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Greece Visa for Afghanistan Citizens 2026

Visa Required

Afghan citizens need a Greek Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) or a Greece national visa (Type D) depending on purpose; apply through the nearest Greek embassy/consulate or approved visa center; visa fees are 80 EUR for short-stay and 180 EUR for long-stay; standard processing is 15 days (up to 45).

Guide last updated September 5, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you intend to leave the Schengen area, issued within the last 10 years, and with at least two blank pages.
  • Specific forms: Complete and sign the Greece Schengen visa application form (one per applicant) in English or Greek; the form is typically submitted online or in print at the visa center/consulate.
  • Financial proof: Bank statements for the last 3 months, payslips, or a sponsorship letter showing you have sufficient funds to cover your stay and return travel; balance and source of funds should be clear and verifiable.
  • Accommodation and return ticket: Hotel bookings or an official invitation letter from a host, and a round-trip flight reservation or itinerary showing onward travel.
  • Photo spec: Two recent passport-size photos sized 35x45 mm, color, on a white background, with a clear view of the full face and no head coverings unless for religious reasons.
  • Biometrics: Yes, you must provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at the designated visa application center; biometrics are valid for 59 months for Schengen applicants.
  • Travel health insurance: A travel medical insurance policy with minimum coverage of 30,000 EUR, valid for the entire Schengen area (including Greece) for the entire stay and covering medical emergencies, hospitalization, and repatriation; include policy number, insurer name, and coverage dates.
  • Additional documents: Depending on your purpose, you may need employment letter or student enrollment letter, property deeds or landlord consent, and a detailed travel plan; translations may be required if documents are not in English/Greek.
  • Note on submission: Applications are submitted at the competent Greek embassy/consulate or authorized visa application center in your country of residence or the country designated by Greece for Afghan applicants; check the official MFA site for the current representation.

Visa types

  • Short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) – Official name: Schengen visa for short stay; Purpose examples: Tourist, Business, Visiting family or friends.
  • Validity: up to 90 days within a 180-day period; Max stay: 90 days total; Entry: single or multiple depending on the decision.
  • Approximate fee: 80 EUR for adults; 40 EUR for children aged 6-12; free for children under 6 in many cases.
  • Greece National visa (Type D) – Official name: Greece National Visa for long stay (Study, Work, Family Reunification, etc.).
  • Subtypes:
  • Student visa (long stay for studies) – Official name: Greece National Visa for Studies; Validity: usually up to 12 months initially (extension possible); Max stay: aligned with program duration; Entry: multiple entries often allowed.
  • Work visa (long stay for employment) – Official name: Greece National Visa for Work; Validity: typically up to 12 months initially; Multi-entry depending on approval; Extension possible.
  • Family reunification visa – Official name: Greece National Visa for Family Reunification; Validity: typically up to 12 months initially; Multi-entry depending on approval; Extension possible.
  • Approximate fee for Type D visas: 180 EUR for adults; 90 EUR for some categories in certain countries (verify with the nearest Greek representation).
  • Note: For Afghan applicants, long-stay (Type D) visas usually require additional national procedures and may involve residence permits after arrival in Greece.

Application process

  • Sticker visa – How to apply:
  • How to apply: Identify the competent Greek embassy/consulate or accredited visa center handling Afghan applicants in your region via the official MFA visa page; you may be directed to submit through a country where Greece has a representation that accepts Afghan residents.
  • How to apply: Complete the Greece Schengen visa application form and gather all required documents as listed in the 'What you need' section; ensure translations are provided if requested.
  • How to submit: Submit in person at the designated Greek embassy/consulate or visa center; you will provide biometrics during submission or at a separate biometric appointment if required.
  • Payment: Pay the visa application fee as directed by the center (methods typically include debit/credit card or bank transfer; some centers accept cash). Note that a separate service fee from the visa center (e.g., VFS Global or equivalent) may apply.
  • Interview: An interview may be requested by the consulate; prepare to discuss travel purpose, itinerary, and ties to your home country.
  • Processing time: Standard processing is typically 15 calendar days from the date of your appointment; it can take up to 45 days in some cases, especially during peak periods or if additional verification is needed.
  • Decision and collection: You will be notified when a decision is made; if approved, you will receive the Schengen visa sticker in your passport; collect in person or via courier as offered by the center.
  • On arrival: Carry your passport with the visa, the approved travel documents, insurance, and supporting documents; border authorities may request proof of funds, accommodation, and travel plans.
  • Where to submit: Since Afghanistan does not have a direct Greek mission, you may apply via the Greek embassy/consulate that handles Afghan cases in a neighboring country (check the MFA portal for the current arrangement) or the approved center in the country of residence.

Fees & processing time

  • Visa fee (short-stay Type C): 80 EUR for adults; 40 EUR for children (6-12); free for children under 6 in many cases; the fee is non-refundable even if the visa is denied.
  • National visa fee (long-stay Type D): 180 EUR for adults; fees may vary by country; some categories may have lower or waived fees in special programs; confirm with the receiving consulate.
  • Service center fee (VAC/VFS or equivalent): Varies by country; check the official center for exact amount and methods of payment.
  • Total cost estimate: Short-stay visa around 80 EUR plus any service center charges; long-stay visa around 180 EUR plus service center charges.
  • Standard processing time: Approximately 15 calendar days; extended to 45 days in exceptional cases or during high-volume periods.
  • Express/priority option: Some representations offer expedited processing at additional cost; availability and price vary by center; confirm with the local Greek mission.

Tips for Afghanistan travelers

  • Plan well in advance: Start the visa application at least 6–8 weeks before your intended travel date; peak travel times may require even earlier submission.
  • Common rejection reasons (Afghanistan-specific): Inadequate verification of funds or inconsistent financial documents; incomplete or missing documents (insurance, accommodation, flight itinerary); lack of clear purpose or ties to home country; insufficient travel history or weak supporting letters; inadequate travel insurance; discrepancies between documents and stated purpose.
  • VFS/BLS vs direct embassy: If available, using an authorized visa center (VAC) can simplify submission and biometrics; verify whether Afghanistan-resident applicants should use the Greek embassy/consulate in a neighboring country or via an approved center in your country of residence.
  • Travel advisories and bilateral notes: Check the official MFA Greece travel and visa pages for any current advisories, entry restrictions, or special instructions; also review your national government travel advisories for Greece before travel.
  • Extension options inside Greece: Short-stay visas (Type C) generally cannot be extended onshore except under exceptional humanitarian reasons; for stays longer than 90 days, you must obtain a national long-stay visa (Type D) applicable to your purpose and may need to apply from outside Greece; always consult the Greek Aliens and Immigration Service (or the appropriate authority) for guidance.
  • Practical tips: Keep printed copies of all documents, ensure consistency across documents, and carry translations if required; ensure your travel insurance shows the policy number, coverage dates, and issuer contact information; be prepared to demonstrate strong ties to your home country to mitigate concerns of overstaying.

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.