Corfu Airport EES Guide 2026 for UK Travellers: What to Expect on Arrival and Departure
If you are flying to Corfu in 2026, there is one important border change worth knowing about before you travel: the Entry/Exit System, usually shortened to EES.
This is the EU’s digital border system for many non-EU travellers, including UK passport holders visiting Greece for short stays. It replaces the old system of manual passport stamps with a digital record of when you enter and leave the Schengen area.
For most British holidaymakers, this does not mean you need a visa for Corfu. UK travellers can still visit Greece visa-free for short holidays, as long as they stay within the usual 90 days in any 180-day period rule. What has changed is how your entry and exit are recorded at the border.
Corfu Airport’s own border control guidance says EES records the entry and exit of travellers from non-EU countries who visit participating European countries for short stays, each time they cross an external border. This means the system applies when you arrive in Corfu from the UK, and again when you leave Greece to return home.
What is EES?
EES stands for Entry/Exit System. It is the European Union’s digital border management system for non-EU nationals travelling for short stays.
Instead of relying on passport stamps, EES creates a digital record of:
your entry into the Schengen area
your exit from the Schengen area
any refusal of entry
your passport or travel document details
biometric information, such as a facial image and fingerprints, where required
The system started operating on 12 October 2025 and became fully operational across the participating European countries on 10 April 2026.
For Corfu travellers, the main thing to know is this: EES is now part of the border process. It is not something you apply for before you travel, and it is not the same as ETIAS.
Does EES apply to UK travellers flying to Corfu?
Yes, in most cases.
EES applies to nationals of non-EU countries travelling to participating European countries for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Greece is one of the countries using the system, so UK passport holders flying to Corfu for a holiday should expect EES checks at the border.
This applies whether or not you need a visa. Many UK travellers do not need a visa for a normal short holiday in Greece, but that does not mean EES does not apply. Corfu Airport’s guidance makes clear that traveller information is recorded electronically in the system whether a visa is required or not.
There are some official exemption categories, for example certain people with residence rights or specific EU/EEA documentation. But for the average UK holidaymaker visiting Corfu, it is safest to assume EES applies.
What happens when you arrive at Corfu Airport?
If you are arriving in Corfu on a UK passport, you should expect to go through Non-EU passport control. EES does not move UK travellers into the EU queue. It simply changes how your border crossing is recorded.
On your first EES registration, border control may:
scan your passport
take a photo of your face
scan your fingerprints, if required
create your digital EES record
record your entry into Greece
For children, fingerprints are not required for children under 12, but a facial image may still be taken.
If you are travelling by air from the UK to Corfu, your EES registration normally happens when you arrive at border control in Greece. The main exceptions are journeys through juxtaposed border points such as Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras, where checks may happen before leaving the UK.
Do you need to do anything before flying to Corfu?
No. For EES, UK travellers do not need to fill in a form before travelling to Corfu.
There is no EES application, no pre-travel approval and no fee. Registration happens at the border.
This is one of the biggest points to remember, because EES is often confused with ETIAS. EES is the border recording system. ETIAS is a separate travel authorisation system expected later in 2026.
So, if you are travelling to Corfu now, the border change you are dealing with is EES, not ETIAS.
If you already registered for EES in another country, do you need to do it again in Corfu?
Usually, not as a completely new first-time registration.
GOV.UK says your digital EES record is valid for 3 years, or until your passport expires. So if you have already completed your first EES registration in another Schengen country, you should normally only need to confirm your identity at the border on future trips.
This may involve providing a fingerprint or photo at passport control.
However, each new journey is still recorded. So even if you already have an EES record, your arrival into Corfu will still be recorded as an entry, and your journey home will be recorded as an exit.
Can EES affect leaving Corfu too?
Yes, and this is the part many travellers forget about.
EES records both entries and exits. That means it can affect your arrival into Corfu and your departure from Corfu Airport when you fly home.
When leaving Greece, you may be asked to confirm your identity, for example with a fingerprint or facial photo. GOV.UK also warns that EES checks may take extra time, so travellers should be prepared for possible longer waits at the border.
