Consulate General of Greece

I went to the consulate today after going back and forth over the last 18 months to try to sort out the paperwork i require in order to sell my parents house in Greece. They passed away quickly and suddenly leaving me the sole heir to their estate after my brothers death a year ago this Christmas. I have been attending these offices for the last 18 months back and forth to sort out the paperwork. They know me. i have become a familiar face. the receptionist asked me why i always come just as they close to the public... ( obviously she recognized me) i told her i have been trying to call but the voicemail is full and i'd be happy to make an appointment in person and come back another day but i just wanted to let her know what i would be needing that appointment for.. and i proceeded to tell her that i required verification that i am one and the same person as my maiden name and my married name are different and the government in Greece requires this documentation to complete the registration of the deaths of my family members. She asked me if i have photo ID of me with my maiden name. I haven't had photo ID in my maiden name since the day i was married in 1995. I did provide more than sufficient documentation to verify without a doubt that i was one and the same person. She shook her head before i could finish but did me the courtesy of popping her head into the office of one of her colleagues and came right back to tell me i needed I.D in my maiden name. I tried to explain that i have been legally using my married name for +25 years and that i could provide my current Canadian passport in my married name as well as my birth certificate and social insurance number in my maiden name AND last years tax return that reflected the same social insurance number in my maiden name that was used to file my taxes in my married name and i provided those documents to her. She shook her head no. she said they needed photo ID in my maiden name. i said like from 25 years ago...? she suggested she didn't know. ?! I asked what more i could provide when this other person decided to address me from behind the counter in a rude and derogatory tone and advised me that he had overheard our conversation and they could not help me. I asked him to hear me out when he abruptly cut me off and told me i am asking him to break the law and there is law that states i needed photo ID in my maiden name for the consulate to verify that i am one and the same person as the person they have been charging for documentation over the last 18 months for my parents estate. NOTE HERE i showed the same documentation to the consulate 18 months ago so i would be able to action paperwork at the consulate on behalf of my parents who were Greek citizens. Instead i asked the gentleman who spoke to me so rudely and without just cause to tell me or show me which law i was asking them to break and he got very upset and said " oh so if you want to be that way about it... i dont have to tell you what law, i only have to tell you we can't help you here, good bye" and then he walked into his office. I am appalled and shocked at how i was treated. I was in no way rude or confrontational and did nothing to deserving of this individuals rudeness, lack of compassion and ignorance. Its people like that that make people like me feel ashamed to be Greek. You, sir are in a job where you are representing a country where my parents lived, and paid taxes and were legal citizens of until their death. you didn't have any trouble with verifying my identity in my maiden and married name when you were charging me 300+ dollars to translate a one page birth or death certificate and now i am asking you to break the law??? and you are so offended you had to call me out and kick me out more or less without offering any assistance or direction WHATSOEVER. shame on you sir, and shame on the colleagues who stand by you in this treatment of people who go to you and expect you to be a decent public servant and support people who need help and direction in bridging the gap between two countries.
1 7 years ago (20-11-2017)

Mr. Ioannidis and Mr. Patrinos were a pleasure to deal with. I did not wait more than a few minutes until I was called into my appointment they are very punctual and the staff were excellent in explaining everything clearly and concisely during my appointment. Keep up the good work!
5 7 years ago (14-06-2017)

Pretty fast response. Staff is super friendly and parking is in the same building :) You have to apply in person for a Schengen Visa at the Greek Consulate by appointment, if : . your main destination (the Schengen country where you will spend the longest time) is Greece, or . you are spending the same amount of days in several Schengen countries, but Greece is your first port of entry into the Schengen region. . Visa applications can be submitted no more than three (3) months prior to the intended date of visit. . Visa applications can be submitted no less than fifteen (15) days prior to the intended date of visit. Email them and ask for interview. Their response is pretty fast which is within 1-2 days. Got interview within 2 weeks after email appointment. Got my passport with visa stamped on 14th day. Cheers.
5 8 years ago (19-05-2017)

If I can put non start I will do that, they never answer email and phone call , they have the worst service... they gave you appointment and they forget about it.. very very bad embassy
1 7 years ago (27-07-2017)

The service was great.
5 7 years ago (22-08-2017)