Greece · Tourist Visa
Tourist and visitor visa requirements, visa-free entry, duration, and application steps.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Greece is in the Schengen Area, so many nationalities visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Nationals who do need a visa apply for a Schengen short-stay visa at a Greek consulate. Tourist stays do not permit work or long-term residence.
Greece is in the Schengen Area; many nationalities visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, while others need a Schengen visa from a Greek consulate.
- Schengen rules allow many visitors 90 days in any 180-day period.
- Nationals needing a visa apply for a Schengen short-stay visa at a Greek consulate.
- Tourist stays do not permit work or long-term residence.
- The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) has operated at Schengen external borders since 10 April 2026: non-EU visitors are registered biometrically on entry and exit instead of having passports stamped.
- 1
Check whether you need a visa
Many nationalities are visa-free for short stays. If yours is not, you apply for a Schengen short-stay visa at a Greek consulate.
- 2
Apply at a Greek consulate
Apply at the Greek consulate covering your place of residence, or its authorised service provider, and book the appointment ahead of peak season.
- 3
Prepare the standard Schengen file
Typically: application form, passport, photos, itinerary, accommodation, proof of funds and Schengen-compliant travel medical insurance.
- 4
Plan for island travel if relevant
Greece is a Schengen state, so internal travel between the mainland and the islands is domestic; carry photo ID and keep your entry stamp or record safe.
- 5
Count your 90/180 days correctly
The limit is a rolling calculation across all Schengen countries combined, not per country. Track entries and exits across the whole area.
- Visa requirement checked for your nationality
- Greek consulate for your residence identified
- Appointment booked ahead of peak season
- Itinerary, accommodation and funds documented
- Schengen-compliant travel medical insurance held
- Passport valid per Schengen rules
- 90/180 day count tracked across all Schengen states
- Ministry of Migration and Asylum
Ministry of Migration and Asylum — entry and stay (Schengen visas are issued by consulates).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Greece?
Many nationalities do not, and can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period under Schengen rules. If your nationality is not visa-exempt, you apply for a Schengen short-stay visa at a Greek consulate before travelling.
Does travel between Greek islands affect my Schengen days?
No. Greece is a single Schengen state, so moving between the mainland and its islands is domestic travel and does not reset or add to your 90/180 count. Only entries to and exits from the Schengen Area matter.
Can I work or settle on a tourist stay?
No. Tourist stays permit neither work nor long-term residence. Living or working in Greece requires a separate national visa and residence permit applied for through the proper route.
Government portals
- Ministry of Migration and Asylum — Residence permits for non-EU nationals, including the Golden Visa and digital-nomad routes.
- Ministry of National Economy and Finance — Tax policy, the AFM tax number, and the budget framework.
- GEMI Business Portal — The General Commercial Registry — company formation and public company records.
- e-EFKA — Social Security — Social-security registration, contributions for employees and the self-employed, and pensions.