TOURIST VISAS

Greece applies the new Visa Code which was valid since the 5th April 2010. This regulation establishes the procedures and conditions for issuing visas, for transit through or intended stays in the territory of the Member States of the Schengen area, not exceeding three months in any six-month period.

REQUIREMENTS

1) Application: This can be collected at the General Consulate of Greece in Johannesburg

2) Passport: Must be valid for a period of at least 3 months beyond the applicant’s last day of stay in the Schengen States. Please ensure that the passport has 2 blank pages in order to affix the visa.

3) Two recent passport sized photographs in colour.

4) Residence permit in South Africa: must be valid for at least 3 months after the return of the applicant from a Schengen State.

5) Return air-ticket.

6) Contract of Employment, or recent confirmation of employment.

7) Hotel confirmation or invitation letter from the person or company that will accommodate the applicant in Greece. If the invitation is by a person, the certified signature of the person who is inviting the applicant, as well as a certified copy of their Greek passport has to be supplied. To be valid, they must have been certified either by the Greek police or by K.E.P. (Public Service Centres). If the invitation is by a company, it must also include the company’s tax registration number (A.F.M.).

8) Bank statements - last 3 months, proving that the applicant has sufficient funds for his/her stay in the Schengen States (50 Euro per day).

9) Travel insurance: with a minimum cover of 30 000 Euros. The insurance must cover medical attention, emergency medical treatment and repatriation for medical reasons and must be valid for all the Schengen States and for the full stay of the applicant in the Schengen States plus one extra day.

NOTE: All applicants should apply for a Shengen visa not prior to three (3) months and not later than two (2) weeks before departure.

In addition to the above documentation the Schengen States Consular Offices reserve the right to request further documentation should it be deemed necessary. In cases of refusal, the applicant will be provided with a written confirmation of the reason leading to refusal. Refusal may be contested, at the applicant’s discretion.

The possession of a Schengen visa is only one of the prerequisites for entry into the territory of the Schengen state. Should the Schengen state’s border authority refuse entry, no claim towards reimbursement of the visa can be submitted. The border police at your Schengen destination may request the presentation of sufficient funds, a letter of invitation, hotel reservation and proof of medical insurance. Failure to present the said funds/documents may result in entry being refused. 

A personal interview with the applicant may be requested at any time.

SPOUSES OF GREEK, EU AND SWISS CITIZENS

Applicants are excluded from the above requirements provided they supply, together with their application:

● the passports of both spouses

● their marriage certificates

● the air-ticket

CITIZENS UNDER THE AGE OF 18

In the event where the applicant is a minor, both parents must appear in person and sign a parental consent form which must be certified by the General Consulate of Greece or any other public Greek authority. Marriage certificate must be supplied or proof of recognition of the minor out of wedlock, as well as a full unabridged birth certificate for the minor and the residence permit of the two parents and the minor. If the parents are divorced and there is no consent from one of the parents that has not appeared at the Greek Consulate then a court order needs to be supplied that gives guardianship to the parent that appears at the Greek Consulate.

VISA COSTS (remains the same for one, two or multiple entries)

60 Euros

Gratis : 1. Minors up to 6 years of age, 2. Spouses / kids (under 21) of the Greek, EU and Swiss citizens, 3. Researchers from third countries travelling for the purpose of carrying out scientific research, 4. School pupils, students, post graduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake trips for the purpose of study or educational training, 5. Representatives of non-profit organizations aged 25 years or less participating in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events organized by non-profit organizations.

35 Euros : 1. Minors between 6-12 years of age, 2. Citizens of Russia, Ukraine, the Western Balkan region and Georgia.