Do I need an Etias to travel to Greece? The answer to that question is a matter of nationality more than anything else. Those who can travel to Greece presently without a visa need to obtain ETIAS approval if they are to visit Greece when the new policy goes into effect. As for those who need a visa to enter Greece, they will be ineligible for ETIAS.
This will be the situation once the EU Commission makes the European Travel Information and Authorization System mandatory starting in 2024.
What Is ETIAS?
ETIAS is a visa waiver program designed by the community of Schengen states through the European Commission to strengthen border security on the continent, including in the Schengen zone. Any tourist who wishes to visit Greece from a visa free country will need to obtain this visa waiver as a security measure.
The ETIAS application form contains a list of questions the applicant must answer truthfully. Once they apply, the ETIAS system will scan the information across multiple databases to check for risk factors.
ETIAS will serve as both a security vetting system and a data collation system for the European Commission. The Commission hopes the system will effectively combat the spread of crime by preventing criminal elements from entering Europe. Furthermore, ETIAS will allow visitors to enter Greece and other countries in the Schengen zone.
Travelers can visit all 27 Schengen countries in the region with a single Etias approval; the only thing they should do is to make Greece or any country they plan to visit first as their primary destination before adding other secondary destinations.
ETIAS Validity
Although ETIAS is not a standard visa, it will allow the holder to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within 6 months, the grace period enjoyed by current visitors from visa free countries. Once approved, the visitor will not have to apply for another one for the next three years because it is valid for 36 months.
We should also add that ETIAS is a multiple entry travel permit, so visitors can use it as many times as they wish, provided they don’t stay in the Schengen area for more than 90 days.
When To Apply For ETIAS?
Travelers to Greece or any Schengen country must apply for ETIAS at least 96 hours before they visit Europe to give themselves ample time to get the approval. Although the system issues the approval within minutes, there may be delays due to security alert triggers which lead to their data being transferred to the manual ETIAS unit in the country they wish to visit for further vetting.
Greece In Europe
Greece is located in Southeast Europe and is classified among the Balkan countries in the South of Europe. The official lingua franca is Greek, and the country is part of the European Union. Euro is the legal tender of Greece and is a tourist hub due to the friendly climate and the thousands of small islands along the Ionian and Aegean Seas.
Still regarded as the birthplace of Western civilization, Greece is rich in history and culture, with many museums containing artifacts and prized pieces that tell the history of Greece, dating back thousands of years.
The ancient ruins of Athens are still in place today, and so are well known landmarks dating back to the 5th century and later. You will find many UNESCO sites like the Meteora monastery, the Parthenon, and the Acropolis, to mention a few. There are many popular tourist destinations, including Santorini and Mykonos, which is a popular beach destination.
Greece In The Schengen Area
Greece has been a Schengen country ever since it became a registered member of the Union in 2000, but it has also been a member of the European Union since 1981. The country’s Schengen membership makes it a signatory to the Schengen Agreement and an issuer of ETIAS approval.
How To Apply For ETIAS?
ETIAS is available online, so applicants must fill out the application form and submit it online for approval. There are application platforms like VisaHQ where intended visitors can submit their applications for approval. The process on VisaHQ only takes 10 minutes or less with these steps.
Visit VisaHQ
Choose Greece as your primary care
Choose your country of citizenship
Select ETIAS visa waiver
Complete the application form
Upload the required documents
Pay the application fee
Submit for approval
The application fee for ETIAS is €7, payable with a credit or debit card, which must be paid before you can submit the form for processing.
Do I need an ETIAS to travel to Greece? You need an ETIAS if you are from a visa free country, and the form is available online at VisaHQ.