Yes, Indian passport holders need a valid visa, specifically a Schengen visa (type-c), to travel to Greece for short stays like tourism, business, family visits, or other approved activities for up to 90 days within 180 days. Greece does not offer visa-on-arrival or visa-free entry for Indian citizens.

Here are the Greece tourist visa requirements for Indians:

• Visa application form

• Passport photo

• Valid passport 

• Proof of travel purpose

• Proof of travel 

• Proof of accommodation

• Proof of financial means

• Travel insurance 

Visa application form:

A completed and signed Greece visa application form.

Passport photo:

One recent passport-sized photograph that meets Greece's specific visa photo requirements (e.g., white background, no older than 6 months).

Valid passport:

A passport or travel document that is valid for at least 3 months beyond the expiry date of your Schengen visa. It must have been issued within the last 10 years and contain at least two blank pages. You must also submit old passports, if any.

Proof of travel purpose:

Provide a clear and concise cover letter outlining your personal information, purpose of visit, financial means and intent to return. 

Proof of accommodation:

Submit the proof of accommodation for your entire stay in Greece. If invited, submit an invitation letter signed by the inviting person and duly notarised in Greece.

Proof of financial means:

The government needs proof of your capability to fund your stay. For this, you will need to submit bank account statements for the last three months (preferably showing a minimum balance of €3000, ITR acknowledgement for the last two years, payslips for the last 3 months, employer contract and employer’s statement on approval of holidays. 

Travel insurance:

You must have travel insurance that is valid for all Schengen Countries. It should cover at least €30,000 or equivalent for all risks for the entire duration of the trip. 

Here’s how you can apply for a Greek tourist visa from India: 

1. Gather Your Documents: 

Start by collecting all the required documents, such as your valid passport, the last three months’ bank statements, payslips, income tax returns, and any other documents listed in the requirements.

2. Log in to PostMyVisa: 

Visit the PostMyVisa website or open the mobile app. Select Greece as your destination.

3. Book Your Appointment: 

Fill in your details, upload the necessary documents, and pay the appointment fee. Once you're done, you’ll receive a confirmation for your visa appointment.

4. Submit Your Documents: 

Go to the visa application centre on your scheduled date. PostMyVisa will arrange for your documents to be submitted in the correct order. During your visit, you’ll also complete the required biometrics (fingerprints and facial scans).

5. Pay the PostMyVisa & Service Fee: 

Pay the PostMyVisa Fee and wait for the processing, including travel insurance and courier fees, to be completed.

6. Receive Your Visa: 

Once approved, your passport with a Greek tourist visa stamp will be delivered directly to your home.

The Greece visa fees for Indians are, for Adults: €90, for Children (6-12 years): €45, and for Children under 6 years: Free of cost.
Please note: Fees may vary slightly due to exchange rate fluctuations or additional service charges from visa centres.

Tip: Keep the exact visa fee ready at your appointment, as payment methods can vary depending on the visa application centre.

Schengen visa shopping refers to the practice of applying for a Schengen visa through a country that is perceived to have a more lenient or faster visa approval process rather than applying through the country that is your primary destination. This is generally frowned upon by Schengen authorities and can result in visa rejection or complications during your travel.

Consequences of visa shopping:

• Rejection: Visa applications can be rejected if the consulate suspects that you are not genuinely planning to visit the country through which you applied.

• Entry issues: Even if you receive a visa, you may face issues when entering the Schengen Area if immigration officials believe your main destination is not the country that issued your visa.

• Record: Schengen authorities share information, and previous visa shopping attempts may affect future applications.

Tip: Always apply for a Schengen visa through the country where you plan to spend the most time or the country that is your first point of entry in the Schengen Area.

The 90/180 rule is a crucial guideline for travellers holding a Schengen visa, dictating how long they can stay within the Schengen Area. It states that you can stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. These 90 days can be consecutive or spread across multiple trips. However, the cumulative stay within the Schengen Area must not exceed 90 days in any rolling 180-day window.

