Overview of Greece
Greece, located in southeastern Europe, is a peninsular nation bordered by Turkey, Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria. Renowned as the cradle of Western civilization, Greece has a rich history spanning thousands of years, with significant contributions to philosophy, arts, and politics. The capital, Athens, is home to iconic landmarks such as the Parthenon and the Acropolis.
Beyond the mainland, Greece’s numerous islands, including Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete, are famed for their stunning beaches, unique architecture, and vibrant culture. Greece enjoys a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild winters. The official language is Greek, and the country uses the Euro (€) as its currency. Greece became a Schengen Area member in 2000, allowing visa holders to travel freely within Schengen countries.
Greece Schengen Visa Eligibility
Schengen visa eligibility for Greece includes third country nationals from the following states, who are excluded from visa-free to Greece/the Schengen area, and are therefore eligible to apply for a Schengen visa to Greece:
| 1. AFGHANISTAN | 53. LAOS |
| 2. ALGERIA | 54. LEBANON |
| 3. ANGOLA | 55. LESOTHO |
| 4. ARMENIA | 56. LIBERIA |
| 5. AZERBAIJAN | 57. LIBYA |
| 6. BAHRAIN | 58. MADAGASCAR |
| 7. BANGLADESH | 59. MALAWI |
| 8. BELARUS | 60. MALDIVES |
| 9. BELIZE | 61. MALI |
| 10. BENIN | 62. MAURITANIA |
| 11. BHUTAN | 63. MONGOLIA |
| 12. BOLIVIA | 64. MOROCCO |
| 13. BOTSWANA | 65. MOZAMBIQUE |
| 14. BURKINA FASO | 66. NAMIBIA |
| 15. BURMA/MYANMAR | 67. NAURU |
| 16. BURUNDI | 68. NEPAL |
| 17. CAMBODIA | 69. NIGER |
| 18. CAMEROON | 70. NIGERIA |
| 19. CAPE VERDE | 71. NORTH KOREA |
| 20. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC | 72. OMAN |
| 21. CHAD | 73. PAKISTAN |
| 22. CHINA | 74. PAPUA NEW GUINEA |
| 23. COMOROS | 75. PHILIPPINES |
| 24. CONGO | 76. QATAR |
| 25. COTE D’IVOIRE | 77. RUSSIA |
| 26. CUBA | 78. RWANDA |
| 27. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO | 79. SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE |
| 28. DJIBOUTI | 80. SAUDI ARABIA |
| 29. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | 81. SENEGAL |
| 30. ECUADOR | 82. SIERRA LEONE |
| 31. EGYPT | 83. SOMALIA |
| 32. EQUATORIAL GUINEA | 84. SOUTH AFRICA |
| 33. ERITREA | 85. SOUTH SUDAN |
| 34. ETHIOPIA | 86. SRI LANKA |
| 35. FIJI | 87. SUDAN |
| 36. GABON | 88. SURINAME |
| 37. GAMBIA | 89. SWAZILAND |
| 38. GHANA | 90. SYRIA |
| 39. GUINEA | 91. TAJIKISTAN |
| 40. GUINEA-BISSAU | 92. TANZANIA |
| 41. GUYANA | 93. THAILAND |
| 42. HAITI | 94. TOGO |
| 43. INDIA | 95. TUNISIA |
| 44. INDONESIA | 96. TURKEY |
| 45. IRAN | 97. TURKMENISTAN |
| 46. IRAQ | 98. UGANDA |
| 47. JAMAICA | 99. UZBEKISTAN |
| 48. JORDAN | 100.VIETNAM |
| 49. KAZAKHSTAN | 101.YEMEN |
| 50. KENYA | 102.ZAMBIA |
| 51. KUWAIT | 103.ZIMBABWE |
| 52. KYRGYZSTAN |
Third party nationals from the following entities/territories are also required to apply for a Schengen visa: KOSOVO and the PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY.
When to Apply for a German Schengen Visa
It is recommended to submit your application at least 15 days before your intended travel date and no earlier than six months before departure. Applying well in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons, to avoid potential delays.
Processing Time for German Schengen Visa
The processing time for a German Schengen visa is generally 15 days. However, during high-demand periods or in specific cases, it may take 30 to 60 days. It is always best to apply early to ensure sufficient processing time.
Important Entry Notes
Your visa may be revoked if you do not notify the German Consulate or visa application center of any changes to your trip itinerary after submitting your application. Being approved for a Schengen visa does not guarantee entry into Germany or the Schengen Area—border authorities have the final decision on entry and may request additional documents upon arrival. You may also need to provide proof of sufficient financial means, accommodation details, and the purpose of your visit.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is recommended to consult the official German consulate or embassy in your country before making any travel arrangements.
