What to Know Before Traveling to Greece: Visa Guide 2026

Before traveling to Greece, you need to know the visa type, passport validity, island border visa and border control rules. Step-by-step guide and checklist.

The most important rule to know before traveling to Greece is the visa: Turkish citizens holding a maroon (ordinary) passport need a Schengen visa, and visas are not issued at the border gate. The only exception is the border-gate visa applied to sea crossings to certain Greek islands. This guide explains the requirements and the steps to take before setting off.

In short

A Schengen visa is mandatory for entry into mainland Greece and airports with a maroon passport; visas are not issued at the border.
The border-gate visa is valid only for the listed islands, for sea crossings from Turkey.
The passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the visa's expiry date.
Apply for the visa about a month in advance; processing takes 15-21 business days.
Leave extra time at the border due to EES registration.

The core rule: a Schengen visa is required

Turkish citizens holding an ordinary (maroon) passport are subject to a Schengen visa when traveling to Greece. A visa is also mandatory even if you are only transiting through Greece.

Key facts are as follows:

Visa type: Schengen visa.
Length of stay: up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Consular fee: €90 for an adult.
Processing time: 15-21 business days.
Schengen visas are not issued at border gates.

Due to the processing time, it is recommended to apply as early as possible, for example a month in advance. For appointment and document details, see our Greece visa page.

Visa requirements vary according to the traveler's passport type. In the sections below, we cover these differences and exceptions one by one.

Differences by passport type

The visa requirement depends on the color of the passport.

Maroon (ordinary) passport: A Schengen visa is required.
Green (special), gray (service) and diplomatic passports: Exempt from the visa.

Another group consists of citizens holding residence and work permits in a Schengen member country. These individuals are exempt from the visa when passing through Greece and may stay for 3 months for tourist purposes.

Passport validity

The passport must be valid for at least 3 months from the visa's expiry date. Check your passport's expiry date before applying for the visa; applying with a passport whose validity is too short wastes time.

We recommend not booking a hotel or ticket before clarifying your passport type and validity period prior to applying. A rejected or delayed visa directly affects your reservations.

Island border-gate visa: who, where, how

The simplified visa (border-gate visa) is the most practical exception for Turkish travelers. It covers the following islands: Lesbos (Midilli), Kalymnos (Kelemez), Limnos, Kos (İstanköy), Chios (Sakız), Samos (Sisam), Ikaria (İleriye), Rhodes (Rodos), Symi (Sömbeki), Kastellorizo (Meis), Patmos (Batnoz) and Samothrace (Semadirek).

The scope of the application is clearly defined:

It is valid only for travel by sea between Turkey and Greek ports.
It does not cover airports or mainland crossings.
It is valid only for the relevant islands; it cannot be used to cross to another Greek region.
The program has been extended for 1 more year, effective from April 1, 2026.

Sources differ on the fee. The fee collected by Greek authorities upon entry to the island is reported as 85 euros in 2026, with a visa valid for 1 to 7 days issued for each island visit. Some sources state 80 € and a 7-day single-entry visa. Check the current amount and duration before you go.

For travelers seeking an island itinerary, the Samos Island 2-night 3-day tour and the Rhodes tour departing from Marmaris fall under this scope. If you'd like to depart from Fethiye, you can check out the 4-night 5-day Rhodes tour.

Common mistakes

The most frequently encountered problems on trips to Greece are usually visa-related.

Mistaking the border-gate visa for mainland travel: The border-gate visa does not cover airports or mainland crossings. If you are flying to Athens or Thessaloniki, a Schengen visa is mandatory.
Crossing from an island to the mainland with a border-gate visa: This visa cannot be used in another region.
Expecting a visa at the border: Schengen visas are not issued at border gates.
Leaving the application to the last day: Processing takes 15-21 business days.
Not checking passport validity: At least 3 months of validity after the visa's expiry is required.
Assuming transit doesn't require a visa: A visa is also mandatory for transiting through Greece.

For those having trouble finding a visa appointment, our article on the Schengen visa crisis and the example of Greece explains the process. Frequent travelers can also check out the long-term visa option in our Schengen trusted traveler formula article.

New border control: EES

Greece has begun implementing the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) at all border gates as of April 10, 2026. The system involves recording biometric data, such as fingerprints, upon entry.

In practice, this means:

Extra time may be needed at the border gate for the registration process on first entry.
During busy periods, biometric data collection may be paused for limited times.
Keep connecting flights and ferry schedules flexible in case of queues and waiting.

Our recommendation: arrive at the port or airport at least a few hours before your ferry or flight, and leave extra time for passport control when planning connections. Also check your airline's current check-in and baggage rules in advance; see our online check-in guide for the steps.

Step by step: what to do before setting off

Check your passport. If it's a maroon passport, check its validity period; it must remain valid for at least 3 months after the visa expires.
Determine your route. If mainland or an airport is involved, a Schengen visa is required; if you will only travel to the listed islands by sea, the border-gate visa option applies.
Apply early. It's recommended to start about a month in advance. See our Greece visa page for the current document list.
Plan your length of stay. With a Schengen visa, you can stay up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Book transport and accommodation according to your visa. Don't make reservations that are hard to cancel before the visa is approved.
Choose your itinerary. You can look at ready-made options like the Greek islands cruise tour, or browse all tours abroad.
Leave time for the border. There may be waiting due to EES registration.

Checklist before you set off

Check off each of these items before departure:

Is your passport maroon, green or gray; is the visa situation clear based on its type?
Is the passport valid for at least 3 months after the visa's expiry?
If your route includes the mainland or an airport, has the Schengen visa been obtained?
If using the island border-gate visa, is the destination island on the list and is the crossing by sea?
Has the border-gate visa fee and duration been confirmed from a current source?
Does the length of stay not exceed 90 days within 180 days?
Are ferry, flight and hotel reservations compatible with the visa dates?
Have online check-in and baggage rules been checked according to your airline's current rules?
Has time been allowed for possible waiting at the border?

If you're planning a short holiday, our October 29 holiday abroad route suggestions may also give you ideas. For island options, you can also check out tours for this country.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go to Greece without a visa?

No, not for Turkish citizens holding a maroon passport; a Schengen visa is required. Holders of special (green), service (gray) and diplomatic passports are exempt from the visa. There is a border-gate visa application for sea travel to certain islands.

How long does it take to get a Greece Schengen visa?

Processing takes 15-21 business days. Therefore it's recommended to apply as early as possible, for example a month in advance.

How much does a Greece Schengen visa cost?

The Schengen (type C) visa consular fee is 90 euros for an adult. Check the current fee on the visa page before applying.

Which Greek islands does the border-gate visa cover?

It covers Lesbos (Midilli), Kalymnos (Kelemez), Limnos, Kos (İstanköy), Chios (Sakız), Samos (Sisam), Ikaria (İleriye), Rhodes (Rodos), Symi (Sömbeki), Kastellorizo (Meis), Patmos (Batnoz) and Samothrace (Semadirek). It is valid only for sea travel between Turkey and Greek ports.

Can you go to Athens with a border-gate visa?

No. The border-gate visa does not cover airports or mainland crossings; it is valid only for the relevant islands. A Schengen visa is required for mainland cities like Athens.

How many days can you stay in Greece with a visa?

The Schengen visa covers a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. With the border-gate visa, the duration is given upon entry to the island and varies between 1 and 7 days per island visit.