🇰🇪 → 🇬🇷

Greece Visa for Kenyans

Schengen C — short-stay (90 days / 180-day period)
⚠ Visa Required — You must apply before travel
9% Rejection Rate
1/5 Difficulty
10–15d Processing
KES 16,675 Total (~$129)

Quick Facts

Requirement Visa Required
Visa Fee KES 16,675 (~$129)
Processing Time 10–15 working days
Appointment Wait ~2 weeks
Stay Duration Up to 90 days

Greece is the easiest Schengen destination in Southern Europe for Kenyan applicants — a 9% rejection rate, fast processing averaging 10 days, and 1–2 week appointment queues at VFS Nairobi. Tourism is the dominant application type and Greek consular offices process East African tourism applications efficiently. Alongside Portugal and Poland, Greece rounds out the top three first-Schengen choices for Kenyans.

Key Warnings

  • Book your VFS Nairobi appointment 1–2 weeks ahead. Greece is growing in popularity among Kenyan travellers, particularly for island holidays.
  • Lump-sum deposits made within 4 weeks of application are a common rejection trigger. Officers expect consistent monthly credits over 3+ months.
  • Greece is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world — ensure your accommodation and itinerary are specific and plausible. Vague plans raise flags even for an easy destination.

Insider Tips

  • Kenya's 73rd passport rank gives Kenyan applicants meaningfully better Schengen outcomes than West African passport holders. Greece's 9% rejection rate reflects this — alongside Portugal and Poland, it is one of the three safest first Schengen destinations for Kenyan applicants.
  • Greece processes large volumes of tourism applications. A well-organised file with a clear itinerary — including island-hopping ferry bookings or specific archaeological site plans — signals genuine tourism intent and is processed smoothly.
  • Your KRA PIN certificate is a powerful ties-to-home document. Include it alongside your employment letter and any property evidence to present a complete picture of your economic ties to Kenya.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Check that Greece is the country you should apply to

    A Schengen visa is issued by one country but admits you to all 27. Apply to whichever you will spend the most nights in; if the nights are even, apply to your first point of entry. Applying to Greece while clearly intending to spend your trip elsewhere is a common refusal ground.

  2. Book your appointment at VFS Global Nairobi

    VFS Global Nairobi handles these applications for Kenya. Book online at https://www.vfsglobal.com/greece/kenya. Slots typically run about 2 weeks out, so book before you buy tickets. Opening hours: Mon–Fri 08:00–15:00.

  3. Complete the Schengen application form and gather documents

    You need a passport valid 3+ months beyond your return with 2 blank pages, a biometric photo, a flight itinerary (a reservation is enough — do not buy a ticket yet), accommodation for every night, 3 months of bank statements, and an employment letter, plus travel insurance covering at least €30,000. Bank statements showing a large deposit made shortly before applying are one of the most common refusal reasons — consistent income over three months matters more than the balance.

  4. Attend the appointment, give biometrics and pay

    Bring originals and photocopies. Fingerprints and a photo are taken at the centre (valid 59 months — later Schengen applications can reuse them). You pay the consular fee of KES 12,800 plus the centre's service fee of KES 3,875 — KES 16,675 in total.

  5. Track the application and collect your passport

    Processing normally takes 7–15 days, longer over the June–August peak. Track online with the reference from your receipt. The Greece embassy (Embassy of Greece, Nairobi) handles appeals and enquiries the centre cannot.

Required Documents

  • Valid Kenyan passport Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date
  • Passport copy (all pages with stamps)
  • Completed Schengen visa application form Must be signed. Available at VFS Global Nairobi or download from the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
  • Biometric passport photo (35×45mm) White background, taken within the last 6 months
  • Travel insurance certificate Minimum €30,000 coverage, valid for all Schengen countries. AXA, Allianz, or Europ Assistance recommended.
  • Flight itinerary A fare quote or itinerary reservation is acceptable — not a confirmed paid ticket. Nairobi to Athens connects via Dubai, Istanbul, or Amsterdam.
  • Accommodation confirmation for all nights
  • Bank statement (last 3 months) Minimum KES 150,000+ (~€900) average balance. Regular salary credits required — recent lump-sum deposits are a common rejection trigger.
  • Employment letter on company letterhead Must confirm position, salary, and approved leave dates. Self-employed: submit business registration certificate instead.
  • Proof of income 3 months of payslips or 2 years of audited business accounts for self-employed applicants
  • Kenyan National ID card (copy) Standard identification document for Kenyan citizens
  • KRA PIN certificate Kenya Revenue Authority PIN certificate demonstrates tax registration and strengthens ties-to-home evidence

Recommended (Optional)

  • Invitation letter from Greek host Required if staying with a host instead of hotel.
  • Property ownership documents Title deed or land ownership documents prove strong ties to Kenya and meaningfully improve approval odds.
  • Business registration certificate Highly recommended for self-employed applicants. Issued by the Registrar of Companies in Kenya.
  • Previous travel history Copies of prior international visas and entry/exit stamps. Prior Schengen visits significantly boost multiple-entry approval chances.

