Greece is situated in southeastern Europe with thousands of Aegean and Ionian islands. Formerly influential, it’s considered the birthplace of Western civilization. Its capital, Athens, has the 5th-century B.C. Acropolis Fortress and Parthenon. Santorini’s black sands and Mykonos’ party resorts are famous Greek beaches.
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How to Apply for a Greece Schengen Visa?
To apply for a Greece Schengen Visa, complete the following steps:
- Check if Greece requires a visa.
- Know Your Visa Type.
- Where to Apply for a Visa.
- Fill out the application.
- Book a Greek Embassy or Visa Application Center Appointment.
- Gather Greece Schengen Visa Application Documents.
- Visit your visa appointment.
- Await Visa Processing.
- Get Your Passport.
At any point if you need help, then you can use our Greece visa consultation service to help you.
We stay updated on visa application advancements due to our daily Schengen visa advice. Our knowledge makes the procedure faster and more error-free, lowering visa rejections.
If the answer to any of the above is Greece, then you need to get an Greece Schengen visa.
What are the types of Greece Schengen visa that I need to apply for ?
The type of visa you need depends on your purpose of travel & duration. These can be categorized as :
- Greece Transit Visa : If you are having a layover in one of the airports of Greece, then you may need to get a transit visa.
- Greece Tourist Visa : Want to backpack across the Alps of Greece? Then you can get a tourist visa for a maximum period of 90 days.
- Greece Visitor visa : This visa if for those who have a relative or friend who is living in Greece.
- Greece Business visa : If you are attending any trade fair, meeting clients or engaging in any business related activity you need a business visa.
- Greece Diplomat visa : for official visits of national delegations or government officials.
- Greece Medical visa : If you want to get some surgery or medical treatment in Greece.
- Greece Student Visa : Enrolling in a university in Greece. Then you can get a student visa or study visa.
- Greece visa for Sports, Film Crew : If you are attending any football event or shooting a movie ? then you need to get a culture visa.
- Greece Spouse Visa : If you want to join your spouse who either is a citizen or has a work permit in Greece.
So look at the list and determine the type of Greece Schengen visa you must get . The next section we will book a Schengen visa appointment, so keep yours and your co-applicants passports ready.
How do I book an appointment for Greece Schengen Visa?
It is very important that you book your visa appointment ASAP as without this step your whole travel plan can be ruined.
Without an appointment, All your flight, hotel and travel itinerary is going to be useless when you are planning a trip and then you hear no appointment slots are currently available VFSGlobal.
The consulate releases appointments for the next 3 months at a time, you can schedule your appointment at that time. Also, you need to get a separate appointment for each co-applicant, so better keep their details ready.
If there are no Schengen visa appointments available, then get in touch with us and we will help you with alternative methods.
Where to book an appointment for Greece Schengen visa?
Visa appointments can be made online. We cannot give a link to get an appointment because it depends on your area. You must verify yourself.
Schedule an appointment with the Schengen consulate or third-party visa processing businesses like VFSGlobal or BLSS Spain. You may also use third-party services to schedule appointments.
Can I get one appointment for my whole family ?
No, Each individual applicant must have one single appointment for each family member . On the VFSGlobal portal, one account can book upto 5 Schengen visa Appointments. But dates for everyone to get the appointment on the same day might not be possible.
What details should I enter book the appointment?
We require your name, passport number, expiration date, issuing date, etc. We’ll handle this if you type it in or email us a passport photo.
The consulate needs different information in different countries. We will contact you for more information.
Print down your appointment reference number (ARN) to submit with your visa application.
Learn about Schengen visa appointments here.
Is a Schengen Visa Required for Greece?
You need a short-stay visa to enter Greece and other Schengen countries if you fall into these categories:
- You are a citizen of a developing countries without a visa liberalization agreement with Schengen.
- Your third country has a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen states, but you were previously denied entry to Greece or any other Schengen country.
Documents needed for Greece Schengen visa
The next step is to prepare your Greece visa documentation, which depend on visa type, applicant age, and work status.
The minimum Schengen visa documents are:
- Schengen visa application form
- Two Photographs as per Schengen visa specifications
- Passport
- Travel Itinerary
- RoundTrip Flight Itinerary
- Schengen Approved Travel Insurance
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of Sustenance
- Proof of civil status
Additional documentation may be required depending on an applicant’s work status.
