The birthplace of Western civilization and a cradle of democracy, Greece has recaptured the imagination of the tourist audience with its captivating natural vistas, sunny beaches, delectable cuisine, contemporary architecture, and awesome weather that makes it among the top tourist destinations in the modern century. Suppose you want to dive further into this European essence. In that case, you should first accomplish the barrier of the Greece Schengen visa process. Let us take you through a detailed view of the Greece visa to help you understand the key requirements, milestones, and special points for a hassle-free visa journey.

Greece visa requirements

Being a member of the Schengen member states, all nationals of the Schengen member states are allowed to freely move between borders without a visa. All other nationals must share the following documents for the visa process.

Visa application form

Your visa application form should be complete in all aspects without leaving any blank or empty fields in between. Double cross-check to avoid any missing or blank fields. Sign your visa application at the end before submission.

Valid passport

Your passport should meet the criteria set by the Schengen immigration officials with validity beyond three points from the departure date from Greece, issued in the last ten years, and two blank pages for the visa stamp.

Two passport-size photographs

Two recent passport-size photographs meet the requirements laid down by the Schengen officials. The photograph should have been captured in the last three months and have more than 80% face coverage.

Copies of previous visas issued, if applicable

Schengen travel insurance

Get valid health insurance during your entire stay in Greece from an authorized insurance agent who provides a minimum coverage of 30,000 Euros to cover any form of medical emergency during your stay.

Round-trip flight tickets

The applicant should present confirmed flight tickets with clear details of the passenger, flight details, and travel date, matching your approved visa for both your entry and return.

Valid accommodation

The applicant should present a confirmed hotel reservation voucher or place of accommodation that indicates your name, stay period, and hotel or place of accommodation details.

Proof of financial capability

All tourists and visitors traveling to Greece must have sufficient financial capability to cover their expenses in Greece, equivalent to almost 50 Euros per day.

Cover letter

A cover letter helps you to explain the rationale behind your visit to Greece, how long you intend to stay, and when you plan to depart, along with other relevant details.

Valid civil status

All tourists and visitors need to provide a validation of their civil status through a death certificate of their spouse, a marriage certificate, or the birth certificate of children, etc.

Additional visa requirements basis your purpose of entry

You will be expected to furnish the following documents and your standard documents at the Greek consulate/embassy while applying for a short-term Greek visa.

Transit visa

A short-term visa is issued to applicants traveling to a third country via Greece. Travelers should present the following documents in addition to the visa application form:

• Valid visa for the final destination country you are en route to. The destination country should be outside the Schengen region.
• A confirmed flight ticket to the final destination country you are traveling to.
• Medical fitness certificate certifying that you are not carrying any disease capable of putting the health risk of the public as per the World Health Organization guidelines.

Schengen visa

This short-term visa is issued to applicants who want to travel to Greece for tourism, leisure, or pleasure and is valid for up to 90 days within 180 days. The Schengen visa is among the most popular and commonly applied visa categories for short-term visas.

Business visa

This short-term visa is issued to applicants who intend to engage in some business-related activities in Greece, such as negotiations, business meetings, contract closure, the inauguration of a branch or business, or a business function. The following documents need to be furnished during the visa application process:

• Invitation letter from the company based in Greece with whom you will attend a meeting, negotiation, business conference, or function. The invitation letter should detail the event, dates, and the event's purpose.
• Your current employer should issue a no-objection certificate (NOC) stating the rationale for your Greek travel.
• Validation of the applicant's expenses is being taken care of by their current employer, as stated in the invitation letter.

Medical visa

This short-term visa is issued to applicants who intend to undergo medical treatment or consultation in Greece. The applicant needs to present the following documents as part of the visa application process:

• A local medical report clearly states the applicant's current medical condition and the rationale for traveling to Greece for medical treatment, consultation, or therapy, which should include the correspondence or reference between both doctors (Applicant's residing country & Greece)
• A local doctor or institute in Greece confirms the applicant's appointment and acknowledges your current medical condition.
• Proof of the financial expenses covered for their medical treatment or therapy in Greece.

