Kat Reply:
July 5th, 2009 at 22:00

Hi Viktor. This is an excellent question, and thank you for asking. As I understand, you need to fly a courtesy Greek flag and ‘Q’ flag until Port Authorities in Limnos (port of entry) come board and check the ship’s papers and your passport. They’ll issue a Transit Log that allows you to sail in Greek waters, and it may be inspected by Port Authorities in other places you land. However, Immigration will not stamp passports on entry to Greece or on exit when abroad a private boat/yacht.

Kat Reply:
July 17th, 2009 at 21:13

Do you see Serbia and Montenegro on the visa-free list? No. Then the answer is no. Please read more carefully or future questions will be deleted per my policy.

Kat Reply:
July 24th, 2009 at 23:09

It is not incomplete. By law, EU directive and in theory, spouses of EU citizens should enjoy preferential treatment. However, in reality this is not necessarily true, and I can give at least two dozen examples in my circle alone where that was not the case.

In short, “it depends” on several factors like many things concerning Greece. This is one reason I encourage people to check directly with the Greek Consulate or Embassy, and I point out that “results may vary” in my Warning and Disclaimer.

Kat Reply:
August 9th, 2009 at 23:56

You’re right. A number of countries were added on May 29, 2009 to the Schengen visa-waiver list, and I amended all relevant articles accordingly. Thank you for pointing it out.

Kat Reply:
January 22nd, 2010 at 21:24

No necesita la visa turística para Grecia. Disfrute sus vacaciones!

You do not need a tourist visa for Greece. Enjoy your vacation!

Kat Reply:
December 8th, 2010 at 01:15

The student visa entitles you to live in Greece, without applying for a residence permit. If it is a multiple-entry visa, then you can travel outside and re-enter for as many times as it lists. However, if it is a single-entry visa and you plan on traveling and re-entering Greece a second or third time time, then you need to apply for a residence permit.

You would also need to apply for Greek residence permit if you plan on working in Greece. A student visa entitles you to a residence permit allowing you to work part time for up to 6 months. But if you have no plans to work here, no need to apply for a permit. Just enjoy yourself.

Thank you for your question. It was a good one.

Kat Reply:
December 22nd, 2010 at 16:54

It should say clearly if it is Schengen.

If it is not a Schengen visa, then it is a national D visa that only allows you to travel to/from/within Greece. Therefore, you must secure visas from the consulate or embassy representing the country to which you would like to travel. For example, if you wish to travel to Italy, you must go to the Italian embassy/consulate in Greece and apply for a visa.

Kat Reply:
January 19th, 2011 at 02:37

Hi Nancy,

Please understand that I am firm with people who have plagiarized, slandered, threatened or heckled me previously — usually for not being Greek — and (ironically) used my information. And even then, I’m still nice. My policy says I delete redundant questions, but I often show forgiveness, publish them anyway and repeat myself. I may soon enforce the policy as written because I cannot continue to stay up until 3 a.m. to help people. It’s not necessary to compliment me to receive help.

The Schengen rule is a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. The 180 days starts on the day you enter the Schengen zone. Assuming your Frankfurt layover is not the day before on February 16, your 180 days starts running on February 17. That means you can stay in Schengen (including Greece) for a maximum of 90 days until August 17, which is 180 days from February 17. You’re in the clear.

By the time you come back in October, the maximum 90 days in any 180-day period will not be a factor. It would only be a factor if you came back before August 17. So if you arrive on October 1, you can stay another 90 days until approximately April 1 2012, which is 180 days from October 1.

Can you see how the maximum 90 days in any 180-day period works? It’s not a matter of staying out for 90 days or 180 days. It’s a matter of how many of those 90 days was used in any 180-day period.

The itinerary you have planned will not cause you to overstay your visa in Greece, so enjoy your trip and best of luck with the house. Hope to see you here again!

Kat Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 00:19

Hi Rhonda, this is true.

As I detail above, Australian passport holders can be in Schengen for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. So if he’s been in Norway for 90 days, he needs to leave Schengen for 90 days before he can return. The only way around this would have been to apply for and be issued a long-stay visa before he departed Australia and/or qualified for a residence permit in Norway or another Schengen country to stay longer.

If he tries to come back sooner, he will almost certainly be denied entry.

He could stay longer than 90 days, but he’ll be fined for overstaying his visa upon leaving Norway/Schengen and penalties are quite steep, plus possible blacklisting up to five years.

