Documents to travel to Greece

Since ancient times, the Hellenic Republic, better known as Greece, has been a major tourist hotspot in Europe. Its universally known culture and history attract millions of visitors each year. This country currently has 18 monuments declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, including:

Special mention deserves Greek gastronomy, very popular in Europe and the rest of the world. Some dishes such as Musaca and Gyros, are among the greatest delights of tourists. So, there are plenty of reasons to travel to this charming country. But we must warn you of one thing: there is so much to see and do, that one visit will not be enough.

Requirements to enter Greece

Before preparing your luggage, you have to check what documentation the Greek authorities will require when you arrive in their territory. Certainly, these elements could vary according to your nationality, but in general terms, it is advisable that you meet the requirements mentioned below:

• Passport. It must be in force and said validity must extend, at least, during the three months following your departure from the European Union.
• Tourist visa. If it corresponds in case of your nationality and that it is in force.
• Transportation ticket. It is essential that the return date be verified or, failing that, the continuity of the tourist circuit.
• Proof of accommodation. Reservations in a lodging establishment are valid. Letters of invitation signed by a relative or friend who is a national of Greece or a foreigner residing in the country, specifying their personal data, address, proof of economic solvency and legal status, will also be accepted.
• Demonstrative documents of economic solvency. Bank statements, recent account statements, the availability of cash and other suitable means to verify that you have sufficient funds to subsist during your stay are accepted.

Keep in mind that the main interest of the immigration authorities is to ensure that those who enter Greece are people who do not represent a risk to national security. By virtue of this, they could interview you or require additional documents that give them certainty of the intentions of your trip.

How to apply for a tourist visa to travel to Greece?

One of the requirements that you may need when traveling to Greece is the tourist visa. Since it is a document that is not required of all foreigners, the first thing you should do is verify whether or not you are entitled to obtain it. You can do so by going to the website of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.mfa.gr/en/visas/visas-for-foreigners-traveling-to-greece/countries-requiring-or-not-requiring-visa.html

Another aspect that should be mentioned is that the Hellenic Republic is one of the 26 European States that appear as members of the Schengen Area. Therefore, if you are required to process a visa to enter Greece, you have to follow the rules of that area, according to which you must have the following elements when making your application:

• Passport that has been issued within the previous 10 years and that is valid for at least three months after leaving the country.
• Fill out the visa application form for the Schengen Area, available here: https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/system/files/2020-02/schengen_visa_application_form_en.pdf
• A recent photograph that meets the standards set forth in the following document: https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/system/files/2016-12/icao_photograph_guidelines_en.pdf
• The payment of 80 EUR for processing fees. This tax will be EUR 40 in the case of children under 12 years of age.
• Travel medical insurance that includes medical emergency services, hospitalization and repatriation. It must be valid in the Schengen Area and offer a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000.
• Documentation that demonstrates the purposes of the trip.

The specific list of requirements must be consulted on the official website of the Greek consulate that works in your country. It is also possible that additional documentation is required to verify the veracity of the information provided, for which said authority could request a personal interview.

Keys about the new ETIAS Permit

One of the migratory innovations that the States that make up the Schengen Area will apply is the ETIAS Authorization. Said document is a permit that, for now, benefits citizens of 60 nations, who will be able to travel to any of the countries that make up the aforementioned zone without processing an ordinary European visa.

Said permit is aimed at citizens who are exempt from applying for a Schengen visa and is a security measure designed to control who travels through the countries that make up the zone. In view of this, a system will be developed that will gather data from Interpol and Europol, in order to minimize threats as much as possible.

This permit has not yet entered into force, it is expected that it will begin to be required at the end of 2024. However, the virtual platform is already available, in which those interested can consult which are the nations whose citizens will be able to opt for said authorization. and the requirements that must be met for it. Check it out by going to: https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/en/etias/

Income restrictions established due to COVID-19

The Hellenic Republic kept its borders closed from the start of the pandemic until May 14, 2024. Since then, it has been developing a biosecurity strategy adapted to the progress made in the fight against COVID-19 and that allows Travelers can move around Greece without exposing themselves to contagion or posing a risk to the country. Currently, the protocol applied to tourists includes compliance with the following requirements:

We recommend you check with the transport companies what are the requirements that you must meet on the date of your trip. Similarly, you can learn about the news on the following website developed by the Greek government: https://travel.gov.gr/#/