Greece entry requirements for Vietnam passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 25, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Vietnamese passport holders need a visa to enter Greece. Apply at the Greek embassy or consulate in Vietnam before you travel. Processing can take several weeks, so plan ahead.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen visa application Apply before travel | You need a Schengen visa to enter Greece. Apply at the Greek embassy or consulate in your home country — processing takes at least 15 calendar days. Submit your application no later than 6 months and no earlier than 15 days before your trip.Apply for Schengen visa | Required |
| Valid passport Must cover entire stay | Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date from the Schengen area. It also needs at least two blank pages for entry and exit stamps. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Show at border control | Greek immigration officers routinely ask for proof of onward travel. Have a printed or digital copy of your return flight or a ticket to a non-Schengen country ready. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or invitation letter | Carry a confirmed hotel reservation for every night of your stay, or a formal invitation letter from a host in Greece. Officers may ask to see it during passport check. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Bank statement or cash | Have a recent bank statement showing at least €60 per day of your stay, or a combination of cash and credit cards. Immigration can ask for proof you can support yourself without working. | Recommended |
Visa required — apply well in advance
Vietnamese passport holders cannot enter Greece without a pre-approved Schengen visa. Start the application process at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to avoid last-minute issues.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended
While not always checked at immigration, travel insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation is highly advised. Hospital costs in Greece can be steep — a single emergency room visit can cost hundreds of euros.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for a Schengen visa at the Greek embassy
Submit your visa application at the Greek embassy or consulate in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Book an appointment, fill out the application form, and provide supporting documents: passport, photos, travel insurance, flight and hotel bookings, proof of funds. Processing typically takes 15–30 days.
2
Wait for visa approval
After submission, the embassy processes your application. You may be called for an interview. Once approved, the visa sticker is placed in your passport.
3
Travel to Greece
When you arrive at a Greek airport (e.g., Athens International Airport), go to the 'All Passports' queue. Have your passport with the visa, return ticket, and accommodation proof ready. The officer may ask about your plans — answer clearly.
4
Enter Greece and enjoy your stay
Once stamped in, you can stay up to the number of days your visa allows (typically 90 days within a 180-day period). Keep your documents handy in case of spot checks.
Download Greece Entry Checklist
PDF · Vietnam Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 25, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Schengen Tourist Visa (Single Entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
ValidityUp to 3 months
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Standard tourist visa for short stays.
Schengen Tourist Visa (Multiple Entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
ValidityUp to 1 year or more
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Allows multiple entries; requires justification.
National Long-Stay Visa (D Visa)
Max stayOver 90 days
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€99 (~$108 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification; requires sponsorship.
work visa
Greek Work Visa (National D Visa)
1 year, renewable
€99 (~$108 USD) application fee
For employment in Greece. Requires a job offer and work permit from Greek authorities. Allows long-term residence.
student visa
Greek Student Visa
Up to 1 year, renewable
€99 (~$108 USD) application fee
For enrollment in a recognized Greek educational institution. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds.
digital nomad visa
Greek Digital Nomad Visa
1 year, renewable
€99 (~$108 USD) application fee
For remote workers with stable income. Requires proof of employment and minimum income threshold. Allows stay up to 1 year.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Schengen Tourist Visa (Single Entry)Standard fee for adults; reduced for children. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Schengen Tourist Visa (Multiple Entry)Same fee as single entry; allows multiple entries within validity. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Overstay Fine (per day)Applied for each day overstayed; maximum cap may apply. | €50 (~$54 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documents20%
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
Transit visa required
Vietnam passport holders need an airport transit visa to change flights in Greece unless they hold a valid visa or residence permit from a Schengen country, EU/EEA country, or certain other countries.
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid Schengen visa or residence permit
- Holders of a valid visa or residence permit from EU/EEA countries
- Holders of a valid visa from Canada, Japan, or the United States
Transit hubsAthens International Airport (ATH) · Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) · Heraklion Airport (HER)
Health & vaccines for Greece
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis ARecommendedTyphoidConsiderRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, influenza)Essential
Health risks
West Nile VirusLow risk
Mosquito-borne; risk in summer months, especially in rural areas.
Food and waterborne diseasesLow risk
Standard hygiene precautions recommended; tap water is generally safe.
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
Leof. Kifisias 7, 115 23 Athens
Mon–Fri 08:00–14:00
Main office for visa extensions and residence permits.
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki Immigration Office
Leof. Stratou 1, 546 35 Thessaloniki
Mon–Fri 08:00–14:00
Handles immigration matters for northern Greece.
Practical information for VN travellers
Country basics
CapitalAthens
LanguageGreek
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid. IDP recommended.
Money
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.86 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
Yes. Vietnam is not on the visa-waiver list for Greece. You must apply for a Schengen visa before you travel.
Processing usually takes 15–30 days. Apply at least 4–6 weeks before your planned departure to be safe.
At the Greek embassy in Hanoi or the consulate in Ho Chi Minh City. You'll need to book an appointment first.
A valid passport (6+ months validity), completed application form, passport-sized photos, travel insurance, flight and hotel bookings, proof of funds (bank statements), and a cover letter explaining your trip.
The Schengen visa fee is around €80 for adults (about 2 million VND). Additional service fees may apply at the embassy or visa application center.
No. The Schengen visa is not extendable for tourism. You must leave before your visa expires. Overstaying can result in fines or a ban.
You will be denied entry and sent back on the next available flight. You may also face a fine and a record that could affect future visa applications.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 25, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.