Greece Visa

Do I need a visa to visit the Schengen Area?

Visa requirements depend on your nationality, country of residence, purpose of travel and length of stay. Citizens of visa-exempt countries may be able to travel to the Schengen Area without a visa for short stays, while other travellers may need to apply for a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) or another appropriate visa category.

How can I apply for a Schengen visa?

You can generally apply through:

• The embassy or consulate of the Schengen country responsible for processing your application.

• An authorised visa application centre (VAC), where applications are accepted through such centres.

• The applicable official online application system, where online applications or appointment booking are available.

What is a Schengen short-stay visa?

A Schengen short-stay visa allows eligible travellers to visit one or more Schengen countries for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. It may be used for purposes such as tourism, business, visiting family or friends, and other permitted short-term activities.

How long does it take to process a Schengen visa?

• Short-Stay Visa (Type C): Applications are generally processed within 15 calendar days, although processing may take longer in certain circumstances.

• Extended Processing: In individual cases, additional checks, documentation or consultation may result in a longer processing period.

• Business Visa: Processing time follows the applicable short-stay visa processing procedure and may vary depending on the application and supporting documents.

What is the duration of stay allowed with a Schengen visa?

• Schengen Short-Stay Visa: Up to 90 days within any 180-day period, subject to the validity and conditions stated on the visa.

• Long-Stay Visa: The permitted duration depends on the purpose of travel and the rules of the relevant Schengen country.

Can I extend my Schengen visa?

A Schengen short-stay visa may be extended only in limited circumstances and in accordance with the applicable rules. Requests must generally be submitted to the competent authorities of the relevant Schengen country before the authorised stay expires.

What are the Schengen visa fees?

• The applicable Schengen visa fee depends on the applicant category and the current fee schedule.

• Reduced or waived fees may apply to certain applicants or categories under the applicable rules.

• Additional visa application centre or service charges may apply where an authorised application centre is used.

• Applicants should confirm the current applicable fees before submitting their application.

Do I need travel insurance for a Schengen visa?

Yes. Travel medical insurance is generally required for Schengen short-stay visa applications. The insurance should provide coverage for emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation and repatriation, with a minimum coverage of €30,000, subject to the applicable Schengen requirements.

Can I apply for a multiple-entry Schengen visa?

Yes. Eligible applicants may be granted a multiple-entry Schengen visa, allowing multiple entries into the Schengen Area during the visa's validity period. The number of entries and validity period depend on the visa issued and the applicant's circumstances.

Can I visit the Schengen Area if I have a residence permit from another country?

Possibly. Visa requirements depend on the type and issuing country of the residence permit, as well as the traveller's nationality and destination. Holding a residence permit does not automatically mean that a Schengen visa is required or that the traveller is visa-exempt, so the applicable entry requirements should be confirmed before travel.

Can I visit multiple Schengen countries with one Schengen visa?

Yes, generally. A valid Schengen visa can allow travel between participating Schengen countries during the authorised period of stay, subject to the visa's validity, number of entries and applicable conditions.

Which Schengen country should I apply to?

You should generally apply to the Schengen country that is your main destination based on the purpose and duration of your trip. If you plan to visit multiple Schengen countries and no single country is your main destination, different application rules may apply based on your itinerary.

Does having a Schengen visa guarantee entry?

No. A Schengen visa allows you to travel to a border crossing point, but the final decision on entry is made by the relevant border authorities. Travellers may be asked to provide supporting documents relating to the purpose and conditions of their stay.

Important Note

Visa requirements, fees, processing procedures and entry conditions may change. Applicants should verify the latest requirements with the relevant embassy, consulate or authorised visa application centre before applying or travelling.

Visa requirements depend on your nationality, country of residence, purpose of travel and length of stay. Citizens of visa-exempt countries may be able to travel to the Schengen Area without a visa for short stays, while other travellers may need to apply for a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) or another appropriate visa category.

How can I apply for a Schengen visa?

You can generally apply through:

• The embassy or consulate of the Schengen country responsible for processing your application.

• An authorised visa application centre (VAC), where applications are accepted through such centres.

• The applicable official online application system, where online applications or appointment booking are available.

What is a Schengen short-stay visa?

A Schengen short-stay visa allows eligible travellers to visit one or more Schengen countries for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. It may be used for purposes such as tourism, business, visiting family or friends, and other permitted short-term activities.

How long does it take to process a Schengen visa?

• Short-Stay Visa (Type C): Applications are generally processed within 15 calendar days, although processing may take longer in certain circumstances.

• Extended Processing: In individual cases, additional checks, documentation or consultation may result in a longer processing period.

• Business Visa: Processing time follows the applicable short-stay visa processing procedure and may vary depending on the application and supporting documents.

What is the duration of stay allowed with a Schengen visa?

• Schengen Short-Stay Visa: Up to 90 days within any 180-day period, subject to the validity and conditions stated on the visa.

• Long-Stay Visa: The permitted duration depends on the purpose of travel and the rules of the relevant Schengen country.

Can I extend my Schengen visa?

A Schengen short-stay visa may be extended only in limited circumstances and in accordance with the applicable rules. Requests must generally be submitted to the competent authorities of the relevant Schengen country before the authorised stay expires.

What are the Schengen visa fees?

• The applicable Schengen visa fee depends on the applicant category and the current fee schedule.

• Reduced or waived fees may apply to certain applicants or categories under the applicable rules.

• Additional visa application centre or service charges may apply where an authorised application centre is used.

• Applicants should confirm the current applicable fees before submitting their application.

Do I need travel insurance for a Schengen visa?

Yes. Travel medical insurance is generally required for Schengen short-stay visa applications. The insurance should provide coverage for emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation and repatriation, with a minimum coverage of €30,000, subject to the applicable Schengen requirements.

Can I apply for a multiple-entry Schengen visa?

Yes. Eligible applicants may be granted a multiple-entry Schengen visa, allowing multiple entries into the Schengen Area during the visa's validity period. The number of entries and validity period depend on the visa issued and the applicant's circumstances.

Can I visit the Schengen Area if I have a residence permit from another country?

Possibly. Visa requirements depend on the type and issuing country of the residence permit, as well as the traveller's nationality and destination. Holding a residence permit does not automatically mean that a Schengen visa is required or that the traveller is visa-exempt, so the applicable entry requirements should be confirmed before travel.

Can I visit multiple Schengen countries with one Schengen visa?

Yes, generally. A valid Schengen visa can allow travel between participating Schengen countries during the authorised period of stay, subject to the visa's validity, number of entries and applicable conditions.

Which Schengen country should I apply to?

You should generally apply to the Schengen country that is your main destination based on the purpose and duration of your trip. If you plan to visit multiple Schengen countries and no single country is your main destination, different application rules may apply based on your itinerary.

Does having a Schengen visa guarantee entry?

No. A Schengen visa allows you to travel to a border crossing point, but the final decision on entry is made by the relevant border authorities. Travellers may be asked to provide supporting documents relating to the purpose and conditions of their stay.