Greece Visa News for Indians: 2026 Rule Changes

This page lists only dated changes from official sources, as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. It does not predict future rules. For the full application process, start with our Greece visa guide for Indians.

Which Greece visa rules changed, and when?

Who handles Greek visa applications in India now?

VFS Global no longer handles Greek visas in India; its Greece page returns an error. The Embassy of Greece's visa page links to Global Visa Center World (GVCW), which runs 15 Visa Application Centres: New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Mumbai, Puducherry and Pune.

Decisions have not moved. The Consular Office of the Embassy of Greece in New Delhi still assesses every Greek visa application lodged in India. Schengen files lodged outside New Delhi travel there first and need about 5 extra days. Family-reunification, employment and digital-nomad D visas are accepted only at the New Delhi centre.

If you saved an old VFS checklist or fee sheet for Greece, discard it. Use the GVCW pages and the Embassy's 2026 checklist.

What did the 30 September 2025 change mean for Greek work visas?

Before this date, Indian workers needed the Embassy's prior approval before lodging an employment D visa. GVCW's notice of 30 September 2025 removed that step, with a condition:

• You can apply at GVCW without prior Embassy approval.
• The Embassy must already have received your employment papers, otherwise the application is rejected.
• Applying under the wrong category can lead to refusal.
• Applications from India are accepted only at the GVCW New Delhi centre.

In practice, your Greek employer's papers, including the Prefecture's approval for dependent employment, must reach the Embassy first. The employment visa fee is EUR 180 / INR 19,620 for type A or EUR 75 / INR 8,175 for type B; GVCW does not define which jobs fall under each type, so confirm with GVCW or the Embassy. Seasonal workers (category E.5) receive a decision within 60 days of a complete application.

What does the Entry/Exit System change at the Greek border?

The EES started on 12 October 2025 and became fully operational on 10 April 2026. For Indian travellers on a Schengen short-stay visa, it means:

• Your fingerprints, facial image and entry and exit are registered electronically.
• Passport stamping is replaced.

None of the Embassy or GVCW notices we checked change the application steps in India because of EES. A Schengen visa still does not guarantee entry: GVCW's FAQ says you may have to show means of subsistence and documents on the purpose of your stay at the border, so carry copies of what you submitted.

The European Commission's reference amount for Greece, in its table of 8 June 2026, is EUR 50 per person per day (EUR 25 for minors), with a minimum of EUR 300 for a stay of up to 5 days.

What is in the Embassy's 2026 Schengen checklist?

The Embassy of Greece's checklist for 2026, hosted by GVCW, asks every Indian applicant for:

• A signed Schengen form and two recent colour photos on a white background.
• A passport valid 3 months beyond the visa's end, with two blank pages, issued within the last 10 years, plus copies of the first and last pages and previous visas.
• Travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000 from an approved Indian insurer.
• A cover letter, a return flight reservation and proof of lodging.
• An original bank statement for the last three months, stamped and signed by the bank, and ITR acknowledgements for the last two assessment years.

Spouses travelling together need the spouse's name endorsed in both passports, or an MEA-apostilled marriage certificate (or an affidavit). Engaged couples need an affidavit.

The current Schengen visa fee is EUR 90 / INR 9,810 as published by GVCW in October 2026, plus a EUR 30 GVCW service fee converted at the daily ECB rate.

Are Greek visa refusals rising for applications from India?

Slightly. European Commission statistics show a refusal rate of 33.2% for Schengen applications lodged at Greek consulates in India in 2025 (13,526 visas not issued; 41,009 applications lodged). In 2024 the rate was 31.5% (12,973 visas not issued; 41,418 applications lodged).

These are the Commission's rates for all short-stay applications at Greek posts in India. They describe past decisions, not your chances. A complete, consistent file remains the part you control.

What should you check before you apply this month?

• Walk-ins: GVCW suspended walk-in submissions on 15, 16 and 19 October 2026, resuming 21 October 2026. Book an online appointment, which is free.
• Timing: the Embassy decides within up to 15 working days of receiving an admissible application, extendable up to 45 calendar days, and is not responsible if you submit less than 15 days (plus delivery days) before travel.
• Frequent travellers: under EU rules adopted on 18 April 2024, Indians who have lawfully used two Schengen visas in the last three years can be issued a two-year multiple-entry visa.

Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, itineraries and cover letters that match the Embassy's 2026 checklist. Packages cost INR 1,000 for a reservation up to INR 3,000 for the full set. WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or contact our team.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still apply for a Greece visa through VFS Global in India?

No. VFS Global no longer handles Greek visas in India. Applications go to GVCW's Visa Application Centres, and the Embassy of Greece in New Delhi decides them.

Did the Greece visa fee change in 2026?

The fee is still EUR 90 for a Schengen visa. GVCW published it as INR 9,810 in October 2026, and the rupee figure moves with the exchange rate, so check it close to your appointment.

Do I need to register for EES before travelling to Greece?

The European Commission describes EES as registering short-stay visitors' fingerprints, facial image and entry and exit at the Schengen external border. It became fully operational on 10 April 2026, replacing passport stamping; the Embassy and GVCW notices we checked add no separate pre-travel step in India.

Where do I send Greek visa queries now?

The Embassy of Greece lists grcon.del@mfa.gr for visa queries. For appointments and application tracking, GVCW's call centre is on +91 22 6786 6011, Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 17:00.