To visit Greece, you need certain travel documents. That’s why we have decided to write the guide Travel documents for Greece. We hope you will find it helpful.
Necessary Travel Documents for the EU and Schengen Countries
Firstly, we will dedicate this to the European Union, which Greece is part of. So, what document do you need to enter the EU?
Firstly, as an EU national, you can travel freely within the 27 EU member countries and the Schengen Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) with a valid passport or ID card. So you need to ensure your travel document is valid on the day of travel. Furthermore, children also need their passports or ID cards. If traveling with non-EU family members, check the specific rules for them.
You generally don’t need to show your passport when crossing internal Schengen borders, but countries can temporarily impose border controls for public safety reasons. During these checks, a valid passport or ID is required.
More importantly, If you lack the necessary travel documents, authorities may deny you entry but must give you a chance to obtain them or prove your EU citizenship.
You might encounter police checks at internal borders, including airports and train stations, and must carry identification. Driving licenses and bank cards are not valid as travel documents, and not having the required documents can lead to penalties.
In rare cases, entry may be denied for “public policy, public security, or public health” reasons. Authorities must provide a written explanation, including grounds for the decision and how to appeal.
What should you check before traveling to Greece?
- Check the entry requirements (for example, passport validity) and any other restrictions that might apply in the country you are traveling to and when re-entering your home country.
- Children and minors need their travel documents and, where necessary, a visa.
- Check the latest travel advice (provided by national authorities) for the country you are traveling to.
If you re-enter an EU or Schengen country from abroad, your travel document must be valid on the day you travel.
Note: You can find more information about what travel documents you need for Greece on Your Europe site and in the Hellenistic Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Necessary Travel documents for Greece:
- ID card for all travelers from the Schengen Agreement area. So, you may use your national ID to enter the country and stay for three months. Furthermore, you don’t necessarily need a passport, although you may need it in various other transactions, including currency exchange, shopping, etc.
- Visa—if you live in a country that is not a member of the Schengen Agreement. Additionally, we’d like to inform you that if you travel with a Visa, ensure you have suitable insurance coverage for emergency medical or other needs.
- Passport – If your country of origin is one of the following non-EU countries, your passport allows you to visit Greece and stay in the country for up to three months (90 days) within six months: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Vatican, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, USA, Uruguay, Venezuela.
- Animals’ documents –
Animals (pets) require a valid health certificate to enter the country. To learn about the credentials required for an animal, kindly contact your vet and the Greek Embassy in your country.
Find out more on the official webpage of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
IATA travel center
Click on the link below and you will find out what travel and health documents do you need on your journey.