Country Information

A passport valid for three months beyond the length of stay and issued within the past 10 years is required by all nationals listed in the chart above except (1) EU nationals holding a passport or national ID card which is valid for the duration of stay. If travelling from one border-free Schengen country to another however, EU nationals are not required to show a passport or national ID card. It is still recommended that you travel with your passport or ID card to prove your identity if necessary though. Note that Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the UK are not part of the Schengen area, so a passport or ID card is required if travelling to/from these countries. EU nationals are not required to possess a return ticket or show sufficient funds.

A visa is not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations: • Nationals of most EU countries for stays of up to 90 days (EU/EEA citizens may stay a further three months if seeking work). • Nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of up to 90 days. Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.

Greece refuses admission and transit to holders of travel documents issued by the area of Cyprus not controlled by the Government of Cyprus, and holders of UN laissez-passers.

Australian, Canadian, US and EU passport holders do not require transit visas. Other nationals should check with the consulate.

Greece is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.

Transit/short-stay Schengen visa: Euro60 (£49.20).

Schengen visa: 90 days within a six-month period.

In person at the consular section of their nearest Greek Embassy. In the UK, nationals requiring a visa can apply via the Greece Visa Application Centre (www.vfsglobal.com/greece/unitedkingdom); an additional service charge of £17.20 applies.

If you're an EU national and are staying more than 90 days, you have to apply in person to the Aliens Department office (in Athens) or at your nearest police station (in districts outside Athens) for a Registration Certificate (Veveoisi Engrafis), which is valid indefinitely. To obtain this, you need to show the passport you used when entering the country and provide a statement from your employer (if you're here for work), or a marriage or birth certificate (if you're here because of family ties). If you're from the USA, you can apply for a temporary residence permit, valid from three to six months. These are issued by your local Aliens police office, but only if you can show evidence that you have a compelling reason to prolong your stay in Greece.

Visa processing time is usually seven to 14 days.

Non-EU passport holders can stay within the Schengen zone for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. After their 90-day stay, they cannot return to these countries for at least another 90 days.

Australian, Canadian, US and EU passport holders do not need to prove access to funds when entering Greece for tourism. Schengen visa applicants do need to prove sufficient funds.

Schengen visa holders can only extend their visas in exceptional circumstances, such as force majeure or for humanitarian reasons.

Pets travelling to Greece from other EU countries need a microchip for identification, an EU pet passport, and stamp to prove they have been vaccinated against rabies (within between four weeks and one year of date of entry into Greece). Pets arriving from outside the EU need a health certificate completed by a vet in either Greek or English.