Greece
About
| Often regarded as the birthplace of European civilization, Greece offers a mix of ancient archaeological sites, modern hotels, rustic tavernas, family-orientated seaside resorts and lively night clubs. Do not miss the Hellenic Festival in Jun-Sep, which sees music, dance and theatre performances held in the second-century AD Odeion of Herodes in Athens. There is a beach for every preference, for the family, for singles, for nudists, for sun worshippers. Sail Greece's myriad islands. Depending on experience, visitors can go bareboat (chartering just the boat), flotilla (as part of a group of yachts lead by an expert) or skippered. Several tour operators and independent companies offer all-inclusive sailing holidays in Greece. The shallow, fast-flowing rivers of mainland Greece offer excellent facilities for water-based adventure sports such as rafting, kayaking and canoeing. Sea-kayaking is also becoming increasingly popular on the islands. |
|
| Formal Name: | Hellenic Republic |
| Local Name: | Ellás |
| Local Formal Name: | Elliniki Dhimokratia |
| Capital: | Athens (ATH) |
| Currency: | Euro (EUR) |
| Language: | Greek. English, French, German and Italian may be spoken in the tourism industry. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 30 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT +2 (same time as South Africa) |
| Daylight Savings Time: | From last Sun in March to last Sun in Oct: UTC / GMT +3 (1 hour ahead of South Africa) |
| Public Holidays: |
Mar 25; Apr 21; May 1; Aug 15; Dec 25-26 |
| Side of the Road: | Right. |
| Best Time to Go: | June – August. 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. |
| Best for: | Mediterranean Beaches, Historic Sightseeing, UNESCO World Heritage Sites |
| Plugs: | 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used |
| Drinking Water: | 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. |
| Health: | Healthcare facilities in Athens are good, but less so elsewhere. If visiting outside of Athens, and you require any medication on your travels, it is best to bring it with you, in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it. Visitors are required to pay for healthcare services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended, and it should include emergency air evacuation coverage. Note that there are reports of underhanded dealings by healthcare professionals, particularly in public hospitals. |
| Customs: | Normal social courtesies. If visiting a church, dress should be conservative: men should wear long pants, and women should keep their arms and legs covered. Attempts at speaking the language / greeting in the language will be appreciated. |
| Local Offences / Laws: | Indecent behaviour and public drunkenness is not tolerated and will be fined. Identification should be carried at all times. Smoking is prohibited in public areas. If you will be driving, be sure to know and follow the traffic regulations, as fines will be issued for disobeying them. Greece has very strict laws against drug use. |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | When travelling in Greece, you are protected by the Greek consumer protection law (read more). Strikes can inconvenience travellers, but are usually non-violent. However it is advisable to avoid areas where there are protests. Some restaurants and stores may not accept credit cards, be sure to carry cash. Most street signs are in Greek and English. Public transport may be preferable to driving on Greek roads. |
| Duty Free: | If you are travelling from within the EU, there is no limit on the amount or value of goods you may import, providing your goods are for personal consumption. Goods imported for commercial purposes are subject to duty and the following guideline amounts are in place to determine whether this is the case: • 800 cigarettes or 200 cigars or 400 cigarillos or 1kg of tobacco • 10L of spirits (over 22%), 20L of spirits (under 22%), 90L of wine and 110L of beer If you're arriving from a non-EU country, the following goods may be imported into Greece by travellers over 17 years of age: • 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco (if arriving by air) • 40 cigarettes or 20 cigarillos or 10 cigars or 50g of tobacco (if arriving by other means) • 1L of spirits over 22% volume or 2L of spirits up to 22% volume • 4L of wine • 16 L of beer • 50ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de cologne • Gifts up to a value of €430 if arriving by sea or air or €300 if arriving by other means (reduced to €150 for children under 15). |
| Prohibited Imports: | The import of soil (as well as plants) and certain animals is restricted. The import of meat, meat products, milk and milk products from outside the EU is also restricted. Firearms, explosive and drugs are very tightly controlled. |
Issuing Authorities
Embassy of Greece, Pretoria
235 Veale Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, 0181
Tel: 012 348 2352
Email: gremb.pre@mfa.gr
Web: www.mfa.gr/pretoria
Consular section:
Tel: 012 348 2352
Email: grcon.pre@mfa.gr
Consulate General in Johannesburg
Fortune Kunene House, 261 Oxford Road, Illovo, 2196 Johannesburg
Tel. 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
Tel. 021 424 8160 / 1
Email: grcon.cpt@mfa.gr
Honorary Consul located in Durban.
NOTE:
The embassy does not process visas.
National visas are issued by the Consulate General in Johannesburg or the Consulate in Cape Town.
Schengen visa applications are through Global Visa Centre World.
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.
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.
Tel: 012 425 3018
Email: info.zagr@gvc24assist.eu
Web: https://za-gr.gvcworld.eu/en
Hours: Mon-Fri: 08:00 - 12:00, 13:00 - 16:00
JNB: Isle of Houghton Office Park, 2nd Floor, Harrow Court 1, 11 Boundary Road, Houghton
CPT: 2 Long Street, 8th Floor, Cape Town
DUR: 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.
REQUIREMENTS
See General Schengen Requirements.
In addition to the general requirements:
- Visa application form: completed online (https://za-gr.gvcworld.eu/en) and submitted electronically. A copy of this form should also be printed. NOTE: The form must be signed at the Visa Application Centre in front of the officer. For minors, the form must be signed by both parents at the VAC in front of the officer.
- 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: EUR90
Children (6-12): EUR45
Children (under 6): Free
Service Fee: ZAR 600
SA Representative
South African Embassy
60 Kiffisias Ave.,15125, Athens, Greece
Tel: + 30 210 617 8020
E-mail: athens.consular@dirco.gov.za
Web: https://dirco1.azurewebsites.net/athens/
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | None |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio |
