UK citizens visiting Greece for tourism need a valid passport and can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) became fully operational at external Schengen borders on 10 April 2026, replacing passport stamps with biometric registration. ETIAS, the pre-travel authorisation, had no confirmed start date at our last check, so UK travellers still travel with a passport alone.
Passport
Your passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area. Check the UK government’s travel advice for Greece for the most current rules.
EES: the new border registration
The Entry/Exit System registers non-EU travellers’ fingerprints and facial image at the border. It started in stages in October 2025 and reached full operation on 10 April 2026. Allow extra time at passport control at Athens airport in busy periods.
ETIAS: not yet required
ETIAS is an online travel authorisation planned for non-EU visitors. At our last check no start date had been announced, and applications could not yet be made. Rely on the official EU and UK government pages for the latest, and beware of unofficial sites that charge for applications.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Greece as a UK citizen?
No, not for tourism of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Will my passport be stamped?
No. Since EES became fully operational, entry and exit are recorded digitally.
Written by the Greece Tours team (MyWay Travel). Prices quoted are our own indicative “from” prices unless a source is named.