Kat Reply:
March 20th, 2011 at 01:41

In order to travel visa-free to The Netherlands (or, as you called it, Holland), you must be a citizen and have a passport from one of the Schengen, EU or non-EU countries listed above; or have a residence permit from one of the Schengen or EU countries listed above.

Somali and Bosnia are on none of these lists. Therefore, you need to go to the nearest Dutch embassy/consulate and apply for a visa.

Kat Reply:
April 9th, 2011 at 14:11

Under ‘Glossary‘ and ‘Completing application SET(M) as the husband/wife of a UK citizen‘ at the UK Border Agency, it says indefinite leave to remain (ILR) is “permission to stay permanently (settle) in the United Kingdom, free from immigration control.”

Under ‘Travelling Abroad,’ it says “you are free to travel abroad and return, provided you can show the immigration officer evidence in your passport or travel document that you have indefinite leave to remain.”

Then under ‘Visas for Foreign Citizens‘ at the Greek Embassy in the UK, it says “Family members of EU/EEA/CH nationals who are holders of the relevant British residence documentation (photo) do NOT require a visa in order to enter Greece, under the condition they are accompanied by the EU citizen or they are going to join him/her.” Please click the link I gave, look at the photo and check through the list of answers to frequently asked questions. I suspect you do not need a visa for Greece, but I cannot see what residence document you have.

I found these answers with a simple Google search, even though I am not living in the UK or the spouse of a UK citizen. Take advantage of the UK’s ample resources and helpful Contact offices.

Have a nice trip!

Kat Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 13:27

The answer to your question is in the article above under ‘If you have a residence/work permit.’

You provided insufficient info for me to help further, I know nothing about Romanian work permits, and I do not speak/read Romanian. Through a simple Google search, I found the Interior Ministry of Romania and a link on this page: http://www.mai.gov.ro/engleza/index02.htm#util

…which led me to this page about permits. Look under ‘Cetateni non-EU’: http://ori.mai.gov.ro/

Contact local authorities for more information about what rights you have been granted with the permit.

Kat Reply:
May 7th, 2011 at 01:13

Is Philippines on the list of visa-free non-EU countries? No.

Being married to a Cypriot, see “If you are married to a Greek or EU citizen.”

Kat Reply:
May 9th, 2011 at 17:51

Is Cuba on the list of non-EU countries? No. Is the USA on the list of EU/Schengen countries? No. You need a visa.

Kat Reply:
May 10th, 2011 at 23:41

You did not provide enough information for me to help you. However, If you mean the UK, then please see the same answer I gave commentator ‘Eloise’ above as she’s also a South African passport holder, holds the same type of permit and asked the same question. All best.

Kat Reply:
May 16th, 2011 at 19:05

As I said to Candice and Eloise who asked the same question, I am an expert on Greece. I am not versed on UK laws or UK residence/work permits, and I don’t have time or desire to learn, so I do not know what this permit entitles you to do or if it replaces the need for a visa. Other than the Greek embassy, you can take advantage of the UK’s ample resources by following the links I provided in response to Eloise and/or inquire at the UK Border Agency Contact Offices.

The typical way to plan a holiday is to first see if you need a visa, then book tickets and accommodation, not the other way around.

Kat Reply:
June 16th, 2011 at 23:27

Please read the advice I give under, “If you have a residence/work permit” and contact the UKBA http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk. All best.

Kat Reply:
July 3rd, 2011 at 14:17

See my answer under, “If you have a residence/work permit.” Call Finnish authorities about what your legal status entitles you to do, and call the Greek consulate/embassy nearest you to inquire if you need a visa.

Kat Reply:
July 5th, 2011 at 15:37

See my answer under, “If you have a residence/work permit.” Call French authorities about what your residence card entitles you to do, and call the Greek consulate/embassy nearest you to inquire if you need a visa.

Note to All: If people keep asking questions that are already answered in the article above, I will close this post to comments.

Kat Reply:
August 17th, 2011 at 01:29

Danish is not one of the four languages I speak or write, so please translate.

As I say in the article above under “If you have a residence/work permit,” most non-EU citizens with a permit issued by an EU country can travel to Greece without a visa. However, I advise you to confirm information with your government and the Greek embassy/consulate nearest you.

I found this with a simple Google search: Danish Immigration Agency http://www.nyidanmark.dk/

Embassy of Greece in Denmark:
4, Hammerensgade 3rd floor 1267 Copenhagen
Tel.: +45 33 114533
E-mail: greekembcop@post.tele.dk

Kat Reply:
August 22nd, 2011 at 22:43

Best answer and advice I can give is already listed under “If you have a residence/work permit.” Please confirm with local authorities.

