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Visa Information
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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

Fill out the “Common Schengen Application Form” in capital letters and sign it.
Available for free download from consular websites or at consular offices.

Must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your last day in the Schengen area.
Issued within the last 10 years.
Must have two blank pages for the visa.

Note: Temporary South African passports are generally not accepted by most Schengen states. Confirm their acceptability beforehand.

Provide two recent colour passport-sized photographs.

If not a South African citizen, provide a residence permit valid for at least 3 months after your last day in the Schengen area.

Obtain any required visa for your final country of destination before applying for a Schengen visa, if applicable.

Provide proof of payment for the visa fee.

Submit a round-trip reservation or itinerary showing entry and exit from the Schengen state, including dates and flight numbers.
Some consulates may require the original ticket upon visa collection (verify with the relevant consulate).

Show evidence of sufficient financial means for your stay (e.g., a bank statement from the past three months).
The required amount varies by country—confirm with the consulate. Cash is not accepted as proof.

Provide a one-page document confirming Schengen Travel Medical Insurance coverage with a minimum of Euro 30,000 for medical expenses and repatriation, valid in all Schengen countries.

Include a confirmed hotel reservation (hotel vouchers are not sufficient).
If staying with a relative or friend, provide an invitation letter from the host, a copy of their passport or ID, and possibly authentication by relevant authorities.
For prepaid tours, provide details and proof of payment to the tour operator.

Submit an official business letter from a company in the Schengen area and a letter from your employer stating the purpose of the visit.
For conferences, provide proof of registration and payment.

Provide an unabridged birth certificate.
If traveling alone, include certified parental consent from both parents.
If traveling with one parent, include notarized consent from the other parent.
If only one parent has guardianship, present relevant court documents.
Some consulates may require both parents to sign in their presence.

The consular office may request additional documents such as proof of employment or student status, or a personal interview.

Apply at least 15 calendar days before your intended visit but no earlier than 3 months before the start of your visit.

Short Stay Visa: Allows up to 90 days in a 6-month period.
Long Stay Visa: For stays exceeding 90 days, issued by member states based on national legislation.

All Visa Types (Transit and Short Stay): 60 Euros, payable in Rand.
Children Aged 6-12: 35 Euros, payable in Rand.

Note: Contact the relevant Embassy or Consulate for the current Euro/Rand exchange rate and payment methods.

Greek Embassy in Pretoria:

  • Address: 235 Veale Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk
  • Phone: +27 12 348 2427
  • Email: gremb.pre@mfa.gr

Consulate General in Johannesburg:

  • Address: Fortune Kunene House, 261 Oxford Road, Illovo
  • Phone: +27 11 214 2300
  • Email: grgencon.jhb@mfa.gr

Consulate in Cape Town:

  • Address: 19th Floor, Reserve Bank Building, 60 St George’s Mall
  • Phone: +27 21 424 8160 / 1
  • Email: grcon.cpt@mfa.gr

Honorary Consulate in Durban:

  • Address: 32 Mentone Road, Morningside
  • Phone: +27 31 205 5590
  • Email: jmj@natship.net

WEATHER

Greece boasts a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, mild temperatures, and limited rainfall.

  • Summer (June to August):
    • Temperature: Hot and dry, often exceeding 30°C (86°F), with cooler temperatures in the mountains. Coastal areas benefit from the cooling meltemi wind.
    • Weather: Sunshine prevails, and rainfall is minimal. The meltemi wind offers relief from the heat, especially in the Cyclades.
  • Autumn (September to November):
    • Temperature: Warm in September, with cooling temperatures in October and November.
    • Weather: Generally pleasant, with occasional rainfall. Ideal for exploring without summer crowds.
  • Winter (December to February):
    • Temperature: Mild in the lowlands, ranging from 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F). Snowfall is possible in the mountains.
    • Weather: Mild with occasional rain and snow in mountainous regions, suitable for winter sports.
  • Spring (March to May):
    • Temperature: Warming up from winter, ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F).
    • Weather: Increasingly sunny with minimal rainfall, perfect for outdoor activities and seeing blooming landscapes.

Optimal Visiting Times:

  • May to June:
    • Weather: Ideal temperatures, lush landscapes, and fewer crowds. Great for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
  • September to Mid-October:
    • Weather: Warm but not too hot, with pleasant conditions and warm seas. Ideal for exploring historical sites and natural beauty.

Overall, Greece’s climate is inviting year-round, with the best times to visit being during late spring and early autumn for optimal weather and fewer tourists.

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 (includes Mainland, Peloponnese Peninsula, and approximately 6,000 islands and islets)
Population: 10,302,720 (2024 est.)
Time Zone: 2 hours ahead of GMT (winter)
Observes daylight saving time from the last weekend in March to the last weekend in October.
Religion: Orthodox Greek Catholic
Language: Greek
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 are accepted.
ATM Accessibility: Not readily available.
Dialling Code: +30

TRAVEL TIPS

Electricity: Standard voltage is 220V AC (50Hz).
Some islands use 110V.
Bring necessary converters or transformers if needed.
Water: Safe to drink tap water in large cities.
Bottled water is advisable on the islands.
Business Hours: Government offices:
– Mon-Fri, 08:00 – 15:00Shops:
– Open 08:30 – 13:30 and 17:00 – 20:00 on Tues, Thurs, and Fri
– Open 08:00 – 14:30 on Mon, Wed, and Sat
– Closed on Sundays except for tourist gift shops
Banking Hours: Mon-Thurs: 08:00 – 14:30
Fri: 08:00 – 13:30
Closed on Public Holidays
Photography Restrictions: Photography is generally allowed in most museums.
Some archaeological sites or museums may prohibit photography to protect exhibits from flash damage.
Tipping: Restaurants: 10% to 15% is customary; round up larger bills to the nearest €1.
Taxis: Tip 5% to 10% (not common but expected from tourists).
Hotels: About €2 per night for chambermaids; €1 to €5 for bellhops and doormen.
Vaccination Requirements: No vaccinations are required.
Consult with a medical practitioner or travel clinic for any concerns.
Dress Code Restrictions: No specific restrictions.
Peculiar Customs to Observe: Knife Handling: Greeks avoid handing knives directly to others to prevent conflicts. They place the knife on the table for others to take.
Spitting: Spitting three times while saying “ftou, ftou, ftou” is believed to ward off bad luck when discussing negative news.
Unlucky Day: In Greece, Tuesday the 13th is considered unlucky, unlike Friday the 13th in Western cultures.

FESTIVALS

  • Carnival Season (Apokreo): Mid-January – March, notably in Patra; peaks on the last Sunday before Lent.
  • Greek Independence Day: 25 March
  • Athens & Epidavros Festival: May – October (includes music, opera, dance, and theater)
  • Miaoulia Festival, Hydra: Late June (naval festival, fireworks)
  • Rockwave Festival, Malakasa: June/July
  • Nafplio Festival: Late June – early July (classical music)
  • Naxos Festival: July and August (Bazeos Tower, Naxos Island)
  • Ancient Olympia International Festival: July – August (music, dance, and theater at the ancient Olympics site)
  • Megaro Gyzi Festival, Santorini: August
  • Sani Festival, Halkidiki: July to September
  • Athens International Film Festival: Mid to late 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