Greece Entry Restrictions in Response to Coronavirus

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, Greece, alongside with the rest of the EU and Schengen Area members imposed an EU-wide entry ban on third-country nationals in mid-March 2020.

The following 9 countries are exempted from the entry ban into Greece: Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Uruguay, Singapore, China*, UAE**. As of 11.11.2020, all people travelling to Greece from foreign countries will be required to show a negative molecular test result (PCR) for COVID-19, performed up to 72 hours before the entrance.

Before entering the country, all travellers must complete a new form called Passenger Locator Form.

All visitors will be subject to random tests upon arrival. Upon being tested, travellers can move to their destination. If the result positive, they will be contacted and placed on 14-day quarantine, with expenses covered by the Greek state.

Third country residents can also enter if they fall under any of the categories listed below:

  • Spouse/party to a civil partnership/minor child of EU or Schengen Area citizen or
  • Members of diplomatic/consular missions or international/European organizations or
  • Medical/nursing staff, researchers/professionals in the health sector on condition of their immediate inclusion in the Greek National Health System management.
  • Persons in an extreme emergency (essential business or imperative family reasons).
  • Persons transiting Greece.

General required documents for a Greece Visa Application:

  • Firstly, download the application form, fill it completely and with sincerity. You can also fill the Greece Schengen Visa application form electronically and then print a hard-copy.
  • 2 photos must be attached; the photo should be of passport format – a recent whole-face capture with a light background. Learn more about photo requirements and specifications for a Greece Visa.
  • Your passport and copies of your previous visas – valid for at least 3 months beyond return date – are required. Your passport must have at least two blank pages.
  • Travel medical insurance confirmation of minimum 30,000 € coverage within Greece and the entire Schengen area
  • A cover letter stating the purpose of visit to Greece and itinerary
  • Proof of civil status (marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, ration card if applicable)
  • Flight Itinerary with dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from Greece
  • Hotel Reservation for the whole duration of the intended stay in Greece. Find and Book Cheap Hotels in Greece!
  • Means of subsistence – Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay in Greece

UK residents, please read: How to Apply for a Greece Visa in the UK?

If employed:

  • Employment contract
  • Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
  • Leave approval letter from employer
  • Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary

If self-employed:

  • A copy of your business license
  • Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
  • Income Tax Return (ITR)

If a student:

If retired:

  • Pension statement of the latest 6 months

If applicable:

  • Regular income generated by property proof of the latest 6 months

*Note: The signed application form must be accompanied the rest of the above-mentioned mandatory documents and handed personally at the appropriate embassy/consulate or its representative in your home country.Apart from the general documentation required, accompanying should be other additional documents depending on the purpose of your Greek Visa application.

 

List of additional documents required for the most frequent purposes of Greece Visa Application:

Greece Tourist/Visitor Visa:

Greece Visa for Business Purposes:

  • Invitation letter from the Greek company you will be visiting and their detailed address accompanied with the dates of your visit
  • A certificate from your employer stating/allowing your business travel
  • If there were previous trade relations between the two companies, proof of such events must be provided
  • Business bank statement of the latest 6 months
  • Memorandum and Article of Association in original certified copy (registered with joint stock companies) Trade License (first issued and present renewal), Proprietorship/Partnership documents
  • Regarding the applicant’s expenses during stay in the Schengen zone, either the employer or the partner company must state coverage of expenses on the letter or invitation.

Greece Visa for Medical Purposes:

  • A local medical report
  • A medical attestation from the hospital or doctor in Greece, confirming the date of your appointment as well as your medical situation
  • Payment receipt of medical fees

Greece Visa for Cultural, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes:

  • Invitation letter from the above-mentioned authorities with details upon the nature of events or activities – purpose of visit , expense coverage
  • Names of the applicants (crew members)
  • Duration of stay
  • Travel itinerary

Greece Visa for Members of Official Delegations:

  • The official invitation copy
  • Identity of applicant
  • Purpose of journey (negotiations, meetings, event by intergovernmental organizations, consultations)
  • Duration of stay
  • Place of accommodation 

Greece Visa for Study, Training, Research, or other type of Internship Purposes:

  • An enrollment certificate allowing attendance of courses
  • Certificate of completion or courses attended
  • Financial sustenance 

Greece Visa For The Wife/Husband of a Greek citizen:

  • Proof of Greek citizenship (ID card or consular card or certification of Greek nationality or naturalization order)
  • Greek marriage certificate
  • Greek family record book

Greece Airport Transit Visa:

  • Visa or other type of entry permit in the transit country
  • Copy of your valid visa for your final destination 

Greece Visa for Under-Age Children:

  • Proof of parent’s regular income (work contract with specified monthly income or a bank statement or business license)
  • Notarized travel permission from parent (parental travel consent)
  • If one parent lives in another country – their notarized parental travel consent

*Note: When applying at the Greek embassy/consulate in home country, the guardian or parent should accompany their under-age children.

Temporary visa extension for foreigners in Greece

An extension to a Greece Schengen visa is only possible in exceptional cases where new facts and special reasons arise after entry in Greece.