport gates. Additionally, those aged 10 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult when using the ePassport gates.

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They must have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to use a National ID card to enter the UK

Greek citizens, as EU citizens, can travel to the UK for holidays or short trips without needing a visa. However, they cannot use their National ID card to enter the UK unless they have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

The EU Settlement Scheme is a way for EU citizens and their family members to continue living and working in the UK, with the same access to work, study, and public benefits and services as they had before. The scheme provides two statuses: settled and pre-settled.

To be eligible for settled or pre-settled status, Greek citizens must have started living in the UK by 31 December 2020. They will also need to provide evidence of their continuous residence in the UK. This is usually done through a National Insurance number, which allows an automated check of residence based on tax and benefit records. If this check shows that the applicant has been in the UK for five years in a row, no further proof of residence is required.

Greek citizens can apply for settled or pre-settled status by scanning their valid passport or biometric national identity card and uploading a digital photo of their face using the 'EU Exit: ID Document Check' app. They can also send their documents by post and upload their photo using the online application form.

Once their application is submitted, Greek citizens will receive an application certificate via email, which can be used to prove their rights in the UK while they wait for a decision. After receiving their decision letter, they can view their status online. It is important to keep this online status up to date, especially when renewing or replacing identity documents, changing names or contact details, or adding new identity documents.

Greek citizens with settled or pre-settled status can use their National ID card to enter the UK until at least 31 December 2025.

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Greek citizens may need a visa if they plan to work or study in the UK

Greek citizens can travel to the UK for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if they are travelling to visit family or friends, attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training. However, Greek citizens who plan to work or study in the UK for a longer period of time may need to apply for a visa.

For Greek citizens wishing to work in the UK, a Uniform (Schengen) visa will be required if they plan to stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. To obtain this visa, Greek citizens must provide the following:

  • A photograph and their fingerprints (biometric information)
  • A valid travel document or passport that satisfies the following criteria:
  • Valid for at least three months after the intended date of departure
  • Contains at least two blank pages
  • Has been issued within the previous 10 years
  • Proof of travel reservations to and from the UK
  • Adequate and valid travel medical insurance
  • A contract of employment or independent services with an enterprise or organisation
  • A solemn declaration stating that the basic working conditions are met in accordance with the national legal framework in Greece

The visa fee for each applicant is 80 euros. It is important to note that this information is specifically for Greek citizens applying for a work visa in the UK, and the requirements may differ for other types of visas or for citizens of other countries.

For Greek citizens who wish to study in the UK for an extended period, they may need to apply for a long-term "national visa". This type of visa is required for stays longer than 90 days and Greek citizens can apply for this visa through the Greek authorities. The specific requirements and fees for this type of visa may vary, and it is recommended to check with the relevant authorities for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Frequently asked questions

Greek citizens can travel to the UK for holidays or short trips without needing a visa. However, they will need to apply for a visa if they plan to work or study in the UK.

Greek citizens will need a valid passport to enter the UK. This should be valid for the whole of their stay.

Greek citizens can stay in the UK without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

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