To travel to Athens with a valid French Schengen visa, do I need to obtain a Greek Schengen visa?

I am an Indian national holding a valid multiple entry French Schengen visa for four years. I would like to visit Athens, Greece to attend a conference in September. Can I travel with this French Schengen visa or do I need to take a fresh Schengen visa from Greece?

Best Answer

If you already went to France, you can use the French visa without any issue, provided you fulfill all the usual conditions (have health insurance, sufficient financial means, didn't stay too long in the Schengen area, etc.)

If you haven't been to France yet, it's still possible but you might need to explain why you got a French visa to go to Greece, see Can I use my Schengen visa for a completely different purpose and entry point? and Use of unused Schengen visa to travel to Switzerland

Furthermore, having a four-year multiple-entry visa suggests you are a trusted traveller (UK resident?) so I wouldn't expect any problem.

Pictures about "To travel to Athens with a valid French Schengen visa, do I need to obtain a Greek Schengen visa?"

To travel to Athens with a valid French Schengen visa, do I need to obtain a Greek Schengen visa? - White Concrete Building Near Mountain

To travel to Athens with a valid French Schengen visa, do I need to obtain a Greek Schengen visa? - Passport on Top of a Planner

To travel to Athens with a valid French Schengen visa, do I need to obtain a Greek Schengen visa? - Fountain in Courtyard

Can I enter Greece with French Schengen visa?

Yes. According to the Schengen rules, the Schengen visa is generally valid for all the countries in the Schengen area. Please note, however, that you always have to apply at the consulate of the country which is your primary destination (see FAQ no 5).

Do I have to enter the country that issued my Schengen visa?

It does not need to be the country that issued you with a Schengen Visa, as you must apply with the nation where you are planning to spend the majority of your stay in the Schengen Area.

Can I travel with Schengen visa to another country?

IF MY VISA IS ISSUED FOR INSTANCE BY THE GERMAN CONSULATE, CAN I USE THIS VISA AND TRAVEL TO ANOTHER COUNTRY OF SCHENGEN AGREEMENT? Yes, according to the Schengen Agreement rules, the Schengen visa is generally valid for all Schengen area countries.

What visa do I need to visit Greece?

Greece is a party to the Schengen Agreement; therefore, U.S. citizens may enter Greece without a visa for stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.

How to Apply Greece Schengen Tourist visa - Schengen visa Documents check list - Schengen visa Open

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: jimmy teoh, Lazar Krstić, Nataliya Vaitkevich, Pixabay