Greece entry requirements for New Zealand passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed June 28, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
New Zealand passport holders can visit Greece for up to 90 days without a visa. This covers tourism, business meetings, or family visits. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your departure date from the Schengen area | Your passport needs at least 3 months of validity after your planned exit from Greece (and the entire Schengen zone). Airlines check this at check-in — if you're under 3 months, they may deny boarding. No blank page requirement for this route. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from the Schengen area | Immigration at Athens International Airport routinely asks for proof you're leaving within 90 days. A return flight to New Zealand, or a ticket to a non-Schengen country like the UK or Turkey, works. Budget airlines like Ryanair also check this at check-in. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation letter | Have a hotel confirmation or an invitation letter from your host ready. Border officers at Athens sometimes ask for it, especially if you're arriving without a clear itinerary. A simple booking.com reservation printout works. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Sufficient money for your stay | Carry evidence of at least €50–€100 per day of stay, either in cash, bank statements, or a credit card. Officers rarely ask for it, but if you look underprepared they may quiz you on how you'll fund the trip. | Recommended |
Passport validity counts from entry date
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the day you land in Greece, not your departure date. If it expires sooner, you'll be denied boarding or entry.
Schengen area rules apply
Your 90-day visa-free stay applies to all 27 Schengen countries combined. You can't reset the clock by hopping to France or Italy — the 180-day window is shared.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Greek immigration
At Athens or any Greek airport, follow signs to 'All Passports' or 'Non-EU' queues. Have your passport and boarding pass ready.
2
Present your documents
Hand over your passport. The officer may ask for your return ticket or accommodation details. Answer clearly and briefly.
3
Get your entry stamp
The officer will stamp your passport with the entry date. Check the stamp before walking away — it shows how many days you're allowed.
4
Collect luggage and exit
After immigration, head to baggage claim, then customs. Green channel if you have nothing to declare.
Download Greece Entry Checklist
PDF · New Zealand Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated June 28, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Schengen Tourist Visa (Single Entry)
Max stay90 days
ValidityUp to 3 months from issue
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
For New Zealanders who want to stay beyond 90 days or need a visa; must apply in advance.
Schengen Tourist Visa (Multiple Entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
ValidityUp to 1 year (or longer with history)
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Allows multiple visits; same fee as single entry.
National Long-Stay Visa (D Visa)
Max stayUp to 1 year
Validity1 year, renewable
Cost€99 (~$108 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification; requires sponsorship and additional documentation.
digital nomad visa
Greece Digital Nomad Visa
1 year, renewable
€75 (~$82 USD) application fee
For remote workers earning at least €3,500/month. Allows stay and work in Greece. Requires proof of income and health insurance.
Apply retirement visa
Greece Retirement Visa (Type D)
1 year, renewable
€150 (~$164 USD) application fee
For retirees with sufficient income (pension or savings). Requires proof of funds and health insurance. No work allowed.
Apply investor visa
Greece Golden Visa
5 years, renewable
€250,000 (~$273,000 USD) minimum real estate investment
For investors purchasing property worth at least €250,000. Grants residency and Schengen travel. No minimum stay required.
Apply work visa
Greece Work Visa (Type D)
1 year, renewable
€150 (~$164 USD) application fee
For those with a job offer from a Greek employer. Requires work permit and sponsorship. Allows family reunification.
Apply student visa
Greece Student Visa (Type D)
1 year, renewable
€75 (~$82 USD) application fee
For enrolled students at Greek universities or accredited institutions. Allows part-time work (up to 20 hours/week).
Apply Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)For those who need a visa or want to stay longer; valid for up to 90 days. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry; allows multiple entries within validity. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstaying the 90-day limit incurs fines and possible entry bans. | €50 (~$54 USD) per day, max €3,000 (~$3,270 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Overstay history20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Greece
No transit visa needed
New Zealand passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes in Greece, even if leaving the airside transit area.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsAthens International Airport (ATH) · Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) · Heraklion Airport (HER)
Health & vaccines for Greece
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, influenza)EssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
West Nile VirusLow risk
Mosquito-borne; risk is highest in summer in rural areas.
Food and waterborne diseasesLow risk
Standard hygiene precautions recommended; tap water is safe in most areas.
Tick-borne encephalitisLow risk
Rare in tourists; risk in forested areas of northern Greece.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Athens
Athens Immigration Office (Aliens and Immigration Directorate)
Leof. Kifisias 7, Athina 115 23
Mon–Fri 08:00–14:00
Main office for visa extensions and residence permits; arrive early for appointments.
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki Immigration Office
Leof. Stratou 1, Thessaloniki 546 35
Mon–Fri 08:00–14:00
Handles extensions and permits for northern Greece.
Practical information for NZ travellers
Country basics
CapitalAthens
LanguageGreek
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid. IDP recommended.
Money
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.88 EUR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+2
vs New York+7h (EST) / +7h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+10h (PST) / +10h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C, F — US plugs do not fit. Bring a European adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Safe in Athens but most visitors use bottled. On islands, use bottled water.
Emergency numbers
Getting to Greece
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to Greece — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
No. You can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism, business, or family visits. This applies to all Schengen countries.
No, not for tourism. The 90-day limit is strict. If you need to stay longer, you'd need a national visa (e.g., for work or study) before you travel.
You'll likely be denied entry. Renew your passport before you travel.
Yes, you need proof of onward travel out of the Schengen area before your 90 days are up. A bus, train, or flight ticket all work.
Not officially for New Zealanders, but it's strongly recommended. Medical costs in Greece can be high, and insurance covers emergencies.
You risk fines, deportation, and a ban from the Schengen area. Overstays are taken seriously.
No. The visa-free stay is for tourism and business meetings only. Remote work for a foreign employer is technically not allowed. Greece has a digital nomad visa if you want to work legally.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on June 28, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.