US citizens do not require a visa to visit Greece on a short-term basis for up to 90 days within 180 days, either on a tourism basis, for business reasons, or for family reasons. All you require is a valid US passport. As US travelers, we should know the entry requirements once we book our flight. Greece belongs to the Schengen Area and adheres to certain regulations regarding short-term and long-term stays.
This guide will demonstrate these facts you need to know about, including the 90-day visa-free rule, the long-stay visa process, and the future ETIAS system up until 2025.
Method 1: Short Stay (Tourism or Business Under 90 Days)
Most of the citizens in the United States travel to Greece to participate in tourism, family holidays, or even short business assignments. Hearing less than 90 days, you should then know the following.
Check the 90-Day Rule
- As a US citizen you can visit Greece visa free within 180 days and in a maximum of 90 days.
- This means that you must leave Greece or any other country within the Schengen area after 90 days and wait until the 180-day limit resumes to bring you back.
- I highly suggest that you follow your entry and exit dates. Even a few days may result in fines or a ban when they are overstayed.
Valid Passport Requirement
- A US passport that is valid for at least 3 months after you intend to leave Greece should be presented.
- I recommend that at least 6 months of validity should be maintained to prevent any problem at border checks.
- Ensure that you leave your passport with two blank pages to stamp out and in.
No Visa Needed
- When you are spending 90 days or less, you do not need to seek a visa.
- All that is required is that you bring a valid US passport to the airport or border control when coming into Greece.
- Border officers will require evidence of your flight back home, hotel accommodation, or adequate finances to sustain your stay.
This is the easiest way to visit Greece if your plan is short-term. You don’t need to go through any complicated process; just be sure to respect the 90-day rule.
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Method 2: Long Stay (Over 90 Days)
The regulations differ in case you intend to spend over 90 days in Greece. This entails whether you wish to study, work, retire, or live in Greece on a long-term basis.
Apply for a National Visa
- To stay more than 90 days, you must get a Greek National Visa (Type D Visa).
- You are allowed to spend more than 3 months in Greece on this visa to work, study, research, or reunite with your family.
- Every reason has its requirements, and therefore, you should be clear about why you want to stay longer.
Submit Application at the Greek Consulate
- Once you have entered Greece as a tourist, you cannot apply for a long-stay visa. Before traveling, their application is required.
- When you are a citizen of the United States, you should send your application to the Greek Consulate or Embassy in the United States.
- The general documents needed are:
- Duly filled visa application form.
- Valid US passport
- Passport-size photos
- The evidence of purpose (a university acceptance vest, work contract, or marriage certificate)
- Proof of financial means
- Health insurance coverage for your stay
I would strongly suggest that one has an appointment beforehand, because consulates can be slow in handling applications.
Receive Residence Permit
- After entering Greece on a national visa, you have to apply to get a residence permit within the first 30 days.
- The residence permit gives you the legal right to reside in Greece throughout your studies, employment, or any other long-term coverage.
- You are going to apply at the local immigration office in Greece, and the permit has to be renewed based on your condition.
This is more improving than permanent residence, but it is needed when one decides to reside in Greece for several months or years.
Method 3: Upcoming ETIAS (Starting 2025)
The new system will apply to US citizens and other visa-free travelers to Greece and the rest of the Schengen Area as of 2025. This system is called ETIAS.
The ETIAS Requirement
- ETIAS is expanded to be the European Travel Information and Authorization System.
- It is not a visa, and instead, it is a travel authorization that you need to apply for to visit Greece.
- Although you will not require a visa when you have to spend only a limited amount of time, ETIAS will be obligatory.
Apply Online
- ETIAS application will be online and thus convenient to you.
- You will need:
- Valid US passport
- Email address
- Small fee in debit or credit card (it will cost approximately €7)
- These application forms will require personal information, a history of travel, and data about security.
Receive Approval
- Approving most of the applications will take less than a few minutes, although it can take up to 96 hours.
- Your ETIAS will subsequently (upon approval) be attached electronically to your passport.
- It will last 3 years or until you expire your passport, whichever comes first.
- No visa is necessary with ETIAS, and you can reside in Greece as much to 90 days in 180 days.
It is better to apply to ETIAS several weeks prior to your voyage, and thus, there will be no problems at the last minute.
FAQs
Are US citizens required to obtain a visa?
U.S. citizens do not require a visa for less than 90 days; however, ETIAS will apply as of 2025.
Are the citizens of Greece required to fill out a visa to travel to the US?
Yes, short visits require an ESTA, and long stays at a visa.
Do you need a visa for Greece?
It requires nationality- in many countries, you are visa-free up to 90 days; some countries require a Schengen visa.
Is there an e-visa for Greece?
There is no direct e-visa, yet ETIAS will be necessary since 2025.
Read Also: How to Apply for an Italy Work Permit (Decreto Flussi 2025)
Final Words
In the case of US citizens, traveling to Greece is easy- you do not require a visa when you are going to make a short visit that does not exceed 90 days. However, when you intend to spend more time, you should apply for a Greek national visa. From 2025, the new ETIAS travel authorization can be used to also become mandatory in case of short-term visits, and always make sure you can apply online before travelling.
