Greece ETIAS, who needs it and when it actually starts

ETIAS is not currently live and therefore not accepting applications. This page will be updated when a launch date has been announced. 

In mid-July 2026, the European Union removed the part on the ETIAS website that said ETIAS would be launched at the end of 2026. This means that if you’re flying to Athens in the coming weeks, you won’t need to apply. 

However, if your trip is in the next few months or even next year, that could be a different story. While today, millions of travelers from 59 countries can visit Greece on a passport alone, that isn’t the case for the near future. 

ETIAS is still in the works. This guide covers what is confirmed, what is still moving, and what all of this means if you are planning a trip to Greece. 

What is ETIAS and why does Greece require it?

ETIAS, short for European Travel Information and Authorisation System, is a pre-travel authorization. It will apply to citizens of 59 visa-exempt countries who want to visit Greece for short stays. It doesn’t only apply to Greece, though. It is launching for 30 European countries. Greece has been part of the Schengen Zone since the year 2000, which means its border rules are standardized with other members of the zone. 

When does ETIAS take effect for Greece?

No official launch date has been published. ETIAS isn’t operational yet, and no applications are being collected. The EU has said that they will announce a specific date several months before the launch. This means, at minimum, we’re quite a few months out from ETIAS going live.

The delay in ETIAS is closely tied to the introduction of the Entry/Exit System, a prerequisite for ETIAS. EES began a phased rollout in October 2025 and was declared fully operational in April 2026. 

Once ETIAS is launched, however, there will be a transitional period post-launch. Exactly what this transitional period will look like is uncertain, but it does give travelers, airports, airlines, and border authorities time to adapt to the new requirements and system. 

If anyone is telling you (or trying to sell you) a Greece ETIAS today, it is a scam. There is no live application. 

Do I need ETIAS to visit Greece?

Once the requirement has launched, you will need to apply for ETIAS before visiting Greece, depending on a few different factors. If you hold a passport from a visa-exempt country and are planning to visit Greece for fewer than 90 days, ETIAS will be mandatory. This includes travelers with passports from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and dozens of other countries. EU/Schengen country citizens do not need ETIAS. Neither for people who already need to apply for a Schengen visa to visit Greece, nor for those with long-stay visas or residence.

If you're not sure if you need a visa, you can learn more in our Greek Schengen Visa Guide.

There are a few questions you can ask yourself. Are you a citizen of an EU, EEA, or Swiss country? If yes, ETIAS doesn’t apply to you. If no, does your passport currently let you visit Greece without a visa? If yes, ETIAS applies for short trips (once it launches).

Do US citizens need ETIAS for Greece?

Eventually they will, but not at the moment. American passport holders can currently enter Greece for up to 90 days without any authorization requirements (pre-travel screenings, visas, etc.). Once ETIAS launches, that changes. American citizens will be required to get their trips approved before they leave for Greece. This approval is what ETIAS is, and it costs 20 euros per adult traveler (under 18 and over 70 can apply for free). 

This kind of system isn’t new when it comes to global travel. The US has ESTA, which works on the same principle. It’s an online application that costs $40 per person. The UK also has a similar procedure called ETA, and Australia too.

Do I need ETIAS if I already hold a Greek visa?

No. ETIAS exists to screen people who are traveling to Greece (or 29 other Schengen countries) without a visa. If you hold a Schengen short-stay visa, Greek national visa, or Greek residence permit, you do not need to apply. Do keep in mind that you can’t decide which one to apply for. Whether you need to apply for ETIAS or a Schengen visa depends mostly on your nationality. 

How to apply for ETIAS for Greece step by step

Applying for ETIAS for Greece isn’t possible yet, but here is a look at what the application process will look like once the requirement goes live. This process is defined in Regulation 2018/1240, and confirmed by the Commission. 

Gather what you need before you start

Open the official ETIAS site

There is only one official place that accepts ETIAS applications – travel-europe.europa.eu/etias, plus an official mobile app (which is still in the works). Frontex has identified over 100 unofficial sites, some already attempting to harvest personal data for a system that isn’t even active yet. Any site that is charging you today is fraudulent. The only official site is the europa.eu one. 

