ETIAS for Greece

Greece is one of the most popular Schengen destinations for travelers from outside the EU. Once ETIAS launches — expected in the final quarter of 2026 — the same single authorization that covers France, Germany, or Spain will also cover Greece, its islands, and its ferry and air links to the rest of the Schengen Area. There is no separate Greek visa-waiver scheme to research. The mainland, along with hundreds of inhabited islands across the Aegean and Ionian Seas, all fall under the same Schengen rules once ETIAS is in place.

Getting to Greece

Athens International Airport (ATH) is Greece's main gateway for long-haul travelers, with Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) in the north and Heraklion Airport (HER) on Crete also handling significant international traffic, alongside busy seasonal routes into island airports serving Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, and Corfu. Piraeus, the port of Athens, is one of the busiest passenger ports in the Mediterranean and a common arrival point for cruise travelers as well. Ferries link many Greek islands to each other and to neighboring countries, but ETIAS is checked at your first point of entry into the Schengen Area, whichever Greek airport or port that turns out to be.

Do I Need ETIAS to Visit Greece?

Yes. Visa-exempt travelers, including passport holders from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Japan, will need an approved ETIAS to enter Greece once the system is live. It permits stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area, not just Greece, and the €20 fee — waived for applicants under 18 or over 70 — is identical to what travelers pay for any other Schengen country.

When Should I Apply for ETIAS Before a Trip to Greece?

Because island-hopping itineraries often involve several flights or ferries booked close together, it's worth applying for ETIAS as soon as your travel dates are confirmed rather than at the last minute. Most applications are approved within minutes, but the EU allows up to 30 days for cases that need manual review, and a delayed application could disrupt tightly connected inter-island travel plans. This is especially worth planning around for trips that combine a few days in Athens with onward travel to the islands, since ferry and flight schedules can be tightly booked in the high season.