In October 2026, Frontex (the EU border agency) and European travel-trade bodies warned of more than 150 unofficial websites offering ETIAS, some using EU symbols. Because no application is processed before launch, any fee paid today buys nothing. When ETIAS opens, apply only on the official EU website or app.
Island airports and ports
Crete, Rhodes, Mykonos, Corfu and all the other islands are Schengen territory. A direct flight from London or a cruise call from outside Schengen means your border check, and ETIAS once live, happen on that island.
Ferries from Türkiye
Ferries from Bodrum, Kuşadası or Çeşme land on Greek islands such as Kos, Samos or Chios. Those ports are Schengen external borders: you go through passport control and EES there.
Land borders
Greece's land borders with Albania, North Macedonia and Türkiye are Schengen external borders too.
How Greece applies the EES
UK government advice says Greek authorities have indicated they will not collect fingerprints and photos from UK travellers as part of EES. Follow instructions at the border. Greek residents should show their residence document so they are not registered as visitors.
The basics, in short
- Passport issued under 10 years ago, valid 3 months after you leave.
- 90 days in any 180, all Schengen countries together.
- ETIAS at launch: €20, valid 3 years or until the passport expires.
Rollout, decision times and the 30 countries: full ETIAS guide.
FAQ
Do I need ETIAS to travel to Greece?
Not yet: ETIAS is not in operation (checked 21 October 2026). Once it starts, visa-exempt travellers will need it for Greece and all its islands.
Do I need ETIAS for a day trip from Türkiye to a Greek island?
Once ETIAS is live, yes, if your nationality is visa-exempt: the island port is your Schengen entry point.
Are the Greek islands part of Schengen?
Yes, every one of them.
Checked: 21 October 2026, against gov.uk, eur-lex.europa.eu, home-affairs.ec.europa.eu, home-affairs.ec.europa.eu. Rules can change: official sites prevail. No ETIAS start date has been announced; we will not guess one.