Understanding the rule:

• Rolling period: The 180 days are counted on a rolling basis, meaning each day you are in the Schengen Area, the 180-day period shifts forward by one day. For instance, if you stay from January 1 to March 31, you can return on May 1 but must leave by July 30 (the next 90-day window).

• Multiple entries: The rule applies regardless of whether you are on a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. If you leave the Schengen Area and re-enter, the days spent inside are still counted towards your 90-day limit.

• Tracking your days: It’s important to keep track of the number of days you’ve spent in the Schengen Area during the last 180 days. Overstaying can result in fines, deportation, or a ban from re-entering the Schengen Area in the future.

Example:

• If you enter the Schengen Area on January 1 and stay for 30 days, you have 60 more days to use within the next 150 days.

• If you leave and return after 60 days, say on April 1, you can stay for another 60 days, completing your 90 days within that rolling 180-day period.

Note: You must not overstay. If you exceed the 90-day limit, you may face penalties, including fines, deportation, or a ban on re-entering the Schengen Area. Each country within the Schengen Zone may handle overstays differently, but the consequences are generally severe.

Yes, you can bring your pet to Greece with a Schengen visa, but there are specific requirements you must meet:

• Microchip: Your pet must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit pet microchip.

• Rabies vaccination: Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies, and the vaccination must be administered at least 21 days before travel.

• Veterinary certificate: If travelling from outside the EU, a third-country official veterinary certificate is required.

• Tapeworm treatment: Dogs must be treated for tapeworm 24-120 hours before entering Greece.

Tip: You must check the specific pet import requirements for Greece and the Schengen Area well in advance of your trip to ensure compliance.

Yes, you can bring prescription medication into Greece on a Schengen visa, but you should carry a prescription or a doctor’s letter that includes important information, such as your name, the name of the medication, dosage, usage and the prescribed amount on the official letterhead.

No, each family member must submit a separate Schengen visa application, including children and infants. Each applicant must meet the requirements and provide their own set of documents.

Tip: When applying as a family, submit all applications together to ensure they are processed simultaneously and to streamline the appointment process.

If your Greece visa is approved but your travel dates have changed, you can still use the visa as long as the new travel dates fall within the visa’s validity period. However, if your new travel dates are outside the visa’s validity, you will need to apply for a new visa.

Tip: When booking flights and accommodations, ensure they align with the visa’s validity period to avoid complications.

The chances of obtaining a long-term Greece Schengen visa (valid for up to 5 years) depend on several factors, including:

• Previous travel history: A positive history of compliance with Schengen visa rules, including timely departures.

• Strong justification: A well-documented need for frequent travel to Greece or other Schengen Countries, such as for business or family reasons.

• Complete and accurate application: A thoroughly completed application with all necessary documents and no discrepancies.

Note: While exact approval rates for long-term visas are not publicly available, applicants with a strong travel history and clear reasons for multiple visits have a higher likelihood of approval.

To obtain a multiple-entry Greece Schengen visa, particularly under the new rules favourable for Indian citizens, follow these steps:

• Establish a travel history: First, obtain and lawfully use two Schengen visas within the previous three years.

• Apply for a multiple-entry visa: After meeting the above condition, apply for a multiple-entry visa, which can be valid for up to two years initially. If you use this visa correctly, you can then apply for a five-year multiple-entry visa.

• Ensure passport validity: Ensure your passport has sufficient validity to cover the entire duration of the multiple-entry visa you seek.

• Provide strong justifications: Your application should include reasons for needing multiple entries, such as frequent business trips, family visits, or ongoing travel requirements.

• Use the Cascade Regime: The Visa Code Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 governs the issuance of Schengen visas. Under the EU's "cascade" regime, Indian citizens can progress from a two-year visa to a five-year visa, enjoying travel rights similar to visa-free nationals if all conditions are met.

For more detailed guidance, visit the European External Action Service.

Authorised by the government: Postmyvisa is authorised by the United Arab Emirates government to handle your visa application.

Easy to use: PostMyVisa is easy to use and allows you to apply for your visa in under 10 minutes, allowing for a seamless process.

Convenient document upload: You can easily upload your photo and passport by either selecting files from your device or using the camera on your smartphone or laptop.