🇬🇷 Sri Lanka Visa for Greek citizens
Greek citizens need an approved ETA before boarding. The online tourist fee is USD 50, cheaper than paying on arrival.
Greece is not on the free-ETA list, so the published tourist fee of USD 50 applies online (USD 60 on arrival). Children under 12 and transit stays of up to two days remain free for every nationality.
Tourist ETA
Paid online. On arrival costs USD 60.
Days of stay
From the date you arrive, with double entry, extendable once you are in the country.
Hours to approve
Most approvals land by email within 24–72 hours. Apply roughly a week ahead.
What Greek citizens should know
- Greece is not on the 40-country free list, so the standard tourist fee applies.
- Expect USD 50 online, which is cheaper than USD 60 on arrival.
- Apply online in advance rather than queueing for visa on arrival at Bandaranaike.
Athens to Colombo connects via Dubai, Doha, Istanbul or Abu Dhabi in about 12–15 hours.
Documents required
Passport valid 6+ months
Validity must run at least six months past your intended departure, with blank pages for stamps.
Return or onward ticket
A confirmed ticket out of Sri Lanka. Both the airline and immigration officers check for this.
Accommodation address
Your first hotel booking or a host's address - the application form asks where you will stay.
Working email address
Approval arrives by email. Check your spam folder if nothing appears within 72 hours.
Credit or debit card
To pay the USD 50 fee at the payment step of the official form.
Proof of funds
Around USD 50 per day of stay is the commonly cited benchmark if an officer asks on arrival.
How Greek citizens apply, step by step
- Open the official portal
Apply at eta.gov.lk. Lookalike sites rank well in search and add a markup to the same government service.
- Select Individual and Tourist
Choose Individual (or Group/Family if you are travelling together) and Tourist as the purpose of visit.
- Enter your passport details exactly
Every field must match your passport character for character. A mismatched name or number is the most common cause of trouble at check-in.
- Pay USD 50 by card
Payment is taken by card at this step on the official portal.
- Wait for the approval email
Usually 24–72 hours. You can also check status on the portal using your reference number.
- Carry the approval to the airport
Keep a printout and a copy on your phone. Present it at check-in and again at immigration on arrival.
The only official portal is eta.gov.lk. This site is an independent guide - we do not process applications, take payments, or act as an agent.
Frequently asked questions
Do Greek citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Yes. Greek citizens must hold an approved ETA before boarding. The standard tourist fee of USD 50 applies when applying online.
How much does the Sri Lanka ETA cost for Greek citizens?
USD 50 for the online tourist ETA, or USD 60 if you pay on arrival. Applying online in advance is both cheaper and faster.
How long does approval take?
Most ETAs are approved by email within 24 to 72 hours. Apply about a week before departure so there is time to correct anything that needs fixing.
How long can I stay?
Thirty days from your arrival date, with double entry. The approval itself is generally valid for six months from issue.
Can I extend my stay?
Yes. The Department of Immigration & Emigration grants extensions in stages - typically 60 days first, then 90 days, up to roughly 270 days in total. Apply before your current permission expires.
What documents do I need?
A passport valid at least six months beyond departure, a confirmed return or onward ticket, your first accommodation address, and a working email address, plus a credit or debit card for the fee.