Are you employed ?
- Employment contract
- Copy of latest bank statements of atleast 6 months. These needs to be signed by the bank.
- Leave approval letter from your company.
- Income tax Returns (ITR ) forms.
Are you self-employed ?
- A copy of your business registration like Tax or Company TIN or PAN
- Copy of latest bank statements of atleast 6 months. These needs to be signed by the bank
- Latest Income tax Proofs (ITR)
Are you a Student ?
- Proof of Enrollment
- No objection certificate from School or college.
Are you retired ?
- A copy of your pension order for last 6 months
- Bank statements signed by the bank.
Is the visa applicant a minor ?
* Birth certificate of the minor travelling to Greece.
* Greece Visa application form signed by both parents.
* Family court order. In cases where only one parent has full custody of the child.
* Certified copies of ID/passport of both parents
* Consent from the Guardianship Authority. If the minor will be travelling with only one parent, or alone with another person
If your main income is from a different source ?
- Any other proof of regular income such as rental certificate.
Additional documents depend on the visa you apply for.
Additional Documents for Greece Tourist Visa
- A Travel itinerary explaining your day wise travel plan.
- Proof of accommodation such as hotel, hostel or an invitation letter.
- Flight itinerary for visa or a fully refundable flight ticket.
Additional Documents for Greece Business Visa
- An invitation letter from the company that is inviting you to Europe.
- A leave approval letter from your current employer stating both the approval of your leave/travel as well as reason for your travel.
- Business Bank Statement of the last 6 months.
- Memorandum of Association (MOA) copy of the original certificate.
- Trade licensing Approval (if any)
- Proof of Trip Sustenance : A clear letter from the employer stating who is responsible of the expenses of the trip. If the payment is done to the employee and the employee will be reimbursed later. It needs to be mentioned in the letter.
Additional documents for Greece Medical Visa
- Evidence of payment for therapy (if any)
- A letter from your own nation’s hospital declaring the necessity for treatment in the visiting country.
- Letter of support for the treatment (if any)
- Appointment with a hospital in a foreign country (if any)
- A letter from the Ministry of Health indicating that they would cover your costs (if any)
Additional documents for Greece Student Visa
- Evidence of enrollment in the institution
- Certificate of no objection from your current college
Additional Documents for Greece Visitor Visa
The visitor visa format will be as follows:
- An invitation letter is now required in the visa requirements section.
- If visiting and staying with friends or family in Greece (without financial sponsorship):Invitation letter from the host, the letter must clearly identify the host and the invitee (name, address, birth date, official identification number, occupations and permanent residence); the purpose of the visit; length of stay and accommodation status (where the invitee stays and who pays for it). Copy of the host’s passport and proof of residence.
- If visiting and staying with friends or family in Greece (with financial sponsorship):If your visit is supported and paid for by a sponsor residing in Greece, an electronic affidavit which can be obtained by the host from the nearest aliens police in Greece is required.
- In some cases you might be asked to provide an “Electronic Guarantee Letter“. This service is free of charge and provided by the local aliens police. The authority dealing with your EVE will forward the information to the Greece Embassy within 48 hours. You will receive an ID-number which the visa applicant should provide at the interview.
Additional Documents for Greece Transit Visa
- Flight ticket to the ultimate destination.
- A visa to the target country is necessary (if required)
Additional Documents for Greece Sports, Culture Visa
- Event Information. As:
- Invitation letter from the relevant body in Greece with details upon the nature of events or activities that are to be held in Greece.
- Entry tickets to the event.
- Enrolment conditions.
- Detailed program of the event in Greece.
- Other documents that present the Names of the applicants (crew members) and other relevant information about the event.
- Proof of previous performances. Participation in previous festivals and ceremonies (cultural, religious), sports competitions, winners certificates, proof of world/international ranking (sports).
Additional Documents for Greece Spouse Visa
When applying to get Greece visa as the spouse of Greece citizen, you must provide the following additional documents:
- Proof of Greece citizenship (ID card or consular card or certification of Greece nationality or naturalization order).
- Greece marriage certificate.
- Greece family record book.
You must include the following information in the visa requirements part of the letter:
- There are two application forms.
