Travel Visa For Greece
Are you planning to visit Greece ? You’ll need a Tourist Visa for Greece if you are a citizen of any country that requires a visa to enter Greece. To apply for Greece tourist visa, firstly engage the services of an expert Greece Visa Consultant to guide you through the process.
Your trip to Greece is planned and you want to spend as much time exploring the Greek islands as possible. But, you are getting worried because you know that without a tourist visa, how can you live on these islands long enough to enjoy them?
Greece is a beautiful country, and it’s easy to see why so many tourists visit the country each year. But before you can go on your next vacation in Greece, you’ll need a tourist visa. If you’re planning to visit Greece soon, here’s what you need to know about getting a Greek tourist visa.
What Is a Tourist Visa?
A tourist visa is an official document given by the Greek Embassy that allows you to travel to Greece for tourism purposes only. In other words, if you want to study or work in Greece (which requires more than just a tourist visa), then you’ll need something else—like an education or work permit.
Who Needs It?
Tourist visas are necessary for all visitors who wish not only to go sightseeing but also experience Greece’s culture, food, and people. If all you want is a vacation where you lounge around on beaches and drink cocktails all day long, then this isn’t the type of visa for you. However, if you’d like to explore Greek culture or spend time with locals without having to pay for expensive guided tours or activities like museums and concerts every day, then this visa might be what you’re looking for!
General Requirements to Apply for Greece Visa
An overview of Greek touristic visa requirements and application procedures are explained for specific categories below. In the main, applicant must submit their application comprising of the requested document file to the VFS Global Visa Application Center, Consular Office of the Greek Embassy. Please keep in mind that the required documents may differ depending on the term of your stay, hence the type of the visa you apply. Short-term stays are included in the category C of Schengen visa rules.
Greece Visa Applications
- Online Schengen Visa Application form with 2 photos attached: https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/download-schengen-visa-application-form/
- Your passport with minimum two blank pages and previous visas’ copies – valid for minimum 3 months.
- Confirmed travel medical insurance of at least 30,000 € scope of guarantee in Greece and the rest of the Schengen area.
- A cover letter which states the travel plan and aim of visit to Greece.
- Proof of civil status (ration card if applicable, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, marriage certificate, etc.)
- Flight travel guidebook with flight numbers and dates stating your entry and exit from Greece.
- Hotel booking for the time period you are planning to stay in Greece.
- Proof of adequate fiscal space for your intended time in Greece.
Moreover, there are specific documents to attach to your application document file depending on your status of employment.
If employed:
- Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
- Employment contract
- Income Tax Return form or Certificate of Income Tac deducted at the source of salary
- Leave of approval letter from employer
If self-employed:
- Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
- A copy of your business license
- Income Tax Return
If a student:
- Proof of enrolment
- No-objection certificate from school or university
If retired:
- Retirement statement of the latest 6 months
If applicable:
- Regular statement of the latest 6 months
For medical mobility:
- Fee of 225€ + 2.4% additional charges
- Copy of passport or identity card certified by Greek Official Embassies
- An official copy of High School diploma
- A certified copy of the degree to be recognised
- An official transcript
- Dissertation/thesis
*Note: The application form should be accompanied the compulsory documents and granted individually at the suited embassy/consulate.
*Note: Other extra documents depending upon the purpose of your Greek Visa application may be required.
What is visa sponsorship for Greece?
If applicable sponsor is required to demonstrate the main motive of your visit to Greece and support your application procedure.
This term is basically used for the ones who cover all the expenses for people who do not have an income certificate to pay expenses during travel abroad. Most of the countries, particularly Schengen members demand information during visa applications or students who do not have income.
Who Can Be a Visa Sponsor?
One of your first degree relatives (mother, father, wife, husband, children…) can be visa sponsors. In cases where there is not a first-degree relative, your legal guardian can be sponsor with stated documents.
Sponsor Documents for Schengen Visa
- Sponsor’s business documents
- An original-signed letter written by the sponsor
- Sponsor’s signatory circulars
- Documents which states financial status
- A sample of the sponsor’s current certificate or identity register copy
Greece Visa Rules
- Visa applicants shall individually apply for their visa submissions in due time, with all the required documents, at VFS Global Visa Application Center or Consular Office of the Greek Embassy.
- Your passport should have minimum two blank pages and it should not be older than 10 years.
- It is usually necessary to have a passport which is valid for at least 3 months after the expected date of exit from the Schengen area.
Greece Visa Fees
You can pay visa fee in the stated embassy/consulate via hard cash, cash card or credit card.
From March 2020 on, you can find different fees below for Greece Schengen visas. However, please keep in mind that under some specific conditions, some applicants may be exempt from visa fees or benefit from reduced fee prices.
| Adult | 80€ |
| Child between 6-12 years | 40€ |
| Child younger than 6 years of age | Free |
| Diplomatic, official or service passport holders | Free |
| Family member of EU/EEA national | Free |
| Pupils, students and teachers who company on a school trip | Free |
| Researchers traveling for scientific purposes | Free |
| Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia Citizens | 35€ |
Fees stated above are constant and cannot be changed until the Schengen member countries decide else altogether.
NOTE: This article was prepared in March 2020. Please check up-to-date information published by official sources.
Conclusion
Is it better to get a Tourist Visa for Greece or a Schengen Visa? In our next article, we will be going over the details of how someone can enter Greece and travel from country to country within the Schengen area. For example, such as entering Greece on a Tourist Visa, then leaving the country on Train to another country in the Schengen area and not returning back to Greece. In this way visa holders can climb as many European mountains as they want b/c they aren’t in the country illegally. Also, I would like to thank you both for the opportunity you have given me to share my knowledge with your readers.