How can I enter Greece?
Entry requirements depend on your country of origin. EU citizens enter on a national identity card or passport. Non-EU nationals should consult the authorities of their own country before travelling, and all incoming students must apply for a long-term residence permit for studies upon arrival in Greece.
This page summarises the practical position for prospective and incoming students of the Bachelor in Materials Science and Engineering at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The canonical source for visa rules is the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs — see the official link further down.
EU & Schengen citizens.
Citizens of European Union member states and other countries covered by the Schengen Agreement can enter Greece with a valid national identity card or passport. No entry visa is required for the purpose of study, and no advance application to a Greek consulate is necessary before travelling.
If you are an EU/Schengen citizen, the practical preparation before arrival is therefore limited to making sure your identity document is valid for the full duration of your studies, and to completing the standard registrations that apply to every enrolled student — accommodation, the AUTh student card, and the residence registration with the local authority of the area in Thessaloniki where you live.
Non-EU nationals.
Citizens of countries outside the EU and Schengen area require an entry visa issued by the Greek consular authority responsible for their place of residence. The application process, documentation, fees, and processing time depend on your country of origin and on the consulate handling your file — there is no single universal rule.
You should contact the Greek embassy or consulate in your home country at the earliest opportunity, ideally several months before your intended date of arrival. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains the canonical list of Greek consulates abroad, with their contact details and category-specific requirements.
Long-term residence permit for studies
Regardless of whether you needed an entry visa, all non-EU students must apply for a long-term residence permit for studies after arriving in Greece. This permit is granted by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, is valid for the duration of your studies, and is renewed annually on the basis of your enrolment status.
The application is filed locally once you are in Thessaloniki. The Programme Secretariat and the AUTh Foreign Student Support Unit can guide you through the process and connect you with the appropriate University services — see the contact details on the Administrative Support page.
The student visa (Type D).
Most non-EU students travelling to Greece for full-time study will apply for a National Visa (Type D) — the long-stay visa for stays exceeding 90 days. This visa is issued by the Greek consulate in your country of residence and allows you to enter Greece and begin the residence-permit process upon arrival.
The documentation required typically includes, but may not be limited to:
- A valid passport (with at least six months of validity beyond your intended stay).
- Your letter of acceptance from the MSE programme at AUTh.
- Proof of sufficient financial means to support yourself for the duration of your studies.
- Proof of accommodation in Thessaloniki (or a signed declaration that you will arrange it on arrival).
- A medical certificate or health insurance document (requirements vary by consulate).
- Two recent passport-size photographs.
- Completed visa application form and applicable fee.