Greece Schengen Visa Application Support UK

Greece Schengen Visa – Essential Travel Guide and Requirements

Planning a trip to Greece? A Schengen visa opens up Greece and 28 other European countries for travelers. Here’s a concise guide to help you understand the process and requirements.

Why Visit Greece?

Greece is known for its ancient ruins, beautiful islands, and vibrant culture:

Tourism: Explore the historical sites of Athens (opens in new tab), the stunning beaches of Santorini (opens in new tab), and the rich culture of Crete (opens in new tab).
Business: Greece has a growing tourism industry and is expanding in sectors such as shipping, agriculture, and energy, with business centers in Athens and Thessaloniki.

Greece Schengen Visa Requirements

To apply for a Greece Schengen Visa, you’ll need:

Visa Application Form: Applications are submitted through Global Visa Center World (GVCW). Complete and sign all sections of the official form. You can start the application online at the Greece Schengen Visa Application Portal (opens in new tab).
Photograph: A recent, passport-size photo in color with a white background. The photograph must meet the Schengen visa photo requirements (opens in new tab).
Passport:

Your passport or travel document must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you plan to leave the Schengen area.
It must have at least 2 blank visa pages.
It must have been issued within the last 10 years.

Copy of the Passport:

Photocopy of the bio-page of the passport.
If the signature is not on the bio-page, provide a photocopy of the signature page.
Copies of previous Schengen visas issued in the last three years, including entry/exit stamps.

Proof of UK Residence: Printed proof of immigration status with a share code (available from GOV.UK (opens in new tab)).

Proof that you have at least one month of residency in the UK remaining after your planned exit from the Schengen area.

Proof of Current Occupation:

Employees:
Employment letter (not older than 90 days) with the company’s original stamp and signature, addressed to the Mission, specifying date of recruitment and position.
Last three months’ pay slips.
Self-Employed:
Last tax return form.
Self-employment letter (original, no older than 90 days), confirming self-employment, signed and issued by the relevant authority (accountant, solicitor, bank manager, or Companies House certificate with proof of connection if necessary).
Unemployed/Retired/Receiving Benefits:
Original letter (not older than 30 days) from the local Job Centre or Pension service.
Students/Pupils:
Original letter (not older than 30 days) from school/college/university, addressed to the Mission, confirming attendance.

Proof of Sufficient Funds for Duration of Stay:

Personal bank statements: Applicant’s U.K. personal current account bank statement covering the last three months, showing at least 90 days of transactions with the applicant’s name (account where salary is deposited). The closing balance should be no older than 30 days from the application date. Minimum balance: £40.00 per day of stay in the Schengen Area.
Additional Statements: Credit card statements, business, or savings account statements can be submitted additionally. If the applicant’s name is not on a business account, a letter from the Home Office, accountant, or bank manager confirming signing authority is required.
If Sponsored (by an immediate family member):
Sponsor’s passport (original to be seen and copy). If the signature is not on the bio-page, a photocopy of the signature page is also required.
Proof of relationship (e.g., marriage or birth certificate) – original and certified translation if not in English or Greek.
Sponsorship letter signed by the sponsor with clear travel dates.
Sponsor’s U.K. bank statements (last three months) showing salary deposits.
Sponsor’s proof of employment (employment letter no older than 90 days) and recent pay slips (last three months).
If self-employed: Sponsor’s last tax return form or self-employment confirmation letter (original, no older than 90 days), signed and obtained from a relevant authority (accountant, solicitor, bank manager, or Companies House certificate with proof of connection if not named directly).

Confirmed Round-Trip Travel Ticket:

Full itinerary covering the entire stay, detailing travel dates, destinations, and booking references for each destination.
Return travel tickets must show entry and exit points, clearly stating the applicant’s name. Tickets must be fully paid, with no outstanding balance, and provided in English if issued by travel agents.
If traveling by car:
Driver’s license (both sides), car registration, insurance copy, and ferry/Eurotunnel tickets with applicant’s name and car registration.
If traveling by yacht:
Detailed signed itinerary by the skipper, skipper’s passport and license, yacht registration, and entry mooring documents in Greece.

