
Greece is a party to the Schengen Agreement, which allows citizens of certain countries to enter without a visa for stays of up to 90 days. For entry into Greece, your passport should have at least three months of validity beyond your intended date of departure. If you are transiting a country that requires six months of validity, you may not be permitted to continue your trip, so it is recommended that you have at least six months of validity to avoid any travel disruptions.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Passport validity | Must have a 'date of issue' less than 10 years before the arrival date and an expiry date at least 3 months after the intended departure date |
Visa requirements | Not required for stays less than 90 days within a 6-month period for citizens of countries like the US, Canada, and Australia |
Travel document alternatives | ID card for citizens of countries that are signatories to the Schengen Agreement |
Other requirements | Proof of sufficient funds, return ticket, and travel insurance |
What You'll Learn
Greece's passport validity requirements
Greece is a party to the Schengen Agreement, so if you are a US citizen, you may enter Greece without a visa for stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. Your passport should have at least six months of remaining validity. While Greek law requires only three months of passport validity beyond your intended date of departure, if you are transiting a country that requires six months of validity, you may not be permitted to continue your trip. Therefore, it is recommended that you have at least six months of validity to avoid any travel disruptions.
If you are a citizen of the following countries, you can visit Greece and remain in the country for up to three months (90 days) within a six-month period: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Vatican, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, USA, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
If your country of origin is a signatory to the Schengen Agreement, you may use your national ID to enter the country and stay for three months. In these cases, a passport is not necessary, although you will need it for currency exchange, shopping, etc.
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Visa requirements for Greece
Greece is a party to the Schengen Agreement, so citizens of countries that are also part of the Schengen Agreement can enter Greece without a visa for stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. This includes citizens of the following countries:
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Australia
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Canada
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Iceland
- Israel
- Japan
- Liechtenstein
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Norway
- Panama
- Paraguay
- San Marino
- Singapore
- South Korea
- USA
- Uruguay
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
If you are a citizen of a country that is not part of the Schengen Agreement, you may need to obtain a visa before travelling to Greece. Contact the Greek Embassy or Consulate in your country for more information.
When entering Greece, your passport should have at least six months of remaining validity. While Greek law requires three months of passport validity beyond your intended date of departure, if you are transiting a country that requires six months of validity, you may not be permitted to continue your trip. Therefore, it is recommended that you have at least six months of validity to avoid any travel disruptions.
In addition to a valid passport, you may also need to provide the following when entering Greece:
- Proof of sufficient funds for your stay
- A return or onward ticket
If you are staying in Greece for longer than 90 days, you must apply for a national visa from the Greek authorities.
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What to do if your passport is missing a stamp
To enter Greece, you need to have a valid travel document. If you are a citizen of the US, you can enter Greece without a visa for stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. Your passport should have at least six months of remaining validity. While Greek law requires three months of passport validity beyond the intended date of your departure, if you are transiting a country that requires six months of validity, you may not be permitted to continue your trip.
If your passport is missing an entry or exit stamp, you can show evidence of when and where you entered or left the Schengen area (for example, boarding passes or tickets) and ask the border guards to add the date and location to your passport. You may also need to show a return or onward ticket and prove that you have enough money for your stay.
In the US, many airports have discontinued stamping passports with an entry stamp when you enter the country. Instead, each time you enter, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) creates an online, electronic entry record to record your entry, called an I-94 record. This is your only official record of entry to the US, and you may need it for other purposes, so you should check and save a screenshot of your I-94 record each time you enter the country.
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How to stay in Greece longer than 90 days
To stay in Greece for longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for a visa at the Greek Embassy or Consulate before your arrival in the country. The type of visa you will need depends on your reason for staying in Greece. Here are some of the options available:
- Employment Visa: This visa is for foreigners who have secured employment in Greece. Work visas are available for various professions, including skilled and semi-skilled workers. Employment visas are long-duration visas and qualify the holder for a resident permit.
- Student Visa: If you plan to study in Greece, you will need a student visa. This type of visa is valid for the duration of your course. However, you must first secure admission to a tertiary institution in Greece before applying for the visa at the embassy.
- Tourist Visa: Tourists who plan to stay in Greece longer than 90 days may need to apply for a tourist visa. However, most tourists do not stay for an extended period. It is important to note that the tourist visa is a short-stay visa.
- Residence Permit: Citizens from visa-free countries may apply for residence permits in Greece if they meet certain requirements. There are different types of permits, and they are issued to foreigners who have stayed in the country for an extended period and fulfil specific conditions. Adults can apply for a residence permit, while minors' parents, guardians, or relatives may apply on their behalf.
- Bilateral Agreement: Some countries have bilateral agreements with Greece that allow their citizens to stay longer than 90 days. For example, France has an agreement that allows US citizens to stay for an additional 90 days beyond the Schengen limit. However, you must leave Europe after this period and cannot use this time to reset your Schengen clock.
- Working Holiday Visa: Working holiday visas are available for citizens of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, and often South Korea, Israel, Hong Kong, and Japan. These visas allow young travellers to work and travel in Greece for one to two years.
- Long-Term-Stay Visa: France and Sweden offer long-term stay visas that allow visitors to reside in the country for up to one year. To obtain this type of visa, you will need to provide proof of income, medical insurance, and accommodation, among other requirements.
It is important to note that the rules and requirements for visas and residence permits may change, so it is recommended to check with the Greek Embassy or Consulate for the most up-to-date information. Additionally, make sure your passport has at least six months of remaining validity to avoid any travel disruptions.
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What to do if your passport is lost or stolen
To enter Greece, your passport must meet certain requirements. It must have a 'date of issue' of less than 10 years before your arrival date, and an 'expiry date' of at least three months after you plan to leave the country. It is also recommended that your passport has at least six months of remaining validity.
If your passport is lost or stolen, here is what you should do:
- File a police report at the nearest police station as soon as possible. If you have left the area, you may email the airport police with a detailed description of the incident. Alternatively, contact the closest Greek consulate in your home country for assistance.
- Cancel your credit/debit cards.
- Report your passport as lost/stolen online.
- Visit the Embassy website for emergency passport instructions. You will need to go to the Embassy in person.
- Contact your airline if you will miss your flight due to the theft to discuss your options.
- Consult the Department of Motor Vehicles to replace your driver's license.
- If your passport was stolen in the Athens Metro, check with the Lost and Found office to see if it has been recovered.
If you are a U.S. citizen travelling on a passport reported lost or stolen, you will not be permitted entry into Greece and may be returned to your original departure point. If you are a permanent resident in Greece, schedule an appointment to go to the Embassy.
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