Questions

Question

I have a Greek and Spanish passport {which expires in 3 months}. Logically, I am entitled to a 30-day visa-free stay. Can I go from Hong Kong to Macau and back? I would also like to go to Chengdu and return back to Hong Kong without any visa issues with the Greek passport at least.

Answer

With your Greek and Spanish passports, there are specific rules for entering Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China that you should be aware of, especially given that your passports are expiring in three months.

Hong Kong:

Greek and Spanish passport holders are generally entitled to a 90-day visa-free stay in Hong Kong. A passport that is valid for less than six months is typically not recommended for entry, as airlines and immigration may require longer validity.
Since your passports expire in 3 months, technically you may be allowed entry, but there is a risk airlines could deny boarding or immigration could be stricter. It is safer to renew your passport before traveling.

Macau:

Macau allows Greek and Spanish passport holders to enter visa-free for up to 90 days.
You can go from Hong Kong to Macau and back without a visa. Border crossings between Hong Kong and Macau are straightforward via ferry or the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.

Mainland China (Chengdu):

Mainland China requires a visa for Greek and Spanish citizens. The visa-free access for Hong Kong applies only to Hong Kong itself, not to mainland China.
There are short-term transit options (24/72/144/240-hour TWOV) in certain cities, but Chengdu currently only allows 24- or 144-hour transit without a visa for certain nationalities and specific conditions, usually involving entry and exit via Chengdu airport and onward international travel. This does not generally cover general travel around the city.
For a leisure trip to Chengdu, you would need to obtain a Chinese visa in advance.

Recommendations:

Renew your Greek or Spanish passport before travel to avoid any issues at border crossings.
You can safely visit Hong Kong and Macau visa-free once your passport is valid.
For visiting Chengdu, apply for a Chinese visa (tourist L visa) before traveling. Do not rely on visa-free entry from Hong Kong for mainland China.
Always check current entry requirements before your trip, as rules can change, especially regarding transit and visa-free access.

In summary, Hong Kong and Macau are fine for visa-free visits with your EU passport (assuming it is accepted with 3 months validity), but mainland China (Chengdu) will require a formal visa. Renewing your passport before departure is strongly advised to ensure smooth travel.