Proof of Accommodation:

Hotel/holiday home reservation: Must include the applicant’s name, arrival and departure dates, address, and contact details.
If traveling with another person, provide a joint travel cover letter signed and dated by the person on the reservation, along with their passport/ID copy and signature page.
If visiting multiple Schengen countries, provide proof of accommodation in each country.
Cruise/Yacht:
For cruises, provide a full itinerary with passenger details and payment proof.
For yachts, include a letter from the sailing company/skipper with a daily itinerary, yacht registration, and the skipper’s passport copy.

Travel Health Insurance: Must show the applicant’s name, have coverage of at least €30,000, be valid in all Schengen countries, and cover the entire period of intended stay in the Schengen area. The insurance must be obtained from a company based in the United Kingdom or a Member State.

Proof of Business Invitation (for business trips):

Invitation Letter: An official letter from the inviting company in Greece, on company letterhead, stamped, and signed. The letter must contain:
Full address and contact details of the inviting company.
Name and position of the representative signing the letter.
Purpose and duration of the trip, identity of the invited applicant.
If accommodation is booked by the inviting company, it should be clearly stated, mentioning the full address and contact details of the hotel and the duration of stay.
Additional Documents: Any documents proving trade relations or work purposes, such as trade contracts, work agreements, or entry tickets/registration for fairs or congresses.

Particular Documents for Minors (Under 18):

If the minor is traveling with both parents:
Application form completed and originally signed by both parents.
Both parents’ passports (original to be seen and copy). If the signature is not on the bio-page, provide a photocopy of the signature page.
Full unabridged birth certificate (original to be seen and copy), showing both parents’ names. If not in English or Greek, it must be translated by a certified translator in the UK.
Parental Consent Form: Duly signed by both parents.
Both parents’ current/valid Schengen visa photocopies (if applicable).
If the minor is traveling with only one parent:
Application form completed and originally signed by both parents.
Both parents’ passports (original to be seen and copy). If the signature is not on the bio-page, provide a photocopy of the signature page.
Full unabridged birth certificate (original to be seen and copy), showing both parents’ names. If not in English or Greek, it must be translated by a certified translator in the UK.
Parental Consent Form: Certified by a public authority/Notary/Solicitor in the UK.
Both parents’ current/valid Schengen visa photocopies (if applicable).
If one parent lives abroad, a certified passport copy of the non-traveling parent must be stamped and certified by the Greek Embassy in their country (must be recent, within 30 days of application).
Court documents or death certificate must be submitted if only one parent has sole custody or in case of one parent’s death (original and copies).

When to Apply for a Greece Schengen Visa

Submit your application at least 15 days before your intended travel date and no earlier than 6 months before departure. Early application helps avoid delays and ensures sufficient time for processing.

Greece Visa Processing Time

Note: Visa applications may take up to 15 calendar days to process. For certain nationalities subject to prior consultation (PDF) (opens in new tab) the visa application needs consultation from the other Schengen countries and therefore the minimum processing time takes 3 weeks. Some applications may require further processing, which could take up to 45 days. Applicants are advised to allow sufficient time between the appointment date and travel date to ensure the Mission can process the application. No guarantees can be given on the application’s return date, as delays may occur.

Types of Visas for Visiting Greece

The type of visa you need depends on the purpose of your trip:

Short-Stay Visa (Type C):

Suitable for tourism and business visits, this common Schengen visa allows travel to Greece and across all 29 Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period from entry into the Schengen zone.

Greece Schengen Visa Fees

A Schengen visa to Greece comes with standard fees, as these are uniform across Schengen countries:

Consulate Fee: €90 for adults.
Children (Aged 6–11): €45.
Children Under 6: Free.
Visa Center Fee: £25.5.
Premium Lounge Fee: £75.

Please note that these fees are subject to change, and it’s advisable to confirm the current rates before applying.