How to Enter Greece
Do I need a passport or visa to enter?
Greece is a party to the Schengen Agreement. As such, U.S. Citizens may enter Greece for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. Stiff fines may be imposed for overstaying the 90-day period. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of your stay. You may also need to demonstrate at the port of entry (or during the visa interview if you are applying for a visa) that you have sufficient funds for your trip and that you have a return airline ticket. For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our Schengen fact sheet. For other entry requirements, travelers should contact the Embassy of Greece at 2221 Massachusetts Avenue NW,Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 939-1300, or the Greek Consulate in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Tampa, New York, or San Francisco.If you are a U.S. citizen born in the Republic of Macedonia, please note that per an August 2012 directive Greek Immigration Officers at all ports of entry (land, air and sea) will not place entry stamps in passports listing the traveler’s place of birth as Macedonia or the Republic of Macedonia butshould recognize the validity of the travel document. These travelers are required to complete a short form on which the entry stamp will be placed and which the traveler should keep with their passport for the duration of their stay in Greece and present upon departure. In July 2013 the Embassy was informed of several deportations resulting from the inconsistent application of the above directive. Any traveler who is denied entry into Greece should request to be provided with the appropriate documentation from Greek authorities, including an official document titled “Refusal of Entry at the Border” (issued in English and Greek) stating the reason that they were denied entry.
Special Travel Circumstances in Greece
Greek customs authorities have strict regulations concerning the export from Greece of antiquities, including rocks from archaeological sites. Penalties range from large fines to prison terms. You should ensure that you get a receipt for any item that you buy.
In addition to being subject to all Greek laws affecting U.S. citizens, dual nationals may also be subject to other laws that impose special obligations on Greek citizens. Greek males between the ages of 20 and 45 are required to perform military service; this applies to any individual whom the Greek authorities consider to be Greek citizen, regardless of whether the individual considers himself Greek, has a foreign citizenship and passport, or was born or lives outside of Greece. If remaining in Greece for more than the 90-day period permitted for tourism or business, men of Greek descent may be prevented from leaving Greece until they complete their military obligations. Generally, obligatory, non-voluntary military service in Greece will not affect U.S. citizenship. Specific questions on this subject should be addressed to the citizenship section of the U.S. Embassy in Athens. For additional information, see our information on Citizenship and Nationality. For additional information regarding military service requirements, contact the nearest Greek embassy or consulate as listed above.
If you plan to use public transportation, be sure to buy the appropriate ticket and to validate it correctly, mindful that service to the airport is more expensive than other bus and Metro services, and that ticket inspectors circulate among passengers on trains and buses, and in stations, assuring compliance with ticketing regulations. Currently, the fine for passengers without tickets or with the wrong ticket is 60 times the basic fare, or 84 Euros. If the fine is paid on the spot or within 10 days of the issuance of the ticket, the amount paid is reduced to 50%. The Government of Greece does not permit the photographing of military installations; violators are subject to arrest.
Disaster Preparedness: Greece often experiences forest fires during the dry summer months. Travelers should be particularly mindful of the risk of fires, taking care not to spark one inadvertently through carelessness. The Government of Greece has also produced an earthquake-safety pamphlet for tourists and visitors. Greece experiences frequent seismic activity; tremors are common and serious earthquakes have occurred.
Disclaimer
You are responsible for ensuring that you meet and comply with foreign entry requirements, health requirements and that you possess the appropriate travel documents. Information provided is subject to change without notice. One should confirm content prior to traveling from other reliable sources. Information published on this website may contain errors. You travel at your own risk and no warranties or guarantees are provided by us.