Kat Reply:
August 29th, 2011 at 01:45

I’ve seen people travel with less, but technically your passport is supposed to be valid for at least three (3) months after the date of departure. So if you’re departing September 10, your passport should be valid until December 10. You’re fine. Thanks for your question.

Kat Reply:
August 29th, 2011 at 23:47

A residence visa or a residence permit? Please follow the advice I give under ‘If you have a residence/work permit.’

Kat Reply:
December 5th, 2011 at 05:57

Question is already answered in the above article.

Kat Reply:
March 31st, 2012 at 18:48

Quoted from the section ‘If you have a residence/work permit’:

“The EU is not one country and it is therefore impossible for me to know the different and ever-changing laws governing every permit issued in 27 separate countries and what rights are granted to those who hold them. You are encouraged to contact local authorities — usually the interior ministry, border agency or immigration center — about what your permit entitles you to do; and the Greek embassy/consulate of your current country of residence to verify if you need a visa to visit Greece.”

Please contact the UKBA or the Greek Embassy in London to confirm.

Kat Reply:
April 21st, 2012 at 12:55

Please read the answer I gave ‘Dee’ right above you.

Kat Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at 21:47

I do not know what an emergency passport entitles you to do. Please seek advice from the SA embassy/consulate. Do you need a visa for Greece? Please see my advice under “If you have a residence/work permit.”

Kat Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at 21:44

Please see my advice under “If you have a residence/work permit.” All best.

Kat Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 13:57

You did not provide enough information — I do not know which residence card you have, what it entitles you to do or where you live. You or your spouse can ask local authorities where your permit allows you to travel or call the Greek embassy/consulate nearest your residence, as it says in the article above.

Kat Reply:
May 23rd, 2012 at 00:14

Traveling with your spouse grants no special privileges as stated in the first sentence of ‘If you are married to a Greek or EU citizen.’

Under ‘If you have a residence/work permit,’ please see advice given in the second paragraph. All best.

Kat Reply:
May 28th, 2012 at 01:19

Please see the same answer I gave ‘Kat’ right above you.

Kat Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 23:16

In reading your question, I could not understand what “rights” you mean — travel, visa, health coverage, citizenship?

If you were a sketo Australian citizen, you are allowed 90 days stay in any 180-day period the Schengen zone, which includes Greece.

However, because you were born in Greece and have Greek parents, it’s possible you are a Greek citizen, can renew your Greek passport and stay indefinitely as you are past the age of military draft. There’s no way for me to know based on the information you gave, though you could find out by accessing your oikogeneiaki merida located (possibly) in Chalkida.

Australia and Greece allow dual citizenship, so you could not have lost one or the other for this reason.

Kat Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 18:42

As it says in the article above, you need to inquire with the Greek embassy in Cyprus on whether you need a visa and/or the interior ministry of Cyprus about what your residence permit entitles you to do. There’s no way I can know the laws and rights of thousands of permits issued in the EU.

Kat Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 18:40

As I say in the article above, you need to inquire with the Greek embassy in Romania on whether you need a visa and/or the Romanian interior ministry on what your resident permit entitles you to do.

Kat is a woman’s name, so I am not a sir.

Kat Reply:
June 18th, 2012 at 22:20

Answer 1:
As I say above, her citizenship and type of permit are the only factors that determine whether she needs a visa. To answer your question, you need to consult the Greek embassy nearest you or ask the UKBA if her permit allows it.

I cannot give more specific information because I’ve never lived in the UK and it’s impossible for me to learn laws governing thousands of permits issued in countries worldwide. It’s the same answer I’ve given in the article and to other UK commentators asking the same questions.

Wishing you all the best.

Answer 2:
What you were told is only partially correct, which isn’t a surprise since SA staff have no expertise on UK permits. Your mother need not be traveling with you if her permit allows it, and you will be standing in separate lines for passport control — you’ll be in the EEA/EU line, and she in the non-EEA/EU line.

Have a good trip!

Kat Reply:
June 26th, 2012 at 13:15

Please see the section, “If you have a residence/work permit.”

It’s the same answer I gave to the same/similar questions concerning non-EU citizens connected to EU citizens in the UK. See commentators above you: Janet, Sandy, Kat, Emmanuel, Dee, Rhea, Samroon, Aune, Candice and Eloise.

All best.