Immigration allows crew changes only at authorized points of entry in Greece, therefore not in all Greek ports it is feasible to conduct crew changes, unless in state of emergency, such as death/accident etc.All clearing formalities should be first completed by the Coast Guard authorities, the Customs authorities and Immigration Office before proceeding to crew changes.

EU crew changes

Crew members should have valid passports or ID in Latin characters.

Disembarkation: The Immigration Office will need a declaration form by the local Coast Guard authorities to confirm that the said person is a crew member on board the specific vessel.

Embarkation: The Immigration Office will need a declaration form by the local Coast Guard authorities to confirm that the said vessel arrived at the port or she is expected to arrive at the port within the next 48 hrs in order the crew member to join the specific vessel.

The crew should visit the Immigration Office for document and face control and then proceed to airport or to the vessel.

Non EU crew changes

On-signers

Crew member should deposit an application to the Immigration Office requesting to join the vessel. It is pre-requested to hold a valid passport.

The nationalities which need VISA formalities should obtain one either from the Greek Embassy or Consulate in his country (the agent should send in advance an invitation letter) or to hold a multi-entry Schengen VISA of Type C.

The Immigration Office will then require from the agent a declaration as per Law 1599/86 that in case the seaman will not join the vessel, the agent should be responsible to cover all his repatriation expenses.

Crew should then visit the Immigration Office in order to get an Entry & Exit stamp on his passport and then to proceed to the vessel.

Off-signers

Crew member should deposit an application to the Immigration Office requesting to sign off from the vessel. It is pre-requested to hold a valid passport.

In case the seaman does not hold a valid Schengen VISA (if so necessary) then he should apply to the local Port Immigration Office in order to obtain a single Entry/Exit VISA or a multi- entry Schengen VISA of Type C.

An e-ticket print out should be presented to the Immigration Office. The ticket should be for the entire trip till the country of origin or residency.

The Immigration Office will require from the agent a declaration as per Law 1599/86 that in case the seaman will not exit the country, the agent should be responsible to cover all the repatriation expenses.

Crew should then visit the Immigration Office in order to complete the disembarking formalities and, finally, to proceed to the airport.