ETIAS & EES explained for Corfu travellers
If you’re planning a trip to Corfu (or anywhere in Greece), there are important new travel rules coming for UK passport holders.
Two new EU systems are being introduced:
✈️ EES — Entry/Exit System (border checks using biometrics)
🧾 ETIAS — travel authorisation you’ll apply for before travel
Don’t worry — you can still visit Corfu visa-free for holidays. But from 2026, the process will change slightly.
Here’s everything Corfu travellers need to know.
🛂 What is EES? (Entry/Exit System)
EES is the EU’s new digital border system replacing passport stamping.
When you arrive in Greece (Corfu Airport included), border control will:
Scan your passport
Take a facial photo
Take fingerprints (first visit only)
Record your entry digitally
This applies to non-EU travellers, including UK citizens.
The system launched in October 2025 and is being rolled out gradually, with full operation expected during 2026.
What it means for Corfu holidays
On your first trip after rollout, expect:
Slightly longer queues at passport control
Biometric registration kiosks
No passport stamps anymore
Future trips should be faster because your data will already be stored.
EES will digitally track how long you stay, helping enforce the 90-days-in-180 rule for UK travellers.
🧾 What is ETIAS?
ETIAS is a travel authorisation (not a visa).
Think of it like the US ESTA — permission to travel that you apply for online before your trip.
Once approved, it will be linked electronically to your passport.
The EU plans to introduce ETIAS in the last quarter of 2026.
🇬🇧 Do UK travellers need ETIAS for Corfu?
Not yet.
You don’t need ETIAS for trips before it launches.
But once introduced, most UK holidaymakers visiting Greece (including Corfu) will need one.
ETIAS applies to visa-free travellers visiting Schengen countries for short stays.
💻 How ETIAS will work
When applications open, you’ll apply online before travelling.
You’ll need:
Passport details
Personal information
Basic travel info
Security questions
Most approvals are expected to be quick, although some could take longer for checks.
💶 How much will ETIAS cost?
Current EU plans indicate:
Fee for ages 18–70
Free for under-18s and over-70s
Valid for multiple trips
ETIAS will allow stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period — the same rule UK travellers already follow.
🏝️ How this affects your Corfu holiday
Summer 2026 trips
You’ll likely encounter EES border checks, but not ETIAS yet.
Late-2026 onward
You’ll probably need BOTH:
✔️ Valid ETIAS authorisation
✔️ EES biometric registration at the border
✈️ Corfu Travel Co tips for smooth travel
Before travelling
✔️ Check passport validity (EU rules still apply)
✔️ Monitor official updates — dates can shift
At the airport
✔️ Arrive earlier than usual
✔️ Have passport ready for kiosks
✔️ Expect queues during peak summer
🇬🇷 Corfu Travel Co verdict
The good news:
💙 You can still enjoy visa-free holidays in Corfu
💙 ETIAS is quick and inexpensive
💙 Travel itself won’t change — just the admin
Think of it as a new pre-travel step, not a barrier!