Fill in the application form

The online form isn’t long, but you will need to answer a few questions such as personal details, passport data, your current occupation, and your parents’ names. There are also some security questions covering any past criminal convictions. Make sure you answer all of the questions transparently and honestly. 

Pay the fee

It’s twenty euros for applications for ages 18 to 70 (outside of that, the fee is waived, but ETIAS is still required). Originally, it was set to be 7 euros per person, but in July 2026, the Commission increased the fee in Regulation 2025/1411. If you see a site claiming it’s 7 euros, that figure is out of date. Additionally, the fee is non-refundable whatever the outcome.

Submit and wait for the decision

Most applications are expected to be approved in just a couple of minutes. Your authorization will arrive via email. There’s nothing you need to wait for in the mail or even print out. Once your travel has been approved, it will be electronically linked to the passport number you used for border officials and gate agents to see. 

When can an ETIAS take up to 30 days?

Many guides forget to talk about this part – near-immediate approval will be the norm, but not a guarantee. Some files may be forwarded for manual review. If this is the case, officials have 96 hours to reach out to you to either give an answer or ask for more documentation or information before making a decision. They can also ask you to do an interview. All of this means that the entire process can take up to 30 days, but that is expected to be uncommon. 

It’s recommended that you apply in advance of your trip, just in case your ETIAS takes a bit more time. Once you do have approval, it’s valid for three years, and not just for Greece. You’re screened and approved for travel across the entire Schengen Area and Cyprus.

How long is ETIAS valid for Greece and how can you use it?

There are a couple of things that govern the validity. First, ETIAS lasts three years or until your passport expires. Second, you’re allowed to stay for up to 90 days in any given 180-day period. This is the case for the entire Schengen Area, not just Greece. 

Because it’s electronically connected to your passport, there isn’t anything you need to physically use or show while traveling. When you are at the gate at the airport, the gate agent will see that you are approved for travel when your passport is scanned or through the passport details provided. At the border, the border officer will also see it.

Traveling beyond Greece with your ETIAS

One authorization covers you for all 30 countries. If you’re starting your trip in Greece and then going to Italy, then France, you only need to apply for ETIAS one time and pay the fee once (until it is time to reapply). This means that if you arrive in Athens and then fly home from Nice, for example, your ETIAS covers you across all.

How ETIAS and EES differ

The two are commonly confused because they both apply to European travel, both start with E, and both started circulating in the media around the same time. However, they’re two separate systems that operate side-by-side. 

EES is already live and works at the border. The new system replaces passport stamps with fingerprints and facial images, recording every single entry and exit. There’s no advance prep work required on the traveler’s part. 

ETIAS isn’t live (yet) and works before the border. Travelers apply for authorization to visit Greece (or other participating countries). ETIAS pre-screens and approves them. 

Arriving in Greece, what border control will ask for

(Note: this section is for travelers who are required to get ETIAS) 

ETIAS doesn’t actually change the border review process itself. The authorization allows you to travel to the border. Even with approval, border guards can still decide not to allow you entry, which was the case before ETIAS, too. A passport allowed you to approach the Greek border. Being denied entry at the border is fairly uncommon, but it’s important to know, because it can happen, and ETIAS isn’t a carte blanche. 

Passing border control in Greece

You will need a passport that was issued within the past ten years and has, at minimum, 3+ months of remaining validity beyond your intended departure from Greece (or the Schengen Area as a whole if it’s a multi-country excursion). Once ETIAS is running, your approval will be read automatically during official passport scans, which means there isn’t a separate document you need to present. 

Still, border guards can ask to see your proof of accommodation, a return or onward ticket, and evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover your stay. 

Is travel medical insurance mandatory for Greece?

For some travelers, yes. For visa-exempt travelers, travel insurance isn’t mandatory for Greece. For Schengen visa applicants, it is a legal requirement, and the policy must meet certain minimums. 

For ETIAS applicants, proof of travel insurance isn’t required, but it’s still a good idea (in fact, the US government recommends it). The Greek public healthcare system doesn’t cover non-residents, and advance payment may be required for some services.

Frequently asked questions about ETIAS for Greece