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Visa and Passport

Greece: Visa and Passport requirements

Passports:

Passport required by all except:

1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Passports must be valid for the following durations:
(a) British and EU passports must be valid for length of intended stay. British passport holders may stay in Greece until the last day of the validity of their passports.

(b) Australian, Canadian, USA must be valid for at least three months beyond length of stay, which can be a maximum of three months.

Note: EU and EEA nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport note:

Greece is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.
Visas:

A visa is not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:

(a) nationals of EU countries for stays of up to 90 days (EU/EEA citizens may stay a further 3 months if seeking work).
(b) nationals of Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Romania and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.
Visa note:

(a) Greece refuses admission and transit to holders of travel documents issued by the area of Cyprus not controlled by the Government of Cyprus, and holders of UN laissez-passers.

From January 2011, no visa applications can be made by post.
Types and cost:

Schengen visa (airport transit visa and short-stay visa): €60 (£52). National visa (long-stay visa): €37.50 (£33).
Validity:

Registration certificates issued to visitors from EU countries who wish to stay for longer than 3 months are valid indefinitely. Visitors from the US can apply for temporary residence permits, valid from three to six months.
Transit:

Australian, Canadian, US and EU passport holders do not require transit visas.
Application to:

Travellers should apply for visas at the consular section of their nearest Greek Embassy.
Schengen visas:

Greece is currently part of the Schengen visa scheme.
Temporary residence:

EU nationals staying more than 90 days have to apply in person to the Aliens Department office (in Athens) or their local police station (in districts outside Athens) closest to their residence for a “Registration Certificate” (Veveoisi Engrafis). To obtain this, they need to show the passport they used when entering the country and provide a statement from their employer (if they are here for work), or a marriage or birth certificate (if they are here because of family ties).

Visitors from the US can apply for temporary residence permits, valid from three to six months. These are issued by the Aliens police office in the area of residency of the individual concerned, but only if the individual can show evidence that they have a compelling reason to prolong their stay in Greece.
Working days:

Three to 15, dependent upon nationality.
Sufficient funds:

Australian, Canadian, US and EU passport holders do not need to prove access to funds when entering Greece for tourism.
Entry documents:

Visitors from Australia, Canada and the US need to show a valid passport. For nationals from EU countries, a national identity card is sufficient.
Extension of stay:

Visitors hoping to extend their stay in Greece should go their embassy in Athens to request further details.
Entry with children:

Children must either have their own passport or be registered on the passport of one of their parents.
Entry restrictions:

Visitors can contact the passports office for more info

Non-EU passport holders can stay within the Schengen zone for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. After their 90-day stay, they cannot return to these countries for at least another 90 days.
Entry with pets:

Pets travelling to Greece from other EU countries need a microchip for identification, an EU Pet Passport, and stamp to prove they have been vaccinated against rabies (within between four weeks and one year of date of entry into Greece). Pets arriving from outside the EU need a health certificate completed by a vet in either Greek or English.

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