There are several types of visas for entering Greece, depending on the purpose of travel as well as the length of the stay. Foreign nationals who wish to enter the country will need to apply for this document according to their nationality and, if applicable, obtain a Greece Schengen Visa when their purpose of stay in the EU will extend to more than Greece.
The general requirements for obtaining one of the types of visas in Greece are to fill in the appropriate form as per the chosen occasion as well as provide the needed identification and/or supporting documentation.
Relocating to Greece involves a set of steps that must be duly followed by an interested immigrant. Obtaining a visa to enter Greece can be a preliminary step, however, it is not the only required one. Other conditions, such as obtaining a residence permit for long-term stays is mandatory.
Working with our team can be suitable for all foreign nationals who intend to come to the country and stay for various reasons, either for short or long periods of time. The actual visa application process takes place at a Greek embassy or consulate in the applicant’s country of origin, however, we are able to provide complete assistance during this process.
Our team of Greece immigration agents provides complete details to all interested foreign nationals who wish to come to the country to work or study as well as various other reasons. We also assist those who wish to apply for a residence permit in Greece. Our team underlines the fact that the residence permit is different from the visa and foreign nationals willing to remain in Greece for medium or long-term purposes (such as those related to employment or study, when enrollment in the courses is longer than the visa validity according to nationality) can reach out to our team with their specific questions.
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What are the types of visas in Greece?
Some of the most commonly used types of visas in Greece include the following:
- the tourist visa: for nationals from certain countries that wish to come to Greece to visit the numerous attractions heritage sites;
- business visa: for entrepreneurs or company owners who visit the country for business purposes; in this case, an invitation letter from a Greek company may be needed or a certificate for the business travel purpose (issued by the employer);
- medical visa: foreign nationals who come to Greece seeking medical treatment; supported by an appointment or doctor’s letter;
- cultural visa: used for participation in various cultural, sports, film or religious events;
- training and research: for individuals or scientists who come to Greece to attend courses or other events; this is not the same as an employment purpose visa and one of our immigration lawyers in Greece can provide more details.
These are examples of visas issued for short-term purposes. Individuals who are interested in studying or working in Greece for long periods of time, as those who are seeking family reunification, should apply for long-term visas for Greece. We can provide more details on these types of visas as well as other matters, such as obtaining a residence permit in Greece and, in time, becoming a long-term resident. Foreign nationals who have been lawfully living in the country for a minimum number of years can also apply for citizenship.
If obtaining citizenship in Greece through the minimum prescribed investment amount is not an option in your case, our team will give you more information about the route to apply for citizenship by naturalization, after a minimum lawful stay in the country of seven years. We can give you details about the documents you will need to submit, the application process, and the response time you can expect.
Our team of Greece immigration agents can provide complete information on extending these types of visas as well as the general process for this.
Applying for one of these types of visas for the purpose of moving to Greece is easier with our help. We can guide you throughout the application process depending on the type of visa you are applying for and will provide you with personalized information about the documents that you will be required to submit. Upon request, we can also offer representation in front of the Greek authorities.
Some of the types of visas described herein are also suitable for foreign nationals who dream of retiring to Greece. The country is one of the most attractive ones in Europe for pensioners, given its mild Mediterranean climate, good food, lifestyle and culture, as well as the option to acquire permanent residency when purchasing a property. Our team can give you more details about the requirements for retiring here.
What countries are required to obtain a visa?
Visa obligations in Greece do not apply in the same manner for all foreign nationals. The main differentiating criterion is nationality, based on which an individual may enter Greece with or without a visa. The current regulations applicable in the country are in line with the European Commission. We recommend getting in touch with our immigration lawyers in Greece if you have particular questions about the requirements according to nationality.
Visa-free entry in Greece is possible for many foreign nationals, such as those from Argentina, Bahamas, Colombia, Mexico, Singapore, Hong Kong or the Unites States of America and Canada. EU and EEA nationals can travel without a visa to Greece, however, certain restrictions do apply to nationals from Afghanistan, for example, as well as from Cuba or Egypt. In some cases, the visa-free regime for these regulated countries can apply only for diplomatic passports. Because there are differences in the visa regime for ordinary, diplomatic or service passports, we recommend that foreign nationals interested in traveling to Greece reach out to our agents prior to their trip.
An immigration lawyer in Greece from our team can provide detailed information on the visa obligation or exemption based on your nationality and the purpose of the visit. Please reach out to us if you have additional questions.
What is the general visa application process in Greece?
Foreign nationals who are required to apply for a type of visa in Greece should know that they must fill in a form that expressly states the purpose of the stay. This form is accompanied by documents according to the purpose of stay: certificate of admission for study or training purposes, invitation letter for cultural purposes, medical letter for seeking treatment at a Greece hospital or clinic, proof of business interests in the country as well as others, as may be required.
Apart from the documents that justify the travel purpose, applicants are also expected to provide identification documents as well as proof of accommodation and income (when expressly required).
Because the visa application process may differ according to the purpose of stay, we recommend that interested foreign nationals talk to one of our immigration lawyers in Greece.
Moving to Greece
While some foreign nationals are only interested in short-term visas in Greece others may be interested in moving to the country altogether. In this case, residence permits are mandatory. Foreign investors (depending on nationality) can also explore the option of gaining Greece citizenship by investment.
According to data released by the Migration Policy Institute, the estimated population in July 2018 was 10,761,523 individuals. The resident population in the country in numbers, according to a 2011 Population census, was divided in the following way:
- 9,904,286 individuals were Greek;
- 199,121 people were from EU countries;
- 530,244 people were from non-EU countries and 25,850 from Africa.
Individuals interested in moving to this country, irrespective of their country of origin, can reach out to our team of immigration lawyers in Greece. We can also assist those who are already residents under the law and wish to know more about the process for acquiring Greek citizenship. Contact us for complete information about the types of visas as well as the requirements to lawfully live in the country.
