The National Visa (Type D) is a permit issued by the official authorities of Greece for individuals who intend to stay for more than 90 days and up to one year. This visa is issued based on the internal regulations of Greece or the European Union laws regarding the stay of nationals from non-European countries. The responsible authority for issuing this visa is the Greek embassies or consulates in the country where the applicant is legally residing.
Applicants for a long-term visa can submit their application through authorized centers. To schedule an appointment, please use this link.
After submitting the application, individuals must personally attend the Greek embassy or consulate in their country of legal residence. During this meeting, the purpose of their travel and stay will be reviewed, and based on this, a decision on issuing the visa will be made.
The National Visa is usually issued for purposes such as studying, voluntary work, temporary employment for members of artistic groups and tour guides, as well as for individuals with sufficient financial means and digital nomads. The details of the required documents and specific conditions for each of these categories can be found in the relevant sections below.
- Board members, shareholders, executive directors, legal representatives, and senior managers (including general managers) of companies registered in Greece.
- Intra-company transfer (ICT) for entry and stay.
- Members of artistic groups.
- Non-EU citizens transferred by international companies to provide services to branches located in Greece.
- Tour guides.
- Digital nomads.
- Individuals with financial means.
- University education at AEI (Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees).
- Voluntary work.
- Special programs for students.
The National Visa (Type D) is issued to applicants from third countries who wish to stay long-term in Greece under specific conditions. To obtain this visa, individuals must submit the following documents to the diplomatic or consular representations:
1- Visa Application Form: The completed and signed form, along with a recent photo with a light background that complies with ICAO standards. Additionally, this form must include an official statement confirming the accuracy of the provided information and documents.
2- Valid Passport: The travel document must meet the following conditions:
- It should be valid for at least three months after the intended departure date from the Schengen Area (this condition may be waived in exceptional cases).
- It must have at least two blank pages.
- It should have been issued within the last ten years.
3- Criminal Record Certificate: The applicant must provide an official certificate from the authorities of their country of residence confirming no criminal record. If the individual has lived in a country other than their home country for more than a year, additional documents may be requested to review their criminal history. In cases where a criminal record exists, the severity and recurrence of the crime will influence the decision.
4- Health Certificate: The applicant must provide a medical certificate from a reputable public or private medical center confirming no contagious diseases or any illness that could pose a public health threat. More information on the diseases examined at this stage can be found on the website of the National Public Health Organization of Greece (EODY).
Note: Please download, print, and submit the medical certificate along with other required documents at the visa application center.
5- Travel Insurance: The applicant must provide insurance that covers the entire validity period of the visa and covers potential costs, including emergency return, urgent medical care, or hospitalization.
6- Other Conditions: In addition to the documents listed above, the applicant must not pose a threat to public security, internal order, public health, or Greece's international relations. They should also not be listed as undesirable in relevant databases.
The diplomatic or consular representation has the authority to request additional documents for further review of the application if necessary.
Regulations and Laws Regarding the National Visa for Greece
According to Article 5, Paragraph 7 of Law 4251/2014, the National Visa (Type D) is issued in accordance with the regulations regarding the issuance and renewal of residence permits. The validity period of this visa depends on the type of residence the applicant intends to have.
Additionally, the Ministerial Decree (F3497.3/AP24245/2014), published in the Official Gazette of Greece (Issue 1820, Part B), specifies the required documents and the process for issuing long-term National Entry Visas. Furthermore, the Joint Ministerial Decree No. 30825/14, published in the Official Gazette of Greece (Issue 1528, Part B), sets out the details regarding the necessary documents for obtaining a National Visa and the regulations concerning the issuance and renewal of residence permits.
According to Regulation (EC) No. 539/2001 of the Council of the European Union, adopted on March 15, 2001, and subsequently amended, the National Entry Visa is issued regardless of whether the applicant is a national of a country that requires a visa to enter Greece. However, holding a National Visa does not guarantee entry rights, and the conditions of entry may be assessed upon arrival in the country.
It is worth noting that compliance with the provisions of Paragraph 1, Article 136 of Law 4251/2014 does not affect the decision regarding the issuance of the National Visa, which falls under the exclusive competence of the diplomatic representations or consular offices of Greece.