How long does a Greece student visa take to process?

A decision on a Greece student visa typically takes around 60 days from the appointment date, though peak season, additional document requests and consulate workload can extend this. Apply as early as the rules allow.

Where do I apply for a Greece student visa?

GVCW visa application centre (London, Manchester, Edinburgh); the national D visa is decided by the Greek Consular Office in London, not by GVCW. You always apply through the mission or application centre that covers your country of legal residence.

What documents are required for a Greece student visa?

The Greece consular network lists: Valid passport (issued within the last 10 years, valid 3+ months beyond departure, 2 blank pages); Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; 1–2 recent biometric photos (35x45mm, ICAO standard); Travel medical insurance covering €30,000, valid across the Schengen area for the whole trip; Letter of admission / enrolment from the host institution; Proof of tuition fees paid or a scholarship award letter; Proof of maintenance funds for the full study period; Comprehensive health insurance valid in the destination country; Proof of accommodation for the study period; Criminal record certificate, apostilled and translated (stays over 3–6 months); Academic transcripts and qualifications, translated; Proof of UK immigration status (BRP, eVisa share code, or residence permit); Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) taken at the appointment. Some items are mandatory and others only advisable — the EU Visa Compass checklist tool flags which is which.

Can I apply for a Greece student visa from the United Kingdom?

Yes. We list 4 submission points in the UK for Greece, with addresses and notes, on this page. If you live elsewhere, use the consulate covering your country of residence — the requirements themselves stay the same.

Greece student visa: requirements, fee and processing time

This page covers the Greece student visa — used for enrolling on a course, degree programme or exchange semester. Every field below is taken from our editor-verified country record and reflects what the Greece consular network publishes for applicants of any nationality. You apply in the country where you legally reside, so exact centres and service fees can differ locally.

Consular fee

€180

Typical decision

60 days

Appointments

Outsourced center

Where to apply for a Greece student visa

GVCW visa application centre (London, Manchester, Edinburgh); the national D visa is decided by the Greek Consular Office in London, not by GVCW.

Required documents

Valid passport (issued within the last 10 years, valid 3+ months beyond departure, 2 blank pages)
Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
1–2 recent biometric photos (35x45mm, ICAO standard)
Travel medical insurance covering €30,000, valid across the Schengen area for the whole trip
Letter of admission / enrolment from the host institution
Proof of tuition fees paid or a scholarship award letter
Proof of maintenance funds for the full study period
Comprehensive health insurance valid in the destination country
Proof of accommodation for the study period
Criminal record certificate, apostilled and translated (stays over 3–6 months)
Academic transcripts and qualifications, translated
Proof of UK immigration status (BRP, eVisa share code, or residence permit)
Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) taken at the appointment

Turn this list into a tick-off checklist on the checklist page, which also flags which items are mandatory and which are only advisable.

Fees, reductions and exemptions

National (type D) visa — standard€180
Family member of EU/EEA/CH citizenFree— Directive 2004/38/EC — fee waived where the applicant joins an EU citizen exercising free-movement rights.
Application centre service fee€37— VFS Global service fee, payable per applicant in GBP in addition to the consular fee.

The Greek national visa application form itself is free. A consular fee (commonly EUR 180) plus the GVCW service fee are payable; confirm the current amount with the consulate before you attend.

Booking an appointment

Book under the "Long term / National D visa" category at uk-gr.gvcworld.eu. GVCW only collects the file and biometrics — the consulate adjudicates, which is why decisions run far longer than short-stay visas.

Practical tips

Apply as early as your acceptance letter allows — national visa decisions regularly take two months. After arrival you must still convert the D visa into a residence permit at the local Decentralised Administration or via gov.gr.

What is unusual about the Greece process

The D visa is only an entry permit. Your legal status in Greece comes from the residence permit you apply for after landing, so diarise that deadline before you travel.

Official sources

If you are applying from the United Kingdom

London — GVCW Greece Visa Application Centre — London
Suite 1, 4th Floor, 1 Duchess Street, London W1W 6AN
Appointments and the GVCW service fee are booked and paid online before you attend.
Manchester — GVCW Greece Visa Application Centre — Manchester
Manchester centre — exact address is confirmed on the GVCW portal at booking
Opening days can be limited; check the portal when booking.
Edinburgh — GVCW Greece Visa Application Centre — Edinburgh
Edinburgh centre — exact address is confirmed on the GVCW portal at booking
Serves applicants resident in Scotland.
London — Consulate General of Greece in London
1A Holland Park, London W11 3TP
Consular office responsible for decisions; national D visas are adjudicated here, not at the visa centre.

Applying from somewhere else? Use the consulate that covers your country of legal residence — the requirements above still apply.

Updated today against official Greece consular sources. Requirements can change without notice — always confirm before you travel.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Greece student visa cost?: For a Greece student visa, the consular fee is €180. Reduced or waived amounts apply to: National (type D) visa — standard — €180; Family member of EU/EEA/CH citizen — free; Application centre service fee — €37. The Greek national visa application form itself is free. A consular fee (commonly EUR 180) plus the GVCW service fee are payable; confirm the current amount with the consulate before you attend. Visa application centres such as VFS Global, BLS, TLScontact or Capago charge their own service fee on top.
How long does a Greece student visa take to process?: A decision on a Greece student visa typically takes around 60 days from the appointment date, though peak season, additional document requests and consulate workload can extend this. Apply as early as the rules allow.
Where do I apply for a Greece student visa?: GVCW visa application centre (London, Manchester, Edinburgh); the national D visa is decided by the Greek Consular Office in London, not by GVCW. You always apply through the mission or application centre that covers your country of legal residence.
What documents are required for a Greece student visa?: The Greece consular network lists: Valid passport (issued within the last 10 years, valid 3+ months beyond departure, 2 blank pages); Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; 1–2 recent biometric photos (35x45mm, ICAO standard); Travel medical insurance covering €30,000, valid across the Schengen area for the whole trip; Letter of admission / enrolment from the host institution; Proof of tuition fees paid or a scholarship award letter; Proof of maintenance funds for the full study period; Comprehensive health insurance valid in the destination country; Proof of accommodation for the study period; Criminal record certificate, apostilled and translated (stays over 3–6 months); Academic transcripts and qualifications, translated; Proof of UK immigration status (BRP, eVisa share code, or residence permit); Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) taken at the appointment. Some items are mandatory and others only advisable — the EU Visa Compass checklist tool flags which is which.
How do appointments work for a Greece student visa?: Appointment model: Outsourced center. Book under the "Long term / National D visa" category at uk-gr.gvcworld.eu. GVCW only collects the file and biometrics — the consulate adjudicates, which is why decisions run far longer than short-stay visas.
Can I apply for a Greece student visa from the United Kingdom?: Yes. We list 4 submission points in the UK for Greece, with addresses and notes, on this page. If you live elsewhere, use the consulate covering your country of residence — the requirements themselves stay the same.

🇬🇷 Greece student visa: requirements, fee and processing time