China Visa RequirementsFor Greece passport holders
Greek citizens can enter China without a visa for up to 15 days for tourism, transit, business or family visits under China's 2024 unilateral exemption.
Great news! Greece passport holders can enter China without a visa for tourism or business purposes. You can stay up to 15 days.
No visa required for stays up to 15 days. Present a valid Greek passport at Chinese immigration. Ensure your passport has at least six months validity. For stays beyond 15 days, apply for a Chinese visa (L category for tourism) at the Chinese Embassy in Athens well in advance.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Current Travel Situation
Greece to China: What You Need to Know
China extended its unilateral visa-free policy to Greek passport holders in 2024, allowing stays of up to 15 days for tourism, transit, business and family visit purposes. The exemption covers entry at all open international ports. For stays beyond 15 days, a Chinese visa from the Chinese Embassy in Athens is required.
Money & Banking
China uses the Chinese yuan (CNY/RMB). Mobile payment apps (Alipay, WeChat Pay) dominate in cities but usually require a Chinese bank account. Carry some cash for smaller vendors and rural areas. ATMs in major cities accept international cards though fees apply.
Practical Tips
Beijing (PEK/PKX) and Shanghai (PVG) are the main international hubs from Greece. Many popular apps and websites including Google, WhatsApp and Instagram are blocked in China; download a VPN before departure. A local SIM card (China Mobile, China Unicom) or international roaming plan is useful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Greek passport holders need a visa for China?
Greek nationals can enter China visa-free for up to 15 days under China's unilateral exemption policy introduced in 2024. For longer stays, a Chinese visa is required.
Do Greek citizens need a visa to visit China?
Not for stays up to 15 days. China introduced a unilateral visa-free policy for citizens of all Schengen Area member states in early 2024, allowing stays of up to 15 consecutive days for tourism, business, transit, and family visits. The policy has been extended through 2025.
How many days can a Greek citizen stay in China visa-free?
Greek nationals can stay in China for up to 15 days without a visa for tourism, transit, business or family visits.
How long can I stay in China without a visa on a Greek passport?
The visa-free allowance is strictly 15 days from the date of entry. This applies to stays for tourism, business meetings, transit, or visiting family. Exceeding this limit carries serious legal consequences including fines, detention, and future travel bans.
Can Greek travellers access all apps and websites in China?
No. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and many other services are blocked in China. Download a VPN app before departure if you wish to access these services.
Can I visit mainland China and Hong Kong on the same trip without a separate visa?
These are separate immigration jurisdictions. Entry to mainland China under the 15-day visa-free policy does not cover Hong Kong (where Greeks are visa-free for 90 days under a different arrangement). Each entry is processed separately. If visiting both, plan your dates and entry points carefully.
Do I need a visa to visit Hong Kong or Macau?
Hong Kong and Macau are separate jurisdictions. Greek nationals can visit Hong Kong visa-free for 90 days and Macau for 90 days without a Chinese mainland visa.
What should I prepare before traveling to China as a Greek citizen?
Install a VPN before departure as Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and most Western social media and apps are blocked in China. Set up WeChat on your phone and link it to a payment method. Download offline maps. Check that your travel insurance covers China.
What currency is used in China?
China uses the Chinese yuan (CNY/RMB). Mobile payment apps (Alipay, WeChat Pay) dominate transactions in cities; carry some cash for rural areas or places not accepting foreign card-linked apps.
Are direct flights available from Greece to China?
Air China has operated seasonal direct flights between Athens (ATH) and Beijing (PEK). Alternatively, connections via Gulf carriers (Emirates via Dubai, Qatar via Doha) or other Asian hubs (Bangkok, Singapore) provide routes to Beijing (PEK) and Shanghai (PVG). Total journey is 10-18 hours depending on routing.
How do I apply for a Chinese visa if I need to stay longer than 15 days?
Apply for a Chinese tourist visa (L category) at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in Athens. You will need an application form, passport photos, itinerary and accommodation details.
What currency is used in China and how do I pay for things?
China uses the yuan (CNY/RMB). Most payments are made via WeChat Pay or Alipay apps. Foreign visitors can now link foreign Visa or Mastercard cards to a limited tourist version of these apps. Cash yuan is also accepted. Western card payments at physical terminals are rare outside luxury hotels.
Why does Greece have strong ties with China compared to other EU countries?
Greece granted Chinese state-owned shipping company COSCO a majority stake in the Port of Piraeus in 2016, making Piraeus one of Europe's busiest container ports and a key gateway for Chinese goods into the EU. This investment has made Greek-Chinese commercial ties particularly close compared to most EU member states.
What are the top destinations in China for a 15-day Greek visitor?
With 15 days, a focused itinerary is essential. Beijing (Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven) combined with Shanghai (the Bund, Yu Garden, modern skyline) and either Xian (Terracotta Army) or Guilin (karst mountains) forms a classic circuit that manages the time constraint well.