The topic that has been attracting great attention for years from almost everyone traveling outside of Serbia, and represents a headache for a large number of parents, is one seemingly very ordinary question:
Is it necessary to have parental consent for the travel of a minor child, and in which cases?
Here is a brief and clear guide that will help you pass through border control without stress. At the end of the text, you can find a table where you can clearly see in which situations consent is required and in which it is not.
Before you depart, make sure to check if your passports are valid and for how long they must be valid for entry into Greece - we have detailed this in the article Passport Validity for Entry into Greece.
When MUST you obtain consent?
According to our law, a notarized consent is mandatory for children under the age of 16 in the following cases:
- Child is traveling alone: Without parents or any other guardian.
- Child is traveling with someone other than a parent: This includes traveling with grandparents, older relatives, friends, or within school and sports groups (team leader).
In these situations, consent must be signed by
- both parents (if the child lives in a household with both parents) or
- one parent or guardian of the child (in case of divorce, or death of one parent, the parent who is the guardian of the child signs the consent - exercises parental rights independently).
What if the child is traveling only with one parent?
This is the most common situation and the good news is that the law does not require consent from the other parent.
- Greece and Serbia: Our laws are aligned on this issue, so parents traveling with children to Greece do not need to notarize this document.
Advice for additional security: Although there is no legal obligation, if you want to feel completely secure and avoid any additional questions from border police, you can obtain consent from the other parent. This is often a practice among parents who want to preempt any possible inconvenience at the border.
What if I am divorced or a sole guardian?
If the child belongs to you by court decision and you are the sole legal guardian, the rules are even simpler:
- Traveling alone with the child: You do not need anyone’s consent. However, to immediately prove your status at the border and avoid unnecessary questions, bring along an authenticated copy of the court ruling on guardianship. This is your most secure proof.
- Sending the child on a trip with someone else (e.g., grandparents): In this case, you go to a notary and sign the consent by yourself. The signature of the other parent is not required because you make decisions about the child independently.
Look more clearly in this table which situation applies to you.
| Situation (Who is traveling?) | Is consent mandatory? | Who signs at the notary? | Additional advice / document |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child travels with both parents | NO | / | Passports are sufficient. |
| Child travels with one parent | NO | / | If you want additional security, obtain consent from the other parent. |
| Child travels with someone else (grandparents, coach, etc.) | YES | Both parents | Recommended bilingual form (SRB/ENG). |
| Child travels with a parent-guardian (divorced) | NO | / | Be sure to bring an authenticated copy of the court ruling stating your guardianship. |
| Child travels with others, but has one guardian | YES | Only that parent | Recommended bilingual form (SRB/ENG). |
This document may also be requested by the police of the country you are entering. If you are traveling somewhere other than Greece, it is best to check their rules in advance at the embassy.
When traveling to Greece for the first time, also check our [complete guide to the most important documents and rules at the border.
Where and how to notarize this document?
You can do everything at any public notary. The procedure is quick and simple.
What must be included in the consent:
- Child’s information: Name, address, ID number, and child’s passport number.
- Escort’s information: Name of the person traveling with the child, as well as their ID or passport number.
- Travel information: Where the child is traveling (destination) and the period of stay.
- Parents’ information: Names, addresses, ID numbers, and the issuing authority.
Useful information:
- Presence of the child: Not necessary.
- Bilingual form: If the child is traveling with a third party, we recommend preparing the consent in Serbian and English, so that Greek customs officers can understand it.
Reminder: what to bring to the notary:
- Your ID.
- Child’s birth certificate and ID number (it does not have to be “new”, it can be older than 6 months).
- Child’s passport number.
- Escort’s information: Name, ID, and passport number of the person accompanying the child.
Final step before departure:
We recommend packing the notarized consent directly with the child’s passport so that it is always at hand for them. A small trick for additional security: Take a photo of the notarized consent on your phone and send it to the child (if they have their own phone). This way, both you and the child will have a digital copy with you at all times, just in case.
While preparing documents for the child, also check if you have appropriate travel health insurance - read about what it covers and how much it costs in our guide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
We provide these tips to help you, based on our long experience and official regulations.
1. My child is 16 or 17 years old\, do they need consent?
ANSWER: No. According to the laws of the Republic of Serbia, as soon as a child turns 16, they can travel alone or with friends without parental consent. They just need a valid passport (or ID card for countries where it is accepted).
2. I am traveling with my child to Greece\, but our surnames are different. What should I do?
ANSWER: This is a situation that often confuses border police because it is not immediately clear that you are the child’s parent.
- Solution: Be sure to bring the original or authenticated copy of the child’s birth certificate. There are bilingual forms available, so ask the registrar to issue one for you.
- Why: The birth certificate contains your name and ID number, which is the only irrefutable proof that you are the mother/father, regardless of the surnames in your passports not matching at the moment. Without this document, the officer may suspect abduction or unauthorized removal of the child across the border.
3. My spouse and I are married. Do I need their consent if I am taking the child to the sea?
ANSWER: Legally - no. If you are traveling to Greece or Montenegro, and the parents are married, the escort of one parent is sufficient. Consent is obtained only if you want to be 100% sure in case of additional checks at the border.
4. I am a single parent\, the father is not recognized or listed in the birth certificate. What do I bring?
ANSWER: You are the sole guardian. At the border, bring the original birth certificate of the child (where it is evident that there is no information about the father). This is your proof that you do not need anyone’s consent.
5. We all came to Greece together by car\, but the child needs to return by plane with the grandmother/coach/one parent. What then?
ANSWER: If the child is returning with someone who is not a parent, they must have consent signed by both parents. Notarize it in Greece (simboliografos). You will find them in every major town or administrative centers (Kassandra for Kassandra, Nea Moudania, and similar). Even though you entered Greece together, it does not change the rule for leaving the country. If the child is returning with one parent, consent is not legally required, but if they are returning with someone who is not a parent, or alone - they must have consent from both parents.
6. Does the consent need to be in English?
ANSWER: If the child is traveling with a third party (coach, relatives), it is highly recommended to be in English. Greek customs officers may not understand Serbian, and a bilingual form solves all potential issues in seconds.
Planning a trip to Greece with children?
Also, check out our detailed guides on:
- Best places in Greece for family vacations with children
- Doctors, emergency numbers, and insurance in Greece - all tourists need to know
- Rules for transporting children in cars
We are always here to help you explore Greece! We offer over 3,000 accommodations throughout Greece. Choose the one that suits your family HERE. For immediate internet access upon crossing the border, there is also the Nikana eSIM card - activation in a few minutes, without waiting and without the need to replace a physical card.
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