Why Applications Get Rejected

Greece rejected 9% of applications. Avoid these mistakes:

  • Insufficient proof of ties to Kenya

    Greek consular officers assess intent to return for tourism applications. KRA PIN, property deeds, and confirmed employment are the strongest counters.

    Fix: Include KRA PIN certificate, title deed, employment letter with confirmed leave dates, and children's school enrollment if applicable.

  • Weak or inconsistent bank statement

    Deposits made shortly before application are flagged. Officers expect organic salary or business credits over 3+ months.

    Fix: Use statements showing regular monthly credits of at least KES 150,000 average balance.

  • Vague or incomplete tourism itinerary

    Greece is a major tourism destination — applications without specific accommodation and day plans are scrutinised more heavily.

    Fix: Book refundable accommodation for all nights. Include specific activities, ferry bookings for island travel, and a day-by-day plan.

Latest Updates

2024-06

Schengen visa fee rose from EUR 80 to EUR 90

The EU raised the standard Schengen C visa fee from EUR 80 to EUR 90 on 11 June 2024 (children aged 6–12: EUR 40 to EUR 45) under the Visa Code's three-yearly review. It remains EUR 90 in 2026. VFS service fees are charged separately and vary by centre.

2024-11

VFS Nairobi handles Greece visa appointments online

All Greek visa appointments at VFS Nairobi Westlands must be booked via the VFS portal. Walk-in appointments are not accepted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Greece visa rejection rate for Kenyans?
Greece's Schengen rejection rate for Kenyan applicants is approximately 9% — one of the lowest for any Schengen destination and the lowest in Southern Europe. Kenya's 73rd passport rank gives significantly better outcomes than West African passports. A well-prepared tourism application from a Kenyan applicant has a very high probability of approval.
Where do Kenyans apply for a Greece visa?
All Kenyan applicants apply through VFS Global Nairobi in Westlands — the single application center for Greece visas in Kenya. Appointment wait times are typically 1–2 weeks and processing averages around 10 days. You do not visit the Greek Embassy directly unless called for an interview.
Is Greece a good first Schengen visa for Kenyan applicants?
Yes — Greece is one of the best first Schengen choices for Kenyans, alongside Portugal and Poland. A 9% rejection rate, fast processing, and short appointment queues combine to make it very accessible. Greece's well-established tourism infrastructure also means the application process is clearly defined and well-understood by VFS and consular staff.
Does a KRA PIN certificate help with a Greece visa application?
Yes. The KRA PIN certificate demonstrates active tax registration and strong economic ties to Kenya. Greek consular officers assess intent to return for all tourism applications — including this document alongside your employment letter and property evidence gives your file concrete, verifiable ties-to-home substance.
How do Kenyans book a Greece visa appointment?
Applications are handled by VFS Global Nairobi in Nairobi. Appointments are booked online at https://www.vfsglobal.com/greece/kenya — walk-ins are not accepted. Slots run roughly 2 weeks ahead, so secure the appointment before booking flights. Biometrics are taken at the appointment itself.
What does a Greece visa actually cost from Kenya?
KES 16,675 in total — the consular fee plus the application centre's service fee. Most sources quote only the consular fee, which is why the amount at the counter comes as a surprise. Budget separately for travel insurance and for getting to the centre.

Data Sources & Verification

Last verified:

Explore More

Where to Apply

VFS Global Nairobi

Nairobi

Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya

Mon–Fri 08:00–15:00

Well-staffed center. Greece applications are processed here with typical 1–2 week appointment waits. Greece is regarded as the easiest Schengen destination in Southern Europe for Kenyan applicants.

Book Appointment →

Other Schengen visas for Kenyans

🇩🇪 Germany Visa Required 🇫🇷 France Visa Required 🇳🇱 Netherlands Visa Required