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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

South African citizens require a visa to enter the Schengen territory, i.e. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

At which Embassy/Consulate/ Visa Issuing Authority should you apply? Read More

– If you intend to visit only one Schengen country, you must apply at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority of that country.

– If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority that is your main destination (i.e. your longest stay).

– If you intend to visit several countries but do not have a main destination, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority of the country of your first point of entry. 

VISA INFORMATION

Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority

Visa can be applied for in the following cities: Cape Town, Durban,  Johannesburg.   Application will be processed by the Visa Application Centre for Greece

The Visa Issuing Authority (VAC) requires applicants to present themselves for biometrics

  • Applications shall be lodged no more than three months before the start of the intended visit
  • Both parents are required to appear at the interview for children below the age of 18 years or alternatively supply an affidavit as to why the parent cannot be in attendance.
  • Children under 12 don’t require biometrics

 

Johannesburg Visa Application Centre for Greece

Isle of Houghton office park, 2nd Floor, Harrow Court 1, 11 Boundary road, Houghton

Johannesburg

Email address: info.zagr@gvc24assist.eu

 

Submission time: 08:30-12:30 and 13:30-15:30 (Monday-Friday)

Passport collection time: 14:30-16:30 (Monday-Friday)

Cape Town Visa Application Centre for Greece

47 Strand Street, 5th Floor

8001 Cape Town

Email address: info.zagr@gvc24assist.eu

Submission time: 08:00-12:30 and 13:30-15:00 (Monday-Friday)

Passport collection time: 14:30-16:00 (Monday-Friday)

Durban Visa Application Centre For Greece

91 -123 Cowey Road, Unit 101A 1st Floor Essenwood

Durban

Email address: info.zagr@gvc24assist.eu

Submission time: 08:00-12:30 and 13:30-15:00 (Monday-Friday)

Passport collection time: 10:00-12:30 and 13:30-16:00 (Monday-Friday)

  • Valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity (after the return date of planned trip).
  • Passport must have a minimum of 3 blank pages
  • If not a SA citizen, a residence permit valid for a period of at least 3 months after the applicants last day of stay in the Schengen states.
  • Photocopy of BIOMETRIC PAGE of passport – preferably in colour
  • Photocopy of any previous SCHENGEN VISAS.
  • Photocopy of applicants ID Document
  • Duly completed (in capitals with black ink ) and signed “Harmonised Application For Schengen” form (the application form may be acquired free of charge at the consular departments of the foreign representatives or downloaded from the country’s website).
  • 2 x Identical Colour passport photographs  – must not be older than 30 days.
    • Size:  45mm x 35mm
    • No smiling, no head gear, no sunglasses etc
  • Photocopy of return flights clearly showing ​all ​flight sectors (​including to/from RSA).  Ensure trip(s) are no longer than 90 days in a 6 month period.  Passenger full name must be clear.
  • Proof of confirmed hotel accommodation for ​each night​ out of RSA.  ​Accommodation must state the traveller’s name, arrival date, departure date and the address of hotel.
  • If the applicant is staying with friends and family, the host must send a sworn affidavit invitation (that has been certified by the Greek National Police) confirming names, date and accommodation address.  Copy of hosts passport or ID.   Non-resident hosts must provide proof of ownership of property & a residence permit
  • Proof of residence is required by means of a Utility Bill showing residential address.
  • Travel/Health/Accident insurance: a one page document stating that the applicant is covered by a Schengen Travel Medical Insurance for the entire period of stay with a minimum medical coverage of the Rand equivalent of Euro 30 000 per person for all medical expenses including evacuation, repatriation dead or alive and emergency transportation as well as emergency on/out of hospital medical treatment occurring in any Schengen country. No quotations will be accepted
  • An original bank stamped, latest 3 months bank statements.
    • The statements cannot be older than 14 days from date of Visa Appointment.
    • Bank statements must reflect a monthly salary.
    • Bank Statements must be in English.
    • Approximate amount needs to be equivalent to a minimum of approximately ZAR 1100 per person per day.
    • All sponsorship letters must be certified.
    • Should your spouse/parent/partner be responsible for financial means, please supply a letter from spouse/parent/partner confirming responsibility and provide proof in the form of original bank stamped latest 3 months Bank Statements and a copy of their ID Document
    • Credit card statements or cash will not be accepted
    • Purchase of foreign currency will not be accepted
    • In case of an overdraft, an overdraft summary report from the bank must be submitted.
    • Please note that all foreign passport holders MUST supply 6 months recent bank statements
  • Letter of Employment
  • If employed:  the applicant needs to provide a signed original letter of employment stating salary/annual cost to company and date of employment inception and a certified copy of last three month payslips.
  • If self-employment (Directors, CEO, Board Members), the applicant needs to provide proof of company registration /commercial license and latest VAT certificate.
  • If pensioned or retired the applicant is required to provide proof of pensionership
  • If a student or scholar the applicant is required to provide a letter from the school/university confirming attendance (enrolment letter not accepted).

  • An official invitation letter by event organizer, reflecting full details and purpose of trip.
  • Enrolment/Entry tickets/Event program and an official letter of institution sending the applicant

  • An official letter from school confirming attendance.
  • Letter from parents, confirming that they support the student financially (see above) and proof of same Certified copies of parents ID or passport

  • An official letter from college/university confirming attendance or copy of student card.
  • Letter from parents, confirming that they support the student financially (see above) and proof of same Certified copies of parents ID or passport

New South African passports for minors under the age of 18 are being issued containing the details of the parents as a standard feature.  Children travelling on these new passports do not require any additional documentation when travelling abroad if accompanied by both parents.

