Greece tourist visa: requirements, fee and processing time
This page covers the Greece tourist (schengen c) visa — used for short holiday or sightseeing trips of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. 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.
Where to apply for a Greece tourist visa
Global Visa Center World (GVCW) visa application centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh, acting for the Greek Consular Office in London.
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
- Round-trip flight reservation / detailed itinerary
- Proof of accommodation for every night (hotel bookings or invitation)
- Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements, usually last 3–6 months)
- Proof of employment / studies (employer letter, payslips, student letter)
- 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
- Adult (standard)€90
- Child 6–11€45
- Child under 6Free
- Family member of EU/EEA/CH citizenFree— Directive 2004/38/EC — consular fee waived with proof of the relationship and of the EU citizen exercising free-movement rights.
- School pupils, students and accompanying teachers (study trip)Free
- Researchers travelling for scientific researchFree
- Application centre service fee€37— VFS Global service fee, payable per applicant in GBP in addition to the consular fee.
Standard Schengen short-stay fee. Children under 6 are free, ages 6–11 pay a reduced fee, and family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens exercising free-movement rights are exempt. Application-centre service fees are charged in addition to the consular fee.
Booking an appointment
Appointments are booked online at uk-gr.gvcworld.eu. Peak-season slots are routinely booked out a month or more ahead, and the GVCW service fee must be paid online before the slot is confirmed — unpaid bookings are released back into the pool. A call centre (+44 203 7938 626) helps applicants who cannot find a slot.
Practical tips
Book the appointment before you buy flights — a reservation is enough for the file, and Greek summer slots are the tightest in the EU.
What is unusual about the Greece process
Greece is strict on insurance and on proof of accommodation for every single night — island-hopping itineraries with gaps are a common refusal reason. Ferry tickets between islands are usually requested.
Official sources
If you are applying from the United Kingdom
- London — GVCW Greece Visa Application Centre — LondonSuite 1, 4th Floor, 1 Duchess Street, London W1W 6ANAppointments and the GVCW service fee are booked and paid online before you attend.
- Manchester — GVCW Greece Visa Application Centre — ManchesterManchester centre — exact address is confirmed on the GVCW portal at bookingOpening days can be limited; check the portal when booking.
- Edinburgh — GVCW Greece Visa Application Centre — EdinburghEdinburgh centre — exact address is confirmed on the GVCW portal at bookingServes applicants resident in Scotland.
- London — Consulate General of Greece in London1A Holland Park, London W11 3TPConsular 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 tourist visa cost?
- For a Greece tourist visa, the consular fee is €90. Reduced or waived amounts apply to: Adult (standard) — €90; Child 6–11 — €45; Child under 6 — free; Family member of EU/EEA/CH citizen — free; School pupils, students and accompanying teachers (study trip) — free; Researchers travelling for scientific research — free; Application centre service fee — €37. Standard Schengen short-stay fee. Children under 6 are free, ages 6–11 pay a reduced fee, and family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens exercising free-movement rights are exempt. Application-centre service fees are charged in addition to the consular fee. Visa application centres such as VFS Global, BLS, TLScontact or Capago charge their own service fee on top.
- How long does a Greece tourist visa take to process?
- A decision on a Greece tourist visa typically takes around 15 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 tourist visa?
- Global Visa Center World (GVCW) visa application centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh, acting for the Greek Consular Office in London. You always apply through the mission or application centre that covers your country of legal residence.
- What documents are required for a Greece tourist 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; Round-trip flight reservation / detailed itinerary; Proof of accommodation for every night (hotel bookings or invitation); Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements, usually last 3–6 months); Proof of employment / studies (employer letter, payslips, student letter); 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 tourist visa?
- Appointment model: Outsourced center. Appointments are booked online at uk-gr.gvcworld.eu. Peak-season slots are routinely booked out a month or more ahead, and the GVCW service fee must be paid online before the slot is confirmed — unpaid bookings are released back into the pool. A call centre (+44 203 7938 626) helps applicants who cannot find a slot.
- Can I apply for a Greece tourist 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.
Related guides
- Greece family visit visa
- Greece student visa
- Greece work visa
- Greece business visa
- Greece long-stay visa
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