Passport stamps in Greece

Created by doina. Last modified on 2008-03-04 10:44:39
Topic: European Union
Countries: Greece

On page

http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/Greece/?rc=Formalities#Clearance

You say: "These changes have to be noted in the transit log and entry and exit stamps put into the passport. Individual passports are not stamped on entry into Greece by yacht, nor is this required for departure with the same yacht. However, if leaving by another means, these stamps are required by immigration at the point of exit."

However, Canadian friends, going from west to east, were there summer of 2007 and her passport was not stamped on entry. As they got into the eastern Greek Islands, she was hassled mightily. He has both Canadian and British Passports. She has only Canadian. They told us by email 11 Dec 2007.

“Before we left Greece, we had to get clearance from the police, Customs and Port Police. When travelling in Greece, when you enter the country you have to purchase (45 Euros) a Transit Log which you must present to the Port Police upon arriving at every port, and before you leave. They will look at your registration, insurance, passports, crew list and Transit Log and maybe insist on seeing your paid invoice from the port or marina. Many of the port police will make you fill out another crew list as they want to put their stamp on a fresh crew list. This can take anywhere from 15 minutes to almost an hour, both upon entering and leaving.

“So when we went to the police, they didn't even look at my British passport, but they made a real fuss over my wife's Canadian passport. The officer made many phone calls and discussions with his colleagues and finally brought in the head cheese who told my wife that she was in the country illegally because the passport police in Corfu did not stamp her passport when we arrived. Anyway, after an hour where I lost my temper, they agreed to let us go on the condition that if we exceed 90 days in Greece (Friday for us), my wife will heave to pay 600 Euros for a visa and the boat will have to pay a tax of about 215 Euros.”

I am not saying that anyone is correct or wrong. But, I get the strong opinion that you have no idea WHAT will happen in Greece.

I suggest that you smile a lot. Be very polite. They own the football, the field and the rule book. Your job is to get by however you can. Prayer and a bag four leaf clovers may help. If they don’t assume that the bag is full of a controlled substance. Expect the unexpected.

Thanks for doing the best job possible on hosting Noonsite.com

David Heath