UK and all other EU nationals (plus those of Norway and Iceland) need only a valid passport for entry to Greece; you are no longer stamped in on arrival or out upon departure, and in theory at least enjoy uniform civil rights with Greek citizens. US, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and most non-EU Europeans receive mandatory entry and exit stamps in their passports and can stay, as tourists, for ninety days. Note that such nationals arriving by flight or boat from another EU state may not be stamped in routinely at minor ports, so it's best to make sure this is done in order to avoid unpleasantness on exit.

If you are planning to travel overland , you should check current visa requirements for Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria at their closest consulates; transit visas for most of these territories are at present issued at the borders, though at a higher price than if obtained in advance at a local consulate.

Visa extensions
If you wish to remain in Greece for longer than three months, as a non-EU/EFTA national you should officially apply for an extension. This can be done in the larger cities like Athens, Thessaloni, Pra, Rhodes and Irlion through the Ypires Allodhap (Aliens' Bureau); prepare yourself for concerted bureaucracy. In other locations you visit the local police station, where the staff are apt to be more co-operative.

Unless of Greek descent, visitors from non-EU countries are currently allowed only one six-month extension to a tourist visa, for which a hefty fee is charged - up to ?150. In theory, EU nationals are allowed to stay indefinitely but, to be sure of avoiding any problems, it's best to get a resident visa and (if appropriate) a work permit. In either case, the procedure should be set in motion at least four weeks before your time runs out. If you don't already have a work permit, you will be required to present pink, personalized bank exchange receipts totalling at least ?1500 for the preceding three months, as proof that you are importing sufficient funds to support yourself without working. Possession of unexpired credit cards, a Greek savings account passbook or travellers' cheques can to some extent substitute for the pink receipts; the pages of the passbook in particular should be photocopied and given to the police.

Certain individuals get around the law by leaving Greece every three months and re-entering a few days later, ideally via a different frontier post, for a new, ninety-day tourist stamp. However, with the recent flood of Albanian and eastern European refugees into the country, all looking for work, security and immigration personnel don't always look very kindly on this practice.

If you overstay your time and then leave under your own power - ie are not deported - you'll be hit with a huge spot fine upon departure, effectively a double-priced retroactive visa extension; no excuses will be entertained except perhaps a doctor's certificate stating you were immobilized in hospital. It cannot be overemphasized just how exigent Greek immigration officials often are on this issue.