Mr. Varvitsiotis was born in Athens in 1969. He graduated from the Law School of the University of Athens and completed his postgraduate studies in International Relations at Harvard University - Boston.

His political activity began in O.N.NE.D., the Youth Organization of the New Democracy Party. In 1997, he was elected member of the Central Committee of the New Democracy Party.

He has been elected to Parliament with the New Democracy Party for the Athens B' precinct since 2000. He is also a regular member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and of the Western-European Union Assembly, positions he has held since 2004.

During 2001-2004, he was Chairman of the Mercantile Marine section and during 2004-2007 of the Development section of the New Democracy Party. He was the alternate Party leader representative in Parliament (2006-2007).

During January and October 2009, Mr Varvitsiotis served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, responsible for economic diplomacy and international development assistance. During September 2007 till January 2009, he was the Chairman of the Standing Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs and Defense, a position he was elected to again in July 2012 and held this position till June 2013.

On June 25, 2013, he was appointed Minister of Shipping, Maritime Affairs and the Aegean by the Prime Minister Mr Antonis Samaras.