Greece Student Visa
A Greece Student Visa is a national long-stay visa (Type D), required by non-EU students admitted to a full-time study programme at a higher education institution in Greece for a duration longer than 90 days. It is issued by the competent Greek diplomatic or consular authority, generally following a personal appearance and interview, and is recorded on the visa sticker with the reference “H.1 Studies.”
Applicants must show they have been accepted for enrolment, or have registered and paid the relevant fees, at a Greek higher education institution, along with evidence of sufficient financial resources — a minimum of EUR 400 per month, as set out under Joint Ministerial Decision 41712/2014. A Type D visa allows entry and an initial stay of more than 90 days and up to 365 days; students must then apply for a residence permit at the local Directorate of Aliens and Immigration shortly after arriving in Greece to continue their studies beyond the visa’s initial validity.
Approval of a Greece Student Visa is determined solely by the competent Greek consular authorities, based on Greek national immigration legislation (Act 4251/2014, as amended, and related ministerial decisions).
Eligibility
- Applicant must have been accepted for enrolment, or hold a certificate of registration and fee payment, at a recognised higher education institution in Greece for a full-time study programme.
- Applicant must hold a valid passport with at least 1.5 years’ remaining validity from the date of application.
- Applicant must demonstrate financial resources of at least EUR 400 per month to cover study and subsistence costs (or evidence of parental financial support where the student has no independent means).
- Applicant must provide a recent criminal record certificate (apostilled, where required, and not older than three months at submission).
- Applicant must provide a medical certificate.
- Applicant must hold travel/health insurance covering emergency medical care, hospitalisation, and repatriation for at least the duration of the visa.
- Applicant must generally attend a personal appearance and interview at the Greek diplomatic mission with jurisdiction over their location.
Government Visa Fees
| Fee Type | Government Fee (EUR) |
| National Visa (Type D) — Students | EUR 75 (category-specific consular fee for students under EU Directives) |
| Visa Application Centre Service Fee (where applicable) | Confirmed at application |
Greece’s national visa fees vary by category under national legislation — students fall under a lower EUR 75 consular fee bracket, distinct from the general national visa fee of EUR 180 that applies to other categories. Information may vary depending on the visa category and individual circumstances. Always confirm the current fee on the relevant Greek consulate’s website, and note that exchange rates fluctuate daily.
Greece Visa Processing Time
Processing for a Greece Student Visa (Type D) generally takes considerably longer than a short-stay Schengen visa, given the additional documentation, the mandatory personal interview, and the review required under national immigration legislation. Some study-abroad programmes advise students to expect a processing window of roughly 6 to 12 weeks from a complete submission, though the competent consulate is the authoritative source for current timelines in any specific case.
Because appointment availability for the required personal interview can be limited, and because students cannot apply for this visa after arriving in Greece, applicants are strongly advised to begin the process as early as possible — ideally several months before their programme start date. Information may vary depending on the visa category and individual circumstances.
Required Documents Checklist
Step-by-Step Application Process
Important Notes
Why Choose Shivansh Consultants
A Greece Student Visa application depends on tight coordination between your institution’s admission process and Greece’s national visa documentation requirements, with a mandatory interview leaving little room for gaps. Shivansh Consultants offers Documentation Support, a clear Eligibility Assessment, and thorough Application Review to help keep your application on track.
We provide Personalized Guidance suited to your programme and institution, backed by a Transparent Process and End-to-End Assistance from document preparation through to your consular interview. We do not guarantee visa approval, as this decision rests entirely with the competent Greek consular authorities.