- Marriage certificate copy
- Copy of Spouse’s Passport and Residence Permit
Do Greece Visa applications require an airline ticket? Can you use flight itineraries?
A fully purchased airline ticket is unsafe when applying for a Greece Schengen visa. You can use a temporary booking or flying itinerary. After your visa is accepted, book your flight.
Our customers can use FlightGen App to design flight itineraries. How to use flight itinerary for visa.
What does a Greece visa travel itinerary mean?
If your visa is approved, a travel itinerary is a day-by-day schedule for Greece. Your visa letter or cover letter must include this information for the consulate to approve your visa.
To know more about creating cover letter or visa letter for Greece Schengen visa.
Does Greece visa application require a cover letter?
Yes. Schengen visa applications require a cover letter.Please bring a cover letter to your Schengen visa appointment, per the VFS website.
Is Schengen visa application required travel insurance?
Yes. A travel insurance is mandatory for any Schengen visa application including Greece Schengen visa and the insurance must cover the whole travel duration.
You can get your travel insurance for less than $1 per day from visitorscoverage.com.
How to get a Greece Schengen visa?
You must double-check your paperwork after booking your appointment and preparing them. Check that you provided all flights and accommodations to the cover letter destinations.
Check the Greece visa application form dates against your cover letter.
This is the first document the visa officer will read and the only place you may communicate to them, thus a cover letter is crucial.
BlinkDocs App lets you generate a visa cover letter for $5.
Next, print two copies of all your documents and organize them according to the checklist.
On interview day, bring two blue pens, a soft copy of all documents, cash (certain visa consulates only accept cash), and dress formally.
Do not worry about submitting your fingerprints; if your documentation is incorrect, you will have a few minutes to amend it and return.
Our consultation feature lets you message your visa specialist, who will answer your questions.
Where to Apply for Greece Schengen visa ?
Depending on your country and jurisdiction, the Greece embassy or a third party VAC like VFS Global, BLSS, or TLS Contact may collect visa applications on behalf of the consulate.
Be aware of this and find out who handles visas in your city. The Greek embassy in your area may not process your visa application.
How long does it take to approve my Greece visa Application ?
Visa approval can take 15 working days from paperwork submission. It can take 25 days if there are long holidays.
You can apply for a Greece visa up to 3 months before your travel because Schengen visa appointments last 2 months.
What is the fee for Greece Schengen visa ?
The fee for Greece Schengen visa is € 80 for adults and €40 for kids over age of 6 . Children below 6 can apply for Schengen visa for free If you are applying with VFS or BLSS, then there is a processing fee of €20 that you will need to pay with VFS or BLSS.
Who requires an Greece Schengen visa ?
Greece allows visa-free entry for EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens.
Foreigners may need visas to enter Schengen or Greece.
Foreigners outside the EEA or Switzerland who intend to work or intern need a visa (see also “Temporary work visa”).
A visa-free EU regulation allows non-working people from certain countries to stay in Greece for 90 days per 180 days.
FAQ:
Is it a straightforward process to obtain a Schengen visa for Greece?
So based on the trend over the last decade, one can conclude that the Greek visa is easy to get for eligible applicants who meet the criteria. Over 91% of applications for Greek Schengen visas are approved every year, which translates to 1 in 10 application rejections.
How long does it take to get a Schengen visa in Greece?
Visa applications may take up to 15 calendar days to process. For certain nationalities (see list here) the visa application needs consultation from the other Schengen countries and therefore the minimum processing time takes 3 weeks. Some applications may require further processing, which could take up to 45 days.
Does Greece give 1 year Schengen visa?
Types of Greek Schengen Visa
There are different multiple entry Schengen visa types, which may be issued for the following periods of validity: 1-year multiple-entry visa. 3-year multiple-entry visa. 5-year multiple-entry visa.
Why is Greece visa rejected?
Incomplete Application Forms
At the time of applying for a Greece Schengen visa, you must submit a dully filled application form. In doing so, you cannot leave any segments blank. Failure to provide a completed application form will lead to Greece visa rejection. Every detail plays an important role.
How do I know my Greece visa is approved?
What is the status of my visa application? After you submit your application at the Visa Application Center for Greece we strongly encourage you to use our online service provided in order to track your application online and to check whether your passport is ready for collection.
Related links:
https://www.fas.usda.gov/sites/default/files/greece.pdf
https://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa