Travellers who currently enter Greece and the rest of the Schengen area without a visa should expect a new requirement before the year is out. The EU’s European Travel Information and Authorisation System - known as ETIAS - is set to launch in the fourth quarter of 2026, and the European Commission has indicated it will announce the exact go-live date with a few months’ notice.
What Is ETIAS?
ETIAS is a mandatory pre-travel authorisation for nationals of countries that do not need a visa to visit the Schengen area. It is not a visa - the application is online, takes a few minutes, and in most cases is approved within minutes of submission.
The authorisation costs €20 for applicants aged 18 to 70. Those under 18 and over 70 are exempt from the fee. Once approved, an ETIAS is valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and covers multiple trips to any Schengen country during that period.
The system affects travellers from over 60 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea, among others. EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals are not affected.
How It Fits With EES
Greece has already moved to the Entry/Exit System (EES), which launched in April 2026 and records biometric data for all non-EU visitors at border crossings. ETIAS is a separate, upstream step: you apply for ETIAS before travelling; EES records your actual entry once you arrive.
If you have visited Greece since April 2026, you will already have an EES record. ETIAS will not duplicate that process - it simply adds a pre-screening check completed from home before you board your flight.
When Does It Become Mandatory?
The EU has signalled a grace period of approximately six months after ETIAS launches, during which border officers may allow entry even without an authorisation while the system beds in. In practice, that means full enforcement is unlikely before spring 2027. However, airlines and ferry operators are expected to begin checking ETIAS compliance at check-in as soon as the system goes live.
Our ETIAS guide for Greece covers the application steps, eligibility rules, and what to do if your application is not immediately approved. We also have full information on flights to Greece if you are in the early stages of planning a trip.
What to Do Now
If you are planning to visit Greece - whether for a week exploring Athens and the islands or a longer stay - you do not need to do anything today. ETIAS applications will not open until the system launches. When it does, applying early is sensible: while same-day approvals are the norm, a small percentage of applications are flagged for manual review, which can take up to 30 days.
Watch the official EU ETIAS portal for the confirmed launch date. Greece’s tourism season winds down in October and November, meaning most travellers affected by the initial rollout will be those visiting for winter city breaks in Athens or Thessaloniki.