- Capital
- Athens (ATH)
- Dialing Code
- +30
- Time Zone
- UTC / GMT +2
- Daylight Savings Time
- Last Sunday of March - last Sunday of October: UTC / GMT +3
- Language
- Greek
- Best Time to Go
- June - August
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
Travel Tips
- Late Spring (April – May) and Autumn (Late August – September) are good months to visit if you want to enjoy the warm weather but miss the crowds
- When travelling in Greece, you are protected by the Greek consumer protection law
- English, French, German and Italian may be spoken in the tourism industry
- Strikes can inconvenience travellers, but are usually non-violent. However it is advisable to avoid areas where there are protests
- If visiting a church, dress should be conservative: men should wear long pants, and women should keep their arms and legs covered
- Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. Outside of the main towns, and on the islands, water may be contaminated and bottled water should be used
Last updated 30 September 2026
Visa Guide
Foreign Representation in South Africa
Embassy of Greece, Pretoria
235 Veale Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, 0181
Telephone: 012 348 2352
Email: gremb.pre@mfa.gr
Website: www.mfa.gr/pretoria
Consular section:
Telephone: 012 348 2352
Email: grcon.pre@mfa.gr
Consulate General in Johannesburg
Fortune Kunene House, 261 Oxford Road, Illovo, 2196 Johannesburg
Telephone: 011 2142300
Email: grgencon.jhb@mfa.gr
Web: www.mfa.gr/johannesburg
Consulate in Cape Town
19th Floor, Reserve Bank Building, 60 St George's Mall, Cape Town
Telephone: 021 424 8160 / 1
Email: grcon.cpt@mfa.gr
Honorary Consul located in Durban.
Public Holidays
2026
January: 1, 6
February: 23
March: 25
April: 10, 13
May: 1
June: 1
August: 15
December: 25-26
Visa Application Centre
Global Visa Centre World:
Visa applications must be submitted in person at one of the below Global Visa Centre World offices. You will need to create an account on the website, and apply for an appointment
Telephone: 012 425 3018
info.zagr@gvc24assist.eu
za-gr.gvcworld.eu/en
Hours: Monday - Friday, 08:00 - 12:00 & 13:00 - 16:00
Johannesburg: Isle of Houghton Office Park, 2nd Floor, Harrow Court 1, 11 Boundary Road, Houghton
Cape Town: 2 Long Street, 8th Floor, Cape Town
Durban: Unit 409, 4th Floor, 91-123 Cowey Road, (Problem Mkhize Road), Essenwood
- Applicants that reside in Western Cape, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape must apply at the Greece Visa Application Center in Cape Town
- Applications may also be done online prior to your appointment at the VA
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by South African passport holders
- Visa is required for Cruise passengers when itinerary includes call at Greek port
Greece is a member of the Schengen Agreement
- If you intend to visit only Greece, you must apply at the Greece Embassy / Consulate / Visa Application Centre
- If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate that is your main destination / longest stay
- If you intend to visit several countries but are spending an equal number of days in each, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country of your first point of entry
Requirements:
See General Schengen Requirements
In addition to the general requirements:
- Visa application form (preferably completed online)
- Data Protection Information form to be printed and included with supporting documents
- Copy of bio page of passport and all visa pages
- Full itinerary of stay, including flight reservations, showing dates and destinations
- Copy of insurance policy to be addressed to Greek General Consulate
- Proof of Accommodation: hotel/ rental of holiday home/ campus residence/ tour vouchers confirmed reservation. It should clearly state the name of the applicant, arrival and departure date, address of the hotel and contact details of the hotel. All confirmation of vouchers should be from the hotel and not via travel agent/ company. If the name of the applicant is not stated on the booking confirmation, the person who booked the accommodation and whose name is stated on the booking confirmation must provide a certified letter confirming that the applicant will be staying with him/ her and a copy of his/ her ID/ passport. If the applicant is also travelling to other Schengen States, proof of accommodation in each of the Member State should be submitted
- For Cruise Passengers: full itinerary with passenger details from the company along with proof of payment
- Original, most recent 3 month bank statements, not older than 14 days. Original Ink Stamp on each page for Johannesburg / Durban, E-Stamp for Cape Town
- If the applicant is sponsored, the applicant should submit the sponsor’s bank statement of the last three months with an original ink bank stamp on each page showing sufficient funds, a certified sponsorship letter signed by the sponsor and the ID/ PASSPORT copy of the sponsor
Visa Processing Time
Visas can take up to 15 days to process. Applications may be submitted at the earliest six (6) months before departure
Visa Cost
Adults: EUR 90
Children (6-12): EUR 45
Children (under 6): Free
Service Fee: EUR 30
The fees are calculated according to exchange rates, and should be confirmed with the visa application centre before making payment
Health / Vaccinations
Compulsory:
- None
Recommended Travel Vaccines:
- Hepatitis B
- Tetanus
- Polio
South African Representative Abroad
South African Embassy
60 Kiffisias Ave.,15125, Athens, Greece
Telephone: + 30 210 617 8020
E-mail: athens.consular@dirco.gov.za
Website: dirco1.azurewebsites.net/athens/