Visiting Greece
Greece, islands included, is part of the Schengen area and uses the euro. Days you spend there count towards your Schengen total.
What you need, by passport
- US passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- UK passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- Irish passportNo visa or time limit as an EU citizenCleared
- Canadian passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- Australian passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- New Zealand passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
Quick answers
Do I need a visa to visit Greece?
Not for a short visit on a US, UK, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passport. You can stay up to 90 days in any 180 across the whole Schengen area. Irish citizens can live and work there with no time limit.
Is Greece in the Schengen area?
Yes, since 1 January 2000. Time you spend in Greece counts towards your 90 days in any 180, together with every other Schengen country.
Do I need ETIAS for Greece?
Not yet. When it starts, you'll need to apply online for ETIAS before you travel. It will cost €20 (free if you're under 18 or over 70) and last 3 years or until your passport expires. There's no start date yet: the EU says it will announce it several months ahead. Until then, don't pay any website for it.
How long does my passport need to be valid for Greece?
Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive, and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave the Schengen area.
Good to know in Greece
Climate resilience fee. Hotels, rented rooms and holiday lets charge a climate resilience fee for each room, per night. The amount depends on the type of place and its star rating, and it's higher in the summer season. Expect it on your bill before you leave.
Cruise passenger fee. Since 2025 Greece has charged a fee for each cruise passenger who goes ashore at a Greek port. Check whether your cruise fare already includes it.
Mount Athos: men only. Only men may visit Mount Athos, and boys under 18 only with their father. You need a permit (diamonitirion) from the Pilgrims' Bureau, which gives just 10 a day to non-Orthodox visitors, so book months ahead. It costs €30, or €10 for students.
Checked 26 October 2026 against European Union, European Commission, Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), Greece, Hellenic Ministry of National Economy and Finance and Mount Athos Center.
See the 20 official sources
- What is ETIAS (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- What you need to apply (ETIAS) (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- ETIAS frequently asked questions (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- ETIAS timeline explained (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- Who should apply (ETIAS) (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- How does the EES work? (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- What is the EES? (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- FAQs about EES (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- Smart Borders (European Commission (Migration and Home Affairs))
- Short-stay calculator (European Commission (Migration and Home Affairs))
- User manual for the short-stay Schengen calculator (European Commission)
- Travel documents for non-EU nationals (European Union (Your Europe))
- Travel documents for EU nationals (European Union (Your Europe))
- Residence rights when living abroad in the EU (European Union (Your Europe))
- Documents for minors travelling in the EU (European Union (Your Europe))
- Frequently Asked Questions for Climate Resilience Fee (2 February 2026) (Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), Greece)
- Greek budget plan for 2025, sent to the European Commission (Hellenic Ministry of National Economy and Finance)
- Greek budget plan for 2026, sent to the European Commission (Hellenic Ministry of National Economy and Finance)
- Visit Mount Athos (Mount Athos Center (founded by the Municipality of Thessaloniki and the Holy Community of Mount Athos))
- The Mount Athos Center: identity (Mount Athos Center (founded by the Municipality of Thessaloniki and the Holy Community of Mount Athos))