Do you need ETIAS for Greece?
Greece is one of the most popular ETIAS destinations, especially for British, American and Australian travellers booking summer island trips. From launch, an approved ETIAS will be needed before you fly.
In brief
ETIAS at a glance
- Status
- Not live yet
- Expected launch
- Last quarter of 2026
- Applications open
- Not yet
- Official fee
- Expected €20
- Validity
- 3 years or until passport expiry
- Stay limit
- 90 days in any 180-day period
- Official application route
- Official EU ETIAS website / app when live
- Private help
- ETIAS Pro may offer optional support when applications open
Greece at a glance for ETIAS
- Athens city breaks
- the Greek islands: Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes and Corfu
- package holidays and all-inclusive island resorts
- cruises that begin, end or stop in Greek ports
Is Greece part of ETIAS?
Yes. Greece is a Schengen country and fully inside the ETIAS scheme. The same ETIAS rules apply to Athens and the Greek islands.
Island-hopping and package holidays in Greece
Most trips to Greece are package holidays or island-hopping summers, and both work the same way for ETIAS. You need one approved authorisation before you fly, and it covers the whole stay. Hopping by ferry between Greek islands keeps you inside Greece and the Schengen area, so there is no separate authorisation for each island, and the days still count toward your 90 in 180. In peak summer the sensible move is to apply a few days before departure rather than leave it to the airport.
Do UK citizens need ETIAS for Greece?
Yes, UK travellers are expected to need ETIAS for Greece once the system becomes mandatory. The 90/180-day rule applies, so longer island-hopping trips need to fit within the allowance.
Do US, Canadian and Australian citizens need ETIAS for Greece?
Yes. Americans, Canadians and Australians are expected to need ETIAS for short stays in Greece once the system is mandatory.
What about cruises in Greece?
If a cruise calls at Greek ports and you disembark, normal ETIAS rules apply. For cruises calling at multiple Schengen countries, a single ETIAS covers all of them, but the total time ashore in Schengen still counts toward the 90/180 limit.
How long can you stay in Greece on ETIAS?
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area. ETIAS itself is expected to be valid for up to 3 years, or until the passport it is linked to expires.
When should you apply for ETIAS for Greece?
Applications have not opened. Once they do, a few days before departure is a sensible window, especially in peak summer.
Travelling to Greece? Read by nationality
Get the rules specific to your passport.
Get the ETIAS launch alert for Greece trips
Get one email when ETIAS applications open. No passport details. No payment before launch.
Common questions
What is the 90/180-day Schengen rule?
ETIAS-eligible travellers can stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within any rolling 180-day window. ETIAS does not extend that limit; it only authorises short stays within the existing rules.
How long will ETIAS last?
An approved ETIAS is expected to be valid for up to 3 years, or until the passport it is linked to expires, whichever comes first. It allows short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period within ETIAS countries.
How much will ETIAS cost?
The official ETIAS fee is expected to be €20. Travellers under 18 and over 70 are expected to be exempt from the fee, though they will still need an ETIAS. Private services may charge a separate, optional service fee for help with the application.
Is ETIAS a visa?
Technically no. ETIAS is a travel authorisation, not a visa. Many travellers search for “ETIAS visa” or “Europe visa waiver”. The closest comparison is the US ESTA system. You still need a valid passport, and ETIAS does not guarantee entry: border officers always make the final decision.
Can I apply directly through the EU?
Yes. When the official ETIAS system opens, every traveller will be able to apply directly through the official EU website or app at travel-europe.europa.eu/etias. Using a private service is always optional.
Related pages
Be ready for ETIAS before your next trip to Greece
ETIAS is not live yet. Check whether you’re likely to need it and get one email when applications open.