UK to Greece ETIAS: what British travellers need to know
Athens, the islands and summer island-hopping make Greece one of the most-booked trips from the UK. Here is how ETIAS will apply, including longer island holidays.
Quick answer
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
Does a British passport holder need ETIAS for Greece?
Yes. Since Brexit, UK citizens are visa-exempt third-country nationals for Greece, the group ETIAS covers. Once it is mandatory, a British passport holder will need an ETIAS for an island holiday, an Athens city break or a cruise calling at Greek ports.
When will UK travellers need ETIAS for Greece?
Not yet. ETIAS is expected in the last quarter of 2026, with a transition window before it is strictly required. Applications cannot be made today.
Athens, the islands and island-hopping
The same rules apply to Athens and to the islands, including Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes and Corfu. Island-hopping stays within Greece, so the time counts toward the same 90 days in any 180-day Schengen total. Longer island summers need to fit inside that allowance.
Cruises and summer holidays
If a cruise stops at Greek ports and you disembark, normal ETIAS rules apply. A single ETIAS covers a cruise that calls at several Schengen countries, but the total time ashore still counts toward the 90/180 limit.
Passport validity and the 90/180 rule
Two passport rules matter for UK travellers to Greece. Your passport should have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter, and it should still be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area. Separately, the 90 days in any 180-day rule caps how long you can stay across all Schengen countries combined, not just Greece. ETIAS is linked to one passport and is expected to last up to 3 years, or until that passport expires.
What to do now
Nothing urgent. Check your passport against the two rules above for your travel dates, and renew it early if it is close to 10 years old. When ETIAS opens you will apply online for the expected €20 and most decisions should arrive within minutes. You can get one email from us the day it goes live.
Greece entry checklist for UK travellers
- A UK passport issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area.
- An ETIAS authorisation once the system is live, one per traveller including children.
- Your flight, ferry or cruise booking and accommodation details.
- Travel insurance for the trip.
- A rough tally of recent Schengen days, to stay within 90 in any 180.
Get the ETIAS launch alert for Greece trips
Get one email when ETIAS applications open. No passport details. No payment before launch.
Common questions
Do UK citizens need ETIAS?
Once ETIAS becomes mandatory, UK citizens travelling for short stays to participating European countries are expected to need an ETIAS authorisation linked to their British passport. They will not need ETIAS for Ireland (Common Travel Area).
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.
What if my passport expires before my ETIAS does?
ETIAS is expected to be linked to a single passport. If that passport expires, your ETIAS expires with it. After renewing your passport, you will need to apply for a new ETIAS using the new passport details.
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.
Can I apply for ETIAS now?
No. The official ETIAS system is not open yet, so it is not possible for anyone to apply. Any website claiming to issue ETIAS today is not legitimate.
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.