If however the children are still travelling on the old passports then ​the following additional documents will be required for any minor travelling with a parent:

  • Copy of unabridged Birth Certificate
  • Copies of parents ID documents
  • Consent letter from each parent not accompanying the minor. ​
  • Both parents are required to appear at the interview for children below the age of 18 years or alternatively supply an affidavit as to why the parent cannot be in attendance.

  • An official business letter from a company in the Schengen state, as well as from the employer stating purpose and date of visit must be presented.
  • An official invitation letter from inviting company reflecting full details and purpose of trip.
    • Hotel reservation is required unless the invitation letter clearly states that accommodation is provided and details of same provided.
  • For conferences proof of registration and payment has to be submitted.

  • A letter of justification of the company and SA partner/branch explaining the purpose of the visit
  • A list of the participants

15 Working days

Visas will be issued for the period of intended stay only (ie. from date of arrival to date of departure)

Maximum 90 days per semester with multiple entries.

WEATHER

Greece has a Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunshine, mild temperatures and a limited amount of rainfall. Due to the country’s geographical position, its rugged relief and its distribution between the mainland and the sea, there is great variation in Greece’s climate.
In summer, the dry hot days are cooled by seasonal winds called the meltemi, while mountainous regions have generally lower temperatures.
The winters are mild in lowland areas, with a minimum amount of snow and ice, yet, mountains are usually snow-covered. Moreover, a common phenomenon is the occurrence of different climactic conditions during the same season (for instance, mild heat in coastal areas and cool temperatures in mountainous regions).

The best time to travel is May –  June and September – mid-October.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Country: Greece
Capital City: Athens
International Airports: – Alexandroupolis International Airport
– Athens International Airport
– Chania International Airport
– Corfu Island International Airport
– Heraklion International Airport
– Kalamata International Airport
– Kavala International Airport
– Kefalonia Island International Airport
– Kos Island International Airport
– Lemnos Island International Airport
– Mytilene Island International Airport
– Rhodes Island International Airport
– Samos Island International Airport
– Thessaloniki International Airport
– Zakynthos Island International Airport
Area: 301,338 km² Greece is made of three main geographical areas: Mainland, the Peloponnese Peninsula that is separated from the Mainland by the Canal of the Corinth Isthmus and approximately 6000 islands and islets that make up the Greek Archipelago
Population: 11.3 Million
Time Zone: 2 hours ahead of GMT (winter).Greece goes on summer time (one hour forward) from the last weekend in March to the last weekend in October.
Religion: Orthodox Greek Catholic
Language: Greek, but English is widely spoken and understood
Currency: Euro
Exchange Rate: Please consult your local bank as exchange rates fluctuate.
Credit Card Payment Availability: All credit cards accepted
ATM Accessibility: ATM’s are not readily available
Dialling Code: +30

TRAVEL TIPS

Electricity: The electrical current in Greece is 220V AC (50Hz). Some islands are 110 volts. If you are bringing your own equipment please remember to bring the required converters or transformer you will need.
Water: In the large cities it is safe to drink tap water. On the islands it is advisable to drink only bottled water.
Business Hours: Most government offices are open Mon – Fri only, from 08:00 – 15:00

Generally shops are open 08:30 -13:30 and 17:00 – 20:00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays whereas on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are only open from 08:00 – 14:30. All shops are closed on Sundays with the exception of gift shops in touristic areas.
Banking Hours: Mony – Thur from 08:00 – 14:30  & Fri – 08:00 – 13:30. They are closed on Public Holidays.
Photography Restrictions: While photographing is allowed in most museums, in some archaeological sites or museums, one is not permitted to take photos and the use of flash is disallowed as it damages the exhibits.
Tipping: Restaurant bills no longer include a service charge or tip and it is customary to leave 10% to 15%; also consider “rounding off” on larger bills; to the nearest 1€. Good taxi service merits a tip of 5% to 10%. (Greeks rarely tip taxi drivers, but tourists are expected to.) Hotel chambermaids should be left about 2€ per night per couple. Bellhops and doormen should be tipped 1€ to 5€, depending on the services they provide
Vaccination Requirements: No vaccinations required, however always consult with your medical practitioner or travel clinic.
Dress Code Restrictions: No dress code restrictions
Peculiar Customs to Observe: Greeks never hand a knife to someone because they believe it will bring a fight with the person. Therefore they set it down on the table and let the other person take it.

FESTIVALS

  • Carnival season (Apokreo), famous in Patra; peaks on the last Sunday before Lent – Mid-January–March
  • Greek Independence Day – 25 March
  • Athens & Epidavros Festival (music, opera, dance, and theater at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus beneath the Acropolis in Athens; drama and music at the Theater of Epidavros) – May – October
  • Miaoulia Festival, Hydra (naval festival, fireworks) – Late June (weekend)
  • Rockwave Festival – Malakasa – June/ July
  • Nafplio Festival (classical music) – Late June–early July
  • Naxos Festival – Bazeos Tower, Naxos island – July and August
  • Ancient Olympia International Festival (music, dance, and theater at the site of the ancient Olympics) – July–August
  • Megaro Gyzi Festival – Santorini island – August
  • Sani Festival – Sani Halkidiki – July to September
  • Athens International Film Festival – mid to end September
  • Athens marathon -early November
  • Thessaloniki International Film Festival – November

MAP

“Happy is the man, I thought, who, before dying, has the good
fortune to sail the Aegean Sea.”

– Nikos Kazantzakis