ETIAS Greece permit for U.S. citizens
Citizens of the United States will be required to present an ETIAS visa when travelling to Greece. ETIAS permit can be obtained online, by filling out the ETIAS application form online and receiving your visa via e-mail once the application is approved. This ETIAS permit will allow U.S. citizens to enter Greece for work, tourism, transit, or medical reasons, as long as the duration of the trip is under 90 days, and the permit will be valid for multiple trips made via air, sea, or land. Furthermore, minors and people over 70 years of age will be able to apply for ETIAS free of charge.
What is ETIAS Greece?
ETIAS visa will come into force in 2023, as part of a European Commission program aimed at strengthening European borders and keeping a digital track on all people travelling to Schengen Area. This program was already approved in 2016, after the terrorist attacks that affected some European countries. During the last years, the creation of the ETIAS visa system was possible thanks to the implementation and expansion of data sharing between countries in the EU, that allows to connect the ETIAS applications with already existing databases from European authorities.
How does ETIAS Greece work for Americans
Starting from November 2023 U.S. citizens must present an ETIAS visa before travelling to Greece. If the trip has a duration longer than 90 days or has other reasons than those required for ETIAS, they will have to obtain a full visitor Schengen visa at the embassy or consulate of Greece, respecting the requirements and timing for the permit they are applying for. Once issued, ETIAS permit will be valid for 3 years, and it will allow to travel multiple times in Greece and other Member countries of the Schengen Area, provided that each trip is shorter than 90 days. In order to get your approved ETIAS in time for the trip, it is recommended to apply for ETIAS at least 4 days before the departure date. If the ETIAS permit is denied, you can still apply for a full visitor Schengen visa at the embassy or consulate of Greece or present an appeal to the country that denied ETIAS visa.
ETIAS destination countries for Americans
Starting from 2023 ETIAS visa will come into force for American citizens to travel to the following countries:
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
At the time being, Americans will not have to have an ETIAS visa to enter Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, and Romania, since these countries are currently not Schengen Area members. However, these countries may enter the Schengen Area in the future, so please keep updated with the requirements.
ETIAS requirements for Americans and how to apply
To apply for ETIAS visa, you will need to be a U.S. citizen and hold a valid electronic passport issued by the United States of America. If you do not have an U.S. passport, you will require a Schengen visa.
The ETIAS permit application can be completed online, entering all necessary information by following the required steps, and making sure all the data is entered correctly. Once the application form is completed, all citizens aged between 18 and 70 years will also be required to pay a 7 euros fee, using a credit or debit card.
How much does ETIAS cost for U.S. citizens
The ETIAS visa application for U.S. citizens has a cost of 7 euros for all citizens with an age between 18 and 70 years, which must be paid at the end of the online application process, using a credit or debit card. American citizens under 18 and over 70 years of age are entitled to apply for the ETIAS visa free of charge.
About Greece
Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic is a country in the Mediterranean, occupying the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula it is in southeastern Europe. It is at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Greece is composed of two main peninsulas and a large number of islands, of which 227 are inhabited. Crete, Rhodes, the Dodecanese, Corfu, and the Cyclades are some of the more well-known islands.
Greece is bordered by the Aegean, the Ionian, the Cretan, and the Mediterranean seas. It shares a maritime border with Cyprus, Egypt, Italy, and Libya. The country is bordered by Albania, Bulgaria, Turkey and the Republic of Macedonia.
Greece has an area of 132,000 sq. km and has a population of about 11.5 million people.
The official language is Greek with Turkish spoken by a minority.
Eastern Orthodoxy is the prevailing faith of the country, but the Greek Constitution guarantees freedom of religious belief for all.
The currency in Greece is the euro.
Eighty percent of the country consists of hills or mountains, giving Greece the distinction of being one of the most mountainous countries in Europe. It has 16,000 km of coastline, 7500 of which are found around the islands of the Greek archipelago.
Greece at a glance
Capital: Athens
Timezone: UTC/GMT +2 hours
Languages: Greek 99%, Other 1%
Area: 131,940 KM2
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Population: 11,000,000
Calling Code: +30
Travel in Greece
Greece is one of the world’s most popular countries to visit, ranked in the world’s top 20 countries. As such, Greece is very aware of the responsibilities it holds as an entry country to Europe. It has joined with other E.U. countries to tighten border security for all member countries.
Having struggled with its economy, Greece has managed to maintain its membership of the E.U.
Tourism is one of the most important sectors in Greece and a key economic activity.
With a combination of climate, islands, beaches, history, culture, cuisine and music, travelers find Greece an ideal destination.
Whether standing in the ring where Olympians first competed, standing in the shadow of the Acropolis, climbing steps carved out of stone to Meteora monasteries or enjoying the grandeur of Delphi, Greece is a country with stunning history and architecture.
There is a Greek legend that tells how God distributed soil through a sieve and the stones that were left were used to build Greece. The countries terrain is varied, idyllic beaches, towering mountains, vast fields of olive groves, wine-producing valleys and lush forests.
For the adrenaline junkies, there are rock-climbing locations with the most dizzying of views. World-class kite surfing, jet skiing, and wreck diving are easily arranged. Sailing is a popular, if not so active sport.
The most popular tourist pastimes revolve around the beach and the cafes, but cultural visits are an important part of the Greek experience.
The US and Greece
Diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Greece are regarded as cordial.
With strong cultural, religious, historical and political ties between the two nations, Greece and the U.S consider themselves allies.
Greece and the U.S belong to the same following organizations
- The United Nations
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization
- Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council
- Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
- Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
- International Monetary Fund
- World Bank
- World Trade Organization
Greece is also a permanent observer to the Organization of American States.
Greece’s geographic location makes it a vital ally in engagement and dialogue with the Muslim world. Greece is the primary entry location into the Schengen zone for migrants from Southwest Asia, North and Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East.
There are direct flights from North America to Greece in the summer season; other seasons will require a stop off in Europe. Direct flight times are approximately nine hours.
When the ETIAS scheme is introduced in 2021, once you have been authorized, you will be allowed travel into the Schengen zone, of which Greece is a member. If Greece is listed as your point of entry to Europe on your ETIAS application, it will not be possible to change your plans and fly into another country. All applicants must fly into their stated point of entry to Europe, onward travel from that point is flexible.
FAQ about ETIAS Greece visa
List of US diplomatic offices in Greece
The Embassy of USA in Athens, Greece
Address: 91 Vasilisis Sophias Ave 10160 Athens, Greece
Phone: 30-210-721-2951
Facts: Gregory W. Pfleger, Jr – Ambassador
Consulate of USA in Thessaloniki, Greece
Address: 43 Tsimiski, 7th Floor 546 23 Thessaloniki Greece
Phone: +30 2310 242 905
Fax: +30 2310 242 927
The Embassy of Greece in Washington, USA
Address: 2217, Massachusetts Avenue N.W. Washington DC 20008 United States of America
Phone: +1202 9391300
Fax: +1202 9391324
Email: gremb.was@mfa.gr
Consulate of Greece in New York, USA
Address: 69, East 79th Street New York, 10075 United States of America
Phone: +1212 9885500
Fax: +1212 7348492
Email: grgencon.ny@mfa.gr
Consulate of Greece in San Francisco, USA
Address: 2441 Gough Street San Francisco, CA 94123 United States of America
Phone: +1415 7752102
Fax: +1415 7766815
Email: grgencon.sf@mfa.gr
Consulate of Greece in Houston, USA
Address: 2401 Fountain View Drive Ste.850, Houston, Texas 77057 United States of America
Phone: +1713 8407522
Fax: +1713 8400614
Email: grcon.hou@mfa.gr