Travelling from the U.K. to Greece on a US passport

[SheilaNaGig]

I have dual nationality (British and US) but my British passport is lost.

I’m in the process of renewing my U.K. passport, but I need to travel to Greece very soon, and perhaps even sooner (mother is unwell).

Does anyone have recent experience of entering and exiting Athens on a US passport? How easy or tricky is it?



I know I can travel in the Schengen zone on a US passport without a visa so long as I have at least six months on my passport, and I’m not staying for more than 90 days. I’m more interested to know about delays and issues at customs, if there’s are any.

Thanks.

 

[Treacle Toes]

I'm not sure what problems you anticipate given you can stay for up to 90 days without a visa?

U.S. Citizenship holders

As a U.S. citizenship holder, you do not need to apply for a Greece Schengen Visa! You are allowed to travel to Greece and to all other members of the Schengen Area for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa, as long as your U.S. passport is valid for at least 3 months after your planned return to the United States!



You need proof of sufficient funds for the period of stay in Greece and a return airline ticket. Generally, there are several recognized ways to prove your financial sufficiency:

• A personal bank statement indicating your financial movements (for at least 3 last months)
• Credit card
• Cash
• Traveller’s cheques
• Pay slips
• Proof of employment
• Supporting document to attest sponsor’s readiness to cover your expenses during your stay
• Proof of prepaid accommodation
• Document about accommodation in private
• Proof of prepaid transport
• Other

Greece Visa Requirements, Fees and Guidelines for U.S. Citizenship and U.S. Passport Holders

 

[Spymaster]

I know I can travel in the Schengen zone on a US passport without a visa so long as I have at least six months on my passport ...

I think it's 3 months after your planned return.

I'm not aware of US passport holders facing unusual delays in Greece.

 

[Pickman's model]

I have dual nationality (British and US) but my British passport is lost.

I’m in the process of renewing my U.K. passport, but I need to travel to Greece very soon, and perhaps even sooner (mother is unwell).

Does anyone have recent experience of entering and exiting Athens on a US passport? How easy or tricky is it?



I know I can travel in the Schengen zone on a US passport without a visa so long as I have at least six months on my passport, and I’m not staying for more than 90 days. I’m more interested to know about delays and issues at customs, if there’s are any.

Thanks.

what you might want to think about are issues you might face on entering the uk on a us passport - have you anything in your passport which says you're allowed to come in?

 

[SheilaNaGig]

I’m not anticipating any problems really Rutita1 .

I’m wondering if the queues for non EU passports tend to be very long, or if American passport holders tend to get a strange reaction, or what.

The one time I travelled to Europe on my US passport in the past I got some pretty shirty reactions from customs. It was during a time when America was flying planes out and dropping bombs. Things being as they are currently, I was just wondering if it’s the same now.

 

[skyscraper101]

We took a US citizen on holiday with us to Corfu and no problems. Happy travels.

 

[SheilaNaGig]

what you might want to think about are issues you might face on entering the uk on a us passport - have you anything in your passport which says you're allowed to come in?

That’s a good point. I live here, there’s never any issue when I’m returning from the States. I can prove residency. That should be enough, right?

 

[Pickman's model]

That’s a good point. I live here, there’s never any issue when I’m returning from the States. I can prove residency. That should be enough, right?

people i know resident in the uk who've dual (canadian / british) citizenship, who have been returning here on canadian passports have occasionally had difficulty persuading immigration of their right to be here, and on at least one occasion i can think of had their passport endorsed 'six months entry, no working'. proving residency and proving right to enter may be two different things.

 

[SheilaNaGig]

people i know resident in the uk who've dual (canadian / british) citizenship, who have been returning here on canadian passports have occasionally had difficulty persuading immigration of their right to be here, and on at least one occasion i can think of had their passport endorsed 'six months entry, no working'. proving residency and proving right to enter may be two different things.

From Europe?


Ugh.... Well I’m glad I asked the question then.

I’m not currently working (health issues) so that might cause some confusion too.

The current atmosphere re: immigration etc. might make things a bit more awkward I suppose.


Okay, I think I’ll try to wait til my U.K. passport is in my hand.

 

[Pickman's model]

From Europe?


Ugh.... Well I’m glad I asked the question then.

I’m not currently working (health issues) so that might cause some confusion too.

The current atmosphere re: immigration etc. might make things a bit more awkward I suppose.


Okay, I think I’ll try to wait til my U.K. passport is in my hand.

if you're encountering delays with your uk passport always remember that your mp, if so inclined, can interfere to speed things up: something i know jeremy corbyn has done in the past.

 

[skyscraper101]

From Europe?


Ugh.... Well I’m glad I asked the question then.

I’m not currently working (health issues) so that might cause some confusion too.

The current atmosphere re: immigration etc. might make things a bit more awkward I suppose.


Okay, I think I’ll try to wait til my U.K. passport is in my hand.

It shouldn't matter though if they stamp your US passport coming back for 'no work' - you're not working anyway so it doesn't matter. And you're British, you're just waiting for your passport to arrive so they're hardly going to deport you to America upon landing. I'd go on the US passport and enjoy.

 

[SheilaNaGig]

Thanks all.

Urban is a better oracle than the whole of google!

 

[Pickman's model]

It shouldn't matter though if they stamp your US passport coming back for 'no work' - you're not working anyway so it doesn't matter. And you're British, you're just waiting for your passport to arrive so they're hardly going to deport you to America upon landing. I'd go on the US passport and enjoy.

yeh. the border people do do their best to make life difficult so best to get confirmation before going to prevent petty wankery later on.

 

[Riklet]

Pretty easy 90 days for all of europe shengan and non-shengan youd have even longer.

It's not like any European country will not let you in.