Greece Visa: Entry requirements and pre-travel information for Greece

Traveling to Greece? You may need a visa – find out if you do, which type, and how to apply so you can get the paperwork out of the way and focus on your trip.

What's a Greece Schengen Visa, and who's it for?

Who's the Greece Schengen Visa for?

Travelers from over 100 eligible countries can apply for a Greece Schengen Visa.

Who's not eligible for the Greece Schengen Visa?

Residents of the European Union and nationals of Schengen countries can travel visa-free within the Schengen Zone​, as well as some other visa-exempt nationals.

What's the purpose of the Greece Schengen Visa?

• Tourism

• Visiting family and friends

• Attending business meetings, conferences, or other business activities

• Participating in a short recreational course

• Playing sports

How long can you stay with a Greece Schengen Visa?

The visa allows a stay of up to 90 days within 180 days in the Schengen Area. The visa's validity period can range from 180 days to 5 years, determined by the embassy based on your travel history and personal circumstances.

Learn more about the Greece Schengen Visa

What's a Greece ETIAS, and who's it for?

Who's the Greece ETIAS for?

Travelers from countries that don't need a visa to visit Greece and other participating countries can apply for ETIAS authorization.

Citizens from over 60 visa-exempt countries must apply for ETIAS authorization, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Japan, and Singapore.

Who's not eligible for the Greece ETIAS?

• Citizens from countries requiring a visa to enter the Schengen Area.

• EU/EEA/Swiss citizens as they enjoy freedom of movement within the Schengen Area and don't need any visa or authorization.

• Individuals with an outstanding entry ban or alert in the Schengen Information System.

• Travelers who don't meet the security and entry criteria the ETIAS system determines.

What's the purpose of the Greece ETIAS?

To pre-check travelers from visa-exempt countries before they enter participating countries, including Greece, for security reasons and to make the entry process quicker and easier.

How long can you stay with a Greece ETIAS? The ETIAS authorization allows for short-term visits, typically up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It's valid for multiple entries within 3 years or until the end of the validity of the passport registered during the application, whichever comes first.

We'll update this page as soon as ETIAS is implemented in 2025.

What are Greece's long-term visa options?

Greece offers several long-term/national visa options for various purposes, such as employment, study, business, and residence.

At iVisa, we currently don't offer the above visas, but you can find out more from the Greek government website.

Staying healthy in Greece: Here's what you need to know

Greece has a mix of public and private healthcare facilities. Here's what travelers should know.

Make sure to stay updated on routine vaccines

Keep updated with Greece's COVID-19 requirements, such as quarantine, testing, or vaccine certificates, through your airline or the Greek government website.

Medical facilities

• The quality of healthcare in major cities such as Athens and Thessaloniki is good, with well-trained medical staff.

• However, on some remote islands or rural areas, healthcare facilities may be less accessible or have limited services.

Health insurance

We'd always recommend taking out health insurance before you travel anywhere from any destination.

It's advisable for travelers to have comprehensive travel health insurance that covers medical treatment abroad and medical evacuation.

Contact your insurance provider before traveling to ensure you have the right level of coverage.

Other things to consider:

• Trip cancellation, delay, and interruption benefits.

• Medical expenses and medical evacuation benefits.

• Baggage coverage.

Things to be aware of when visiting Greece

Keep an extra eye on the following to stay healthy and safe during your trip to Greece:

1. Heatwaves: Temperatures can soar during the summer months (June to August), leading to risks of heatstroke and dehydration.

2. Food and water safety: Tap water is safe to drink in most of Greece, but it's recommended to drink bottled water in some islands or rural areas.

• Mosquitoes: While not common, there have been cases of West Nile Virus in Greece. It's advisable to use mosquito repellent and wear long-sleeved clothing, especially from dusk to dawn.

Medication for personal use

Follow these tips to bring some over-the-counter medications into Greece:

• Declare all medications: Report all medications for personal use to the customs authorities.

• Original packaging: Always keep medicines in their original containers and transparent bags in your hand luggage.

• Prescription or doctor's letter: Present the medical prescription issued by your doctor or other competent authority in English.

• Check for restrictions: Call Greece's embassy to verify that all of your prescriptions are legal to bring with you.

• Quantity aligned with itinerary: Bring only a reasonable quantity that aligns with the duration of your stay to avoid complications.