Greece and the NZeTA: the short version
Greece has a visa-waiver arrangement with New Zealand. In practice, that means a Greek citizen planning a holiday, a family visit or a short business trip does not go to an embassy or wait weeks for a visa. Instead, you complete a short NZeTA application online, and you get a decision by email.
The NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) has been compulsory since 1 October 2019. Airlines and cruise lines check it before you board. If you don't have one, you can be stopped in Athens, or more likely at your connecting airport in the Gulf or Asia, which is a stressful place to discover a problem.
Once approved, the NZeTA can be used for repeat visits over up to two years, as long as your passport stays valid. Most Greek travellers apply once and keep it for future trips.
Travel on your passport, not your identity card
Many Greeks travel around Europe with only the police-issued identity card. That card is not accepted for New Zealand. You need a valid Greek passport (διαβατήριο), and the same passport must be used for the NZeTA application, at check-in, and at the New Zealand border.
Check the expiry date now. Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave New Zealand. Greek passports are often issued for five years, so it is worth checking well before you book, because renewal appointments can take time.
Name spelling matters. Greek passports show your name in Greek and in Latin letters. Always copy the Latin version exactly, for example PAPADOPOULOU rather than a spelling you use on social media. If your passport includes a second given name or a father's name field, follow the layout on the photo page and the machine-readable zone.
Dual nationals: if you also hold an Australian passport, you don't need an NZeTA when travelling on it. If you hold another nationality, choose one passport and use it consistently for the whole trip.
What an NZeTA allows Greek visitors to do
Allowed
- Holidays, road trips and hiking the Great Walks
- Visiting relatives in New Zealand's Greek community
- Business meetings, conferences and site visits
- A short course of study lasting up to 3 months
- Transit through Auckland Airport
Not allowed
- Paid or unpaid work for a New Zealand employer
- Staying longer than 90 days on one visit
- Travelling for medical treatment
- Long-term study or living in New Zealand
If your plans don't fit an NZeTA, you will need a visa instead. Our pages on the New Zealand visitor visa and business travel explain the differences.
Applying from Greece, step by step
The NZeTA application takes most people about 10 minutes. Have your passport and phone nearby before you start.
Your details
Enter your email address, choose a processing speed and add each traveller.
Passport information
Copy names, dates and the passport number in Latin letters, exactly as printed.
Questions and photo
Answer the health and character questions and upload a clear face photo.
Pay and submit
Pay by card. Your fee includes the IVL tourism levy, and we check your form before it goes in.
Start your NZeTA application from Greece
When should Greek travellers apply?
Allow up to 72 hours for a decision. Most applications are faster, but you can't predict when a manual check might be needed. Apply as soon as your flights are booked. You can choose from three processing options:
- Normal – usually 48–72 hours
- Emergency – usually 24–48 hours
- Rush – usually 12–24 hours, for very short notice
Prices for each option are listed on the NZeTA fees page. If you have already applied, you can check your application status at any time.
Flights from Greece and New Zealand's seasons
There are no direct flights between Greece and New Zealand. From Athens or Thessaloniki, most travellers fly to a hub such as Dubai, Doha, Singapore or Hong Kong, then connect to Auckland or Christchurch. Total travel time is usually well over 24 hours, and New Zealand is around 9 to 11 hours ahead of Greek time, depending on daylight saving.
Remember that the seasons are reversed. When it's peak summer on the Greek islands in July, it's winter in New Zealand, which is perfect for skiing in Queenstown or Ruapehu. December to February is New Zealand's summer and the busiest time for visitors, so book accommodation early.
If you are joining a cruise that calls at New Zealand ports, you also need an NZeTA. See our cruise passenger guide for details.
What happens at the New Zealand border
An approved NZeTA lets you travel, but a border officer still decides whether you can enter. Have these ready:
| Passport | The same Greek passport linked to your NZeTA |
|---|---|
| Onward travel | A return ticket or a ticket to another country |
| Funds | Proof you can support yourself, such as bank cards or statements |
| Accommodation | Where you will stay, at least for your first nights |
| Declaration | The New Zealand Traveller Declaration, completed separately before arrival |
Bringing food from home? New Zealand's biosecurity rules are among the strictest in the world. Declare olives, feta and other cheeses, honey, cured meats, nuts, seeds and fresh fruit. If you're unsure, declare it. Undeclared food can lead to an instant fine.
Ready for your New Zealand trip?
Apply for your NZeTA online now and travel from Greece with confidence.
Questions from Greek travellers
No. Greece is on New Zealand's visa-waiver list, so you don't need a visa for a short visit. The NZeTA is a pre-travel authorisation that you must hold before you board a flight or cruise to New Zealand.
No. The Greek identity card is only valid for travel within Europe. You need a Greek passport for both your NZeTA application and your journey.
Use the Latin spelling printed in your passport, exactly as it appears on the photo page and in the machine-readable lines at the bottom. Do not create your own transliteration.
Up to 90 days on each visit. The NZeTA itself can stay valid for up to 2 years, so you can use it for more than one trip.
No. An NZeTA is linked to one passport. If you get a new passport, you need to apply for a new NZeTA before your next trip.
Yes. You can add up to 10 travellers to one application, but each person, including babies, receives their own NZeTA.