By Anna Akopyan • Updated: 11 Aug 2024 • 12:51 • 2 minutes read
Seaside Greece Credit: Pixabay, Pexels
One of Europe´s most popular tourist destinations, Greece offers up to 90 days of a trip visa-free for 188 countries, including the UK, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany and the US; encouraging tourism at a time when the rest of Europe takes new measures to reduce the flood of foreign visitors.
Visitors from 188 countries, including the UK, Spain and Germany can take 90-days holiday in Europe´s sunny destination, Greece. Greece is known for attracting tourists, as Greek authorities of Rhodes Island had recently launched a pro-tourism campaign, with the launch of the visa-express programme for Turkish tourists. Under the scheme, Turkish citizens became able to visit 10 Greek islands for stays of up to seven days without the need to apply for full access to the Schengen area. The decision was made not only to fuel tourism but a diplomatic measure to “reduce ongoing tensions between the two countries,” said Greek officials.
Last year, Greece received 33 million tourists; more than thrice the country´s population. The economic impact of tourism has increased significantly in the past few years, rising from €9,5 billion in 2010 to €20,5 in 2023; a further 10 per cent increase is expected this year. The revenue from tourism was the key power in handling the economic crisis in Greece, yet many have concerns about being over-reliant on the tourist sector.
17 per cent of the workforce in Greece is employed in the tourist sector; this is three times the European average and more than double that of Spain and Italy. With the extensive transportation infrastructure and accessible transport through air travel, boats, trains and buses, Greece continues to be one of the top holiday destinations, especially for cruise trips.
With paradisal coastline views, unique islands and mountains, Greece has been the dream location for visitors across the world for many years. Now hosting 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites; among the most in Europe, Greece is also attractive for its density of archaeological sites and historic architecture. At the same time, its expansive nightlife is a magnet for tourists,
Greece´s love-and-hate relationship with tourism, however, continues to be the driving force behind new regulations and future goals. Like Italy and Spain, the Greek capital, Athens hosted groups of residents protesting against tourists. Graffiti targeting foreigners and vandalism was reported on the city streets. One of the protesters, resident Anna Theodorakis, who was forced out of her home in Athens said to the Press that tourism was “wiping out the traditional places” and that she felt like a “foreigner in my own country.”
Another resident and a property developer, Dimitri voiced his concerns; “Eighty per cent of this neighbourhood are Airbnbs. Tourists who come here want to see the Greek culture, so if no more Greeks are living here, tourists won’t want to come.” The Mayor of Athens Haris Doukas argued that despite the extreme numbers of visitors, tourism does not foster the local economy; “Each visitor brings €0,40 to the city, and we haven’t seen the money yet. We need to find a way to make tourism viable.”
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From Moscow to Costa Blanca, Anna has spent over 10 years in Spain and one year in Berlin, where she worked as an actress and singer. Covering European news, Anna´s biggest passions are writing and travelling.
I want living athens
Does this mean Brits can stay in Greece for as long as they want? Or only 90 days?
90 days. It’s a stupid article as there are no changes at all for the UK. You didn’t need a visa for a short stay before this change.
That’s what I wondered ? All these releases of different rules is confusing me. We would love to move to Greece but the visa isn’t straight forward and no one will help us. If they have released the 90 days I’ll be leaving tomorrow haha.
I think it’s still.90 days as it hasn’t said otherwise.
I have the same question as a previous commenter. Does this mean that Brits wishing to live in Greece don’t have to obtain a residency visa?
Indian passport holder , living in UK does still needs a Shengen visa to go on holiday in Greece?
Indian passport holders must get a VISA to visit Greece, even for a holiday.
Can Philippines nationals visit without a visa? i can find no information regarding this change in visa requirments, as all sites still say schengen visa!
No, for the Philippines VISA is still required.
Do South African passport holders fall into the visa free category for visiting Greece
No, with an ordinary passport, a VISA is required for South African citizens.
Is Zimbabwe part of the countries with visa free
It is but only for a trip up to 90 days.
Can BRP holders visit without a visa???
A total lie that visitors only bring 40 cents to Athens. They survive on tourism. Take it away and many will starve. Your choice!
Dors this now mean that uk citizens can move to greece? We want to move to alykanas
Does this now mean that uk citizens can move to greece? We want to move to alykanas
This information is only for holiday stays up to 90 days, so no.
Can South Africans now travel to Greece visa free? If no, do they still have to go through the tedious process of applying for a Schengen visa? What is the reason that Zimbabweans can travel to Greece visa free but not South Africans?
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