Trouble finding a Greece Schengen visa appointment?
Due to high demand and limited availability, obtaining an appointment for a Greece Schengen visa can be quite difficult. Here are some tips and insights that could help:
Check the appointment online availability regularly
Appointment slots for Greece Schengen visas tend to open up at specific times (the end of the month, for instance), so note when those times are and check the appointment scheduler for the consulate or embassy you are applying to at those times. Consistently checking the appointment scheduler and constant click in a search visa appointment, is your best way to get a spot, especially if the applicant check it right when it opens for the day.
Using Alternative Methods to Book Appointments
If online appointment booking systems are not working, contacting the visa application center or greek consulate directly can be helpful. For applicants in the UK, phoning the Global Visa Center and selecting the option to speak to a person can sometimes result in securing an appointment if you have proof of ticket reservation and details information about travelling, especially if you are within a month of your travel date. Please note that during peak season, it can be more challenging to reach them by phone than to schedule an appointment online. A Reddit user advises:
"I just called them up and spoke with them and they gave me an appointment (fyi my trip is planned In the next 25 days). Just try with someone else's phone to call them if it keeps disconnecting."
At the same time, users report that they were able to register for a visa application to Greece in the Schengen area because their trip was planned much later than one month:
"After numerous attempts to book cancelled appointments, I was close to giving up. I phoned them again last week and after explaining my situation and showing them my already-purchased flight ticket, they were happy to help me considering that I am only flying in July. They booked an appointment for me straight away. I recommend phoning them and selecting option "2" to talk to a person - be kind and calm and explain to them what you have and when you are going. They will probably be willing to help you unless you are trying to book an appointment in the next two weeks."
Consider applying through a country that uses the TLS or VFS system and is located in the Schengen area, like Belgium, France, Denmark, or the Netherlands. TLS or VFS designations may be easier to find than GVC designations.
Make use of waitlists and cancellations, especially during peak season
If all slots are booked, consider the order placed on a waitlist. Many applicants have reported getting appointments due to cancellations. Be prepared to act quickly when a slot becomes available, accept the appointment online, and pay within 15 minutes after booking.
Just to let you know, the 25-day rule before travel can limit your options. This rule does not always apply, but it is worth keeping it in mind when making an appointment at the visa center during the high season. During peak travel seasons, securing an appointment and processing times may be longer. There is a clearly showing that the number of visa orders increases dozens of times. If your travel date departure is more than a month away, you'll need to wait until you're within that timeframe to schedule an appointment.
Premium Services for visa application
In some cases, opting for premium appointments can provide an alternative. Submitting documents for a Greek Schengen visa through a premium lounge costs more than the classic method, but it has clear advantages:
Applicant save time waiting
The premium lounge manager will address all your questions
Assistance with the application
Help with minor adjustments to application forms or confirm the correctness of filling
More comfortable waiting areas with (usually) free beverages
Since premium lounge services are pricier, appointments are reserved less quickly. Some applicants don't see the value in premium services, while others prefer to not overspend. Reddit users mentioned their experience of using such a service:
"By premium paying, you get separate queue, a separate waiting room with tea, snacks and dedicated payment/visa application. Save plenty of time. Especially helps if there are elderly and another family members involved in the application party. The procedures followed are exactly the same in both normal and priority. But if the facility is not crowded, don't waste your money. It's just a revenue push for the visa center"
Requesting an Expedited Appointment
If you have a fully booked and paid holiday to Greece but are unable to get a regular visa appointment, you can try the following:
Mail the Greek embassy or consulate directly to request an expedited appointment. You will find the contact details on the consulate's website.
Clearly stating in the letter all the information about your person and all participants (your full name, nationality, passport number, and etc), in the travelling and the related travel plan, explain the purpose of the visit to the destination country by declaring an expedited submission and full payment for your vacation.
Send the file with all the required documents to the consulate. You will find the complete list on the website.
Some applicant reported successful application of such measures, receiving time time to visa application within a few days after sending the e mail. Processing times may vary, but on average they range from 2 to 5 business days. The embassy may offer a specific time and date for the appointment in their response.
Kindly note that while this option exists, there are no guarantees. Availability will likely depend on the embassy's workload, the number of available Schengen visa quotas, and individual reasons. If you have urgent travel plans, it may be worth trying to reach out via email to request an expedited appointment online.
Website Access Issues
"You've been blocked by network security" this is the phrase the applicant periodically encounters on the website.
There are known technical issues that frequently arise:
Login blocking
Messages about reaching the maximum number of login attempts
The site sometimes just doesn't load or times out.
Workarounds:
try switching to a different device (e.g. computer to smartphone)
different location or network (use your home network over your work/university one or try your phone's hotspot)
a different day and time (early morning or late night may have less traffic)
put the browser into incognito mode or clear the cache and cookies
Either way, you're not the only one having problems, and you may just have to keep trying and repeatedly go back to the start.
In conclusion, while obtaining a Greece Schengen visa appointment can be difficult, a combination of persistence, flexibility, timing, and proactive measures can significantly improve an applicant's chances of success. It's important for travellers to start the process well in advance and be prepared to adapt their approach as needed.