Student visa

This long-term visa is issued to applicants who intend to study at a Greek university, institute, or school. All applicants are expected to present the following documents as part of their visa application process:

• No objection letter (NOC) from the current school or university, or institute, if applicable
• Enrolment or admission letter from the Greek institute, university, or school that will have the student's details, the duration, and the course they are about to study or enroll in.
• Suppose a student is undergoing an internship in Greece. In that case, the applicant must submit signed copies between the company based in Greece and the applicant.

Visa for sports/religious/cultural events or programs and film crew members

This short-term visa is issued to applicants who intend to practice, attend, or participate in any sporting/religious/cultural event hosted in Greece. The following documents need to be furnished during the visa application process:

• The local Greek organizer should send an invitation letter, which should be supported with the entry tickets, accommodation details, program, and enrolment details.
• Validation of any previous performances or participation in previous events or programs conducted.
• Letter from the film company specifying the name of all the crew members, shooting locations, and synopsis of the film, along with the letter from the Greece agency confirming the arrangements done for the film permits.

Visa for the spouse of a Greek national

This long-term visa is issued to a Greek national locally residing in Greece. The following documents need to be submitted during the visa application process:

• The original Greek citizenship proof
• Greek marriage certificate
• Greek family record books

Visa for official delegates

This short-term visa is issued to applicants who are official delegation members visiting Greece. The following documents are to be furnished during the Greek visa application process:

• The official invitation letter indicates the delegate's name, the travel dates, the journey's purpose, and the stay's duration.
• Evidence of the official event taking place
• A no-objection certificate from the local government of the applicant

Additional visa requirements based on your occupation status

There would be certain documents you will have to present depending on your occupancy status.

Employed professionals

• A confirmed employment contract signed by both parties involved
• Last six months' bank statement
• Leave permission from your employer
• Income tax return filed documents

Self-employed professionals

• A copy of your valid business license
• Last six months' company bank statement
• Income tax return filed documents

Retired professionals

• Validation of regular income sources generated by a property owned by you in the last six months
• Pension statement for the last six months

Students

• Validation of their enrolment or acceptance from a Greece university or institute
• No objection certificate from your current university or school, if applicable

Additional visa requirements for minors

All minors who are traveling to Greece for a short-term stay need to complete the following additional requirements during their visa application process:

• Birth certificate of the minor traveling to Greece
• Greece visa application form signed by both parents.
• Family court order if one of the parents has full custody over the minor
• Both parents should submit certified copies of their passport/ID
• Copies of the ID/passport if the minor is traveling with another person along with their valid ID and Greece visa
• Notarized copy of authorization provided by both parents

The application process for a Greek Schengen visa

All applicants who intend to travel to Greece for a short-term stay need to follow the below guidelines:

• Determine the type of visa applicable to the applicant as per their purpose and duration of their stay.
• Find the nearest Greece embassy or consulate where you need to file your application
• Completed an signed copy of the Greek visa application form
• Scheduling an interview
• Pay the visa fees
• Attend the visa interview in person at the Greece embassy or consulate.
• Wait for the status change of your visa application

Short-term visa processing timeline

All short-term Greek Schengen visas will take up to 15 calendar days to process your visa. The embassy or consulate's backlog can also increase the visa processing timeline. Ensure you apply to accommodate any delay with your visa processing timeline.

Greek short-term visa fees

Adult travelers pay 80 Euros per applicant. Minors between the age of 6-12 years pay 40 Euros per applicant. No visa fees are charged for kids under six years.

Extension of your Schengen visa in Greece

All travelers can look to extend their Greek Schengen visa by submitting a request to the Greece consulate or embassy. However, it is at the discretion of the Greece immigration officials to approve your extension. Extension of your Greece visa is approved only in genuine cases such as force majeure or humanitarian reasons.

Revoking your Greece visa

Your approved Greece visa can be revoked if the Greek immigration officials conclude that the circumstances or conditions under which your visa was issued are no longer valid. Any failure of the traveler to provide sufficient validation concerning their entry requirements may lead to annul or revoking your Greece visa.

Conclusion

Greece is an excellent European destination for spending a relaxing and refreshing holiday. Getting complete clarity and understanding of the Greek Schengen visa process for a hassle-free visa journey is essential. Take professional assistance wherever required to avoid any gaps during the visa process.