EES and ETIAS - everything you need to know about travelling to the Ionian

An easyJet airplane is taxiing on a runway near the coast, with blue sea and mountains in the background and white buildings nearby—perfect for those travelling to the Ionian.

You may have heard the terms EES and ETIAS being mentioned, but what are they and how will it affect you when you trvel to the Ionian for your dream charter?

The new Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin to affect travellers flying from the UK to Greece starting 12 October 2025. British guests flying to Greece should be aware that from October 2025, border crossings will take a little longer due to digital biometric checks under the EES.

ETIAS, meanwhile, will not impact British tourists until its own introduction in late 2026, so there’s nothing UK travellers need to do about ETIAS for now.

The key take out is that for EES there is no advance paperwork, no cost, and there is no ETIAS requirement until 2026.

You do not need to do anything.

Just bring a passport, allow extra time at Greek airport arrivals, and follow the instructions from border staff for a smooth entry to enjoy your Ionian adventure

An airport sign with Greek and English text shows directions for Departures and Arrivals, each with airplane icons—ideal for travelers heading to the Ionian or preparing documents like ETIAS before their journey.

What Is EES and When Does It Start?

The EES is a digital border system introduced by the EU to track non-EU nationals entering and exiting Schengen Area countries, including Greece. For air travellers from the UK, EES will gradually start from 12 October 2025 and be fully operational at all Schengen external borders by April 2026.

After this date, manual passport stamping will end. Instead, arrivals from the UK will register biometric data (fingerprints and a facial photo) at Greek border control, usually via automated kiosks or with a border officer. The first time British tourists enter Greece after EES starts, expect this registration to take a few extra minutes compared to the current system.

What Will UK Tourists Need to Do at Greek Airports?

Arriving in Greece by air, British nationals will:

  • Present their passport at Greek border control.
  • Supply biometric data, including fingerprints and a facial photograph, taken at an electronic kiosk or by an officer.
  • Answer questions about their travel plans, such as the intended length of stay and proof of funds for their visit if requested.
  • Wait a little longer at border control for this process, especially during the initial rollout. The new process should take 1-2 minutes but may cause longer lines during busy periods or as travellers adjust.

There is nothing UK travellers need to do before flying: registration happens on arrival, there is no cost, and no pre-departure paperwork is required for EES.

EES and Passport Stamping

With EES, the days of manual passport stamping are over. The system replaces stamps with electronic records of entry and exit, making it easier for authorities to monitor Schengen visa-free stays (limited to 90 days in any 180-day period for UK tourists).

What About ETIAS?

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a separate pre-travel authorisation for non-EU visitors. Importantly, ETIAS will not affect UK nationals traveling to Greece until it launches, which is expected in late 2026. Once live, British tourists will need to apply for and obtain ETIAS online before travel, pay a €20 fee, and answer questions about travel plans and background. Until then, there is no action needed regarding ETIAS for UK-Greece trips.

This post was written by Tom Fletcher

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