China entry requirements for Greece passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 18, 2026·View sources
No visa required
30 days
Max stay
30 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Greek passport holders can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days. This policy is in effect for 2026 and covers tourism, business, and 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 the duration of your stay | Your Greek passport needs to be valid for at least the full 30 days you plan to stay in China. Airlines at Athens and other EU hubs will check this before boarding. No minimum 6-month validity requirement for China. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from China | Immigration officers at Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, and Guangzhou routinely ask for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed or digital copy of your flight booking. Overstaying the 30-day visa-free period results in a fine of 500 CNY per day at the airport. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or invitation letter | Chinese immigration rarely asks for this at the border, but your airline might. Have a hotel confirmation or a letter of invitation from a Chinese host. If staying with friends, they must register you with the local police station within 24 hours of arrival. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself | Not formally required for visa-free entry, but carry at least 3,000 CNY in cash or have a credit card with available limit. ATMs in Chinese airports accept Visa and Mastercard, but backup cash helps if the machine is down. | Recommended |
Passport validity is strictly enforced
Chinese immigration requires your passport to be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry. Airlines check this too — if your passport expires sooner, you won't be allowed to board. Renew before you go.
Register your stay within 24 hours
Hotels handle this automatically, but if you're staying with friends or family, you must register at the local police station within 24 hours of arrival. It's a legal requirement and failure can mean fines.
What happens at the border
1
Prepare documents before departure
Check your passport validity (6+ months), book your return ticket, and arrange first-night accommodation. Download a local eSIM or buy a SIM card at the airport.
2
Arrive at a Chinese port of entry
You can enter via any international airport (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, etc.) or land border. At immigration, present your passport and completed arrival card (usually given on the plane).
3
Go through immigration control
Hand over your passport and any requested documents. The officer may ask about your return ticket, accommodation, and purpose of visit. Answer clearly. You'll receive a 30-day entry stamp.
4
Collect luggage and exit
After clearing immigration, collect your bags from the carousel and proceed through customs. If you have nothing to declare, use the green channel.
Download China Entry Checklist
PDF · Greece Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 18, 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:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost1,200 CNY (~$170 USD)
Requires invitation letter or hotel booking. Apply at Chinese embassy.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay60 days per entry, extendable 30 days
Validity6 months or 1 year
Cost2,400 CNY (~$340 USD)
For frequent travellers. Must show travel history.
Business visa (M visa)
Max stay30 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months
Cost1,200 CNY (~$170 USD)
Requires invitation letter from Chinese company.
work visa
Z Visa (Work Visa)
1 year, renewable annually
~1,200 CNY (~$170 USD) plus employer fees
For those with a job offer in China. Requires employer sponsorship, work permit, and health check. Allows long-term residence.
student visa
X Visa (Student Visa)
Up to 5 years, renewable
~1,200 CNY (~$170 USD) plus tuition
For enrolled students at Chinese institutions. Requires admission letter and financial proof. Allows part-time work with permission.
investor visa
D Visa (Investor/Entrepreneur)
1 year, renewable
~2,400 CNY (~$340 USD) plus investment
For investors with significant capital (usually >$500,000 USD). Requires business plan and government approval. Leads to permanent residency.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Overstay fine per dayMaximum cap of 10,000 CNY (~$1,400 USD). | 500 CNY (~$70 USD) per day |
| Tourist visa (single entry)For stays beyond 30 days or multiple entries. | 1,200 CNY (~$170 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Valid for multiple entries within validity period. | 2,400 CNY (~$340 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
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 China
No transit visa needed
Greece passport holders can transit through China without a visa for up to 24 hours at most international airports, provided they stay airside and have a confirmed onward ticket.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid visa for the US, UK, Canada, Australia, or Schengen area may transit without visa for up to 144 hours in certain cities (e.g., Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou).
- Transit without visa is also allowed for up to 72 hours in some cities (e.g., Chengdu, Chongqing).
Transit hubsBeijing Capital International Airport (PEK) · Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) · Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Health & vaccines for China
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedJapanese EncephalitisConsiderRabiesConsiderRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, influenza)Essential
Health risks
Air pollutionModerate risk
High PM2.5 levels in major cities can aggravate respiratory conditions.
Food and waterborne diseasesModerate risk
Risk of traveler's diarrhea from contaminated food or water; drink bottled water.
Altitude sicknessLow risk
Risk in high-altitude areas like Tibet; acclimatize gradually.
Malaria risk: low
Malaria risk exists in rural areas of Yunnan and Hainan provinces; prophylaxis recommended for those areas.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Beijing
Beijing Exit-Entry Administration Bureau
2 Andingmen East Street, Dongcheng District
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
For visa extensions or re-entry permits. Bring passport, photos, and proof of stay.
Shanghai
Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration Bureau
1500 Minsheng Road, Pudong New Area
Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00
Popular for tourist visa extensions. Arrive early to avoid queues.
Practical information for GR travellers
Country basics
CapitalBeijing
LanguageStandard Chinese (Mandarin)
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days, but an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyChinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 6.81 CNY
Time zone
Local timeUTC+8
vs New York+13h
vs Los Angeles+16h
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
A,C,ITypes A (two flat pins), C (two round pins), and I (three flat pins) are used.
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; boil or use bottled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No. The visa-free entry is not extendable. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for a proper visa (like a tourist L visa) before traveling, or leave China and re-enter after a short trip to a neighboring country.
You will likely be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry by Chinese immigration. Renew your passport before traveling. The 6-month validity is strictly enforced.
It depends. If you're transiting to a third country and staying in the same city for up to 24 hours, you don't need a visa. For longer layovers (up to 144 hours in certain cities like Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou), you can use the 144-hour transit visa-free policy. Check the specific rules for your transit city.
No. The visa-free entry is for tourism, business visits, or family visits only. Working or studying requires the appropriate visa (Z visa for work, X visa for study).
Your passport (valid 6+ months), a printed or digital copy of your return ticket, and proof of accommodation for at least the first night. Having travel insurance details handy is also smart.
Yes. If you're staying in a hotel, they will register you with local police automatically. If you're staying in a private residence, you must register at the local police station within 24 hours of arrival. Failure to do so can result in fines.
Overstaying is taken seriously. You may be fined up to 500 CNY per day (about €65), detained, and banned from re-entering China for a period. Always leave before your stamp expires.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 18, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.