Family reunification process

For a 12-year-old child traveling independently to Greece to a parent with a residence permit, prepare the following: an invitation letter, financial documents from the sponsor, proof of accommodation (rental agreement), and two notarized consent forms for the child's travel (one from each parent). Cross-consent forms (parent A consenting to parent B and vice versa) may also be required. A travel itinerary detailing the journey is recommended. Consider booking flights with an accompanying service, which may incur additional costs.

For adult children inviting parents with Greek residency (VNZh) for a short stay, applications for a short-term Schengen visa (Type C) are processed through the Visa Center. For a long-stay visa (Type D) for family reunification, applications are made at the Consulate. The scope of rights for VNZh holders varies by the type of VNZh and is not always equivalent to full citizenship rights.

The process for a family reunification visa for Greece involves submitting documents to the embassy, followed by an invitation for an interview at the consulate. The waiting time after the interview can vary.

Family members joining relatives in Greece may have specific visa application procedures. It's advisable to inquire directly with the Greek Consulate about the possibility of direct application or specific requirements for relatives, which might differ from standard tourist visa applications.

Russian citizens with a valid Schengen visa or a valid residence permit (VNZh) from another EU country can generally travel within the Schengen Area. For a Russian citizen holding a Greek VNZh (biometric) and traveling to the Czech Republic (CZ), the VNZh from Greece grants the right to stay in the Schengen zone. While Czech Republic might have specific passport requirements, a Greek VNZh is often considered sufficient for entry and stay within Schengen. There's a possibility of a fine (20-200 EUR) for not having a biometric passport of the Russian Federation when required for certain stays, but this is unlikely to prevent boarding an aircraft or entering CZ, especially when traveling from another Schengen country like Greece. Travel by plane between Athens and Prague for a Russian citizen with a Greek VNZh is generally considered low-risk for entry and boarding.

When applying for a Greek visa for close family members (children, parents), the financial guarantee and proof of return may be less critical if the inviter holds a residence permit or citizenship. The consulate typically assumes accommodation will be provided, and the return date can be more flexible. This often leads to a more lenient approach to unconfirmed bookings or a lack of them, compared to standard tourist visa applications. However, it's still essential to comply with all other required documentation and procedures.

For Greek visa applications involving minor children, two separate parental consent forms are required: one from each parent authorizing the child's travel with the other parent. This has been a consistent requirement since at least 2019.

If a family member (e.g., a son) is traveling to Greece to join a Greek citizen or resident (e.g., a spouse of a Greek citizen), they might be eligible to apply directly at the Greek Consulate. It is recommended to contact the consulate to confirm eligibility and procedures for direct applications by relatives.

Greek residents (spouses of Greek citizens) can issue an invitation for family members via gov.gr. A scanned copy of the invitation containing the QR code is sufficient for the visa application; official physical notarization by police is not required.

To obtain a Greek visa for a minor sponsored by a parent with Greek residency (VНЖ): Submit copies of child's and parent's passports, student ID, university letter, parent's invitation (gov.gr), relevant declarations (E1, E9), marriage certificate, child's birth certificate, spouse's ID ('taftotita'), parent's VEVO, child's insurance, parent's sponsorship letter, parent's proof of income (NPD), 3-month bank statements, and booking confirmations (flights, accommodation). Ensure flight tickets are non-refundable.