How to Get a Student Visa for Greece (6 Steps)

With its beautiful beaches, historic sites, and balmy weather, Greece is a haven for vacationers. And unbeknownst to many, there are many excellent universities in Greece.

For one, tuition can be very affordable. Public higher education institutions in Greece generally do not charge tuition for first-cycle degrees, including for international students, with exceptions such as the Hellenic Open University and undergraduate programs taught in a foreign language. For postgraduate and international programs, fees vary by program; Study in Greece lists international graduate and postgraduate tuition at an average of €3,000 to €7,000 per year.

If you hold a passport from an EU member state, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, you do not need a visa to study in Greece. If your passport is from outside the EU/EEA and your studies in Greece will last more than three months, you generally need to apply for a National D student visa before traveling to Greece and then apply for a residence permit after arrival. Short-stay visa-free status for tourism does not remove the National D visa requirement for long-term studies.

But if you need a National D student visa for Greece, then here’s the process of getting one.

Steps on Applying for a Greek Student Visa

Here are the steps you need to take to get a Greek student visa:

Step 1. Complete All the Necessary Documents

You need to fill out the application form for a long-stay visa and prepare the required supporting documents. Requirements can vary by Greek consular authority, so check the instructions of the Greek consulate or visa application center responsible for your place of legal residence before applying.

Step 2. Schedule an Interview Appointment with the Consulate in Your Area

Book an appointment with the Greek consular authority or visa application center responsible for your place of legal residence.

Attend your appointment and interview.

The Greek consular officer will ask about the purpose of your stay in Greece, which in this case is to study.

After the interview, you will submit your supporting documents.

The consular authority or visa application center may collect biometric data, including your photograph and fingerprints, where required.

Step 3. Pay the Visa Fee

Foreigners applying for a Greek National D student visa need to pay a visa fee of €90, or about $104. Depending on the consulate or visa application center, you may need to pay the fee at the embassy, at a visa application center, or through another approved payment method. Local service fees may also apply.

Step 4. Wait for Your Visa to be Processed

Greek student visa processing times vary by consular authority and by case. Apply early and follow the timeline provided by the Greek consulate or visa application center handling your application.

It is important to note that those who have previously been denied entry to Greece may have their application rejected.

Other grounds for refusal may include:

• Use of false, counterfeit, or forged documents
• Provision of misleading or deceptive information
• Failure to prove the purpose and conditions of the intended stay
• An alert in the Schengen Information System or a national entry prohibition list
• A possible threat to public order, internal security, public health, or international relations

If your application is denied, you may have the right to appeal within 90 days from the date the decision is issued.

Step 5. Obtain Your Visa

Once you have your student visa for Greece, you may travel to Greece and get settled.

Step 6. Apply for a Residence Permit

After you arrive in Greece, apply for a residence permit for studies immediately and before your visa expires. This is required for non-EU/EEA students staying in Greece for study after entry on a National D visa.

To apply, use the residence permit application form and follow the instructions of the competent Greek immigration authority or official online application system for your place of residence.

You will generally need to submit documents such as proof of acceptance or registration, proof of sufficient funds, proof of insurance, your passport, your National D visa, and any additional documents requested by the authorities.

The fee for a residence permit for studies is €150 per year, or about $174.

A residence permit for studies is usually valid for one year and renewable. It may also be issued for a shorter period if the study program is shorter, or for a multi-year period when the required supporting documents are provided.

Once you have a valid residence permit or a valid long-stay visa, you may travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, provided you meet the entry conditions.

Documents Needed for Greek Student Visa Applications

Here are the documents you need to submit when applying for a Greek student visa, also known as a National D visa:

Note: Check your consulate’s translation and legalization instructions if your documents are not in Greek or English.

Accomplished Application Form

You will need to fill out the application form for a long-stay visa. You will need to provide your personal details, information about your travel document, and the purpose of your journey.

Since you intend to study in Greece, you will need to answer the following questions regarding your institution:

• Name of institution
• Address
• Telephone number and email address
• Intended start date
• End of study date

Valid Passport

Your passport should be valid for at least three months after your intended date of departure from Greece or the Schengen area. It should have at least two blank pages and should have been issued within the previous 10 years.

ID Photos

For your Greek student visa, you need to submit a recent color photograph that meets ICAO standards. Check the instructions of your consulate or visa application center to confirm whether additional photo copies are required.

Proof of Registration

You may need to submit proof of acceptance, proof of registration, or another document showing that you have been admitted to a specific course or higher education institution in Greece.

You may also need to provide a receipt or confirmation showing that you have paid the required enrollment fees, where applicable.

Proof of English and/or Greek Proficiency

If your program requires Greek language proficiency, you may need to submit documentation showing sufficient knowledge of Greek. If the program is taught in English or another language, follow the language proof requirements set by your university and the consular authority.

Proof of Medical Insurance

You need travel insurance valid for at least the duration of the visa issued. It should cover expenses that may arise for repatriation, urgent medical attention, and emergency hospital treatment. Additional health insurance requirements may apply when you apply for a residence permit.

Proof of Status

Submit civil-status or family documents, such as a marriage certificate, divorce certificate, or children’s birth certificates, only if they are relevant to your application or requested by the consular authority.

Means of Subsistence

You are required to submit documents proving that you can support yourself financially throughout your studies. For student visa and residence permit purposes, the expected amount is at least €400, or about $464, per month. This may be shown through documents such as a bank deposit, regular bank transfer, scholarship, or salary evidence where applicable.

Medical Certificate

Your certificate should show that you do not have an infectious or contagious disease that could pose a risk to public health.

A recognized public or private institution may issue this certificate.

Certificate of Criminal Record

This should certify your criminal record status in your country of residence. The consular authority may ask for additional criminal record documentation if you have lived in another country.

Consent from Parents

If you are under 18, you will need to submit written parental consent or consent from the person exercising parental authority.

FAQs: Student Visa Applications for Greece

We hope that this article on how to get a student visa in Greece was helpful. If you are interested in studying in Europe, make sure to check out Available Programs in Europe for International Students.