This matters at Corfu Airport because it is a small island airport and queues can build quickly, especially on busy summer changeover days when several UK flights leave close together.
The checks themselves may only take a few minutes per person, but when lots of passengers are travelling at the same time, small delays can add up.
The practical advice is simple: do not treat EES as only an arrivals issue. It can also affect the journey home.
Will passport control queues be longer at Corfu Airport?
Possibly.
Official guidance says EES may take passengers extra time to complete, especially during busy periods. This does not mean everyone will face huge queues, and many travellers may find the process straightforward. But it is sensible to allow extra time and avoid booking tight onward plans immediately after landing.
At Corfu Airport, queue times can depend on:
how many flights arrive or depart at once
staffing levels
how many passengers need first-time EES registration
how familiar travellers are with the process
whether self-service equipment or manual checks are being used
the time of year
Summer, school holidays and peak weekend travel days are the times when passengers should be most prepared for possible delays.
Is EES the same as ETIAS?
No. EES and ETIAS are different systems.
EES is the Entry/Exit System. It records when eligible non-EU travellers enter and leave the Schengen area. It is now in operation.
ETIAS is the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is a separate travel authorisation that UK travellers are expected to need in the future before visiting Schengen countries such as Greece.
ETIAS is expected to start later in 2026. Official EU guidance currently says the last quarter of 2026, while GOV.UK refers to Autumn 2026. No action is required from travellers at this point.
Be careful with websites claiming to sell ETIAS now. GOV.UK warns that any website selling ETIAS before the official launch should be treated as fraudulent. When ETIAS does launch, travellers should apply only through the official EU website.
Do UK travellers still need a visa for Corfu?
For normal short holidays, no.
UK passport holders can still visit Greece and the wider Schengen area visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. EES does not remove that rule. In fact, one of the reasons for the system is to help border authorities digitally track short stays.
So if you are visiting Corfu for a week or two, this is not a visa application. It is a border registration and entry/exit recording system.
If you travel to the Schengen area regularly, you should keep track of your days carefully, especially if you visit Greece, Spain, France, Italy or other Schengen countries several times in the same year.
What should UK travellers do at Corfu Airport?
The best approach is to be prepared but not panic.
When arriving in Corfu:
follow signs for Non-EU / All Passports / EES
keep your passport ready
follow the instructions from airport and border staff
be prepared for a facial photo and fingerprint scan if required
allow extra time if you have a transfer, ferry or onward journey booked
When leaving Corfu:
arrive at the airport in good time
remember passport control may take longer than it used to
do not leave your gate journey too tight
keep water, medication and essentials with you in case queues are slower than expected
follow your airline or tour operator’s advice
If you are travelling with children, older relatives or anyone who may find airport queues difficult, it is worth planning extra time and having snacks, water and medication easily accessible.
Corfu Travel Co tip
Corfu Airport can be very busy in peak season, especially on days when lots of UK flights arrive or depart close together. EES does not mean your holiday will be difficult, but it does mean passport control may feel a little different from previous trips.
If you are booking an airport transfer, try to allow a bit of breathing room rather than assuming you will be through arrivals instantly. And when flying home, get to the airport early enough that passport control delays are annoying rather than stressful.
This is especially important if you are travelling in July, August, during school holidays or on a weekend.
Official links for travellers
For the latest official information, check:
Final thoughts
EES is now part of travelling to Corfu for many UK passport holders. You do not need to apply for it in advance, and there is no EES fee. For most travellers, registration happens at border control and simply creates a digital record of your entry and exit.
If you have already registered for EES on a previous Schengen trip, you should not normally need to complete a full first-time registration again, although your entry and exit will still be recorded each time you travel.
The main thing is to allow extra time, especially at Corfu Airport during the busy summer months. EES is not something to worry about, but it is something to know about before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions About EES at Corfu Airport
Do UK travellers need to use EES in Corfu?
Yes, in most cases. UK passport holders are non-EU travellers, and Greece is one of the countries using the Entry/Exit System for short-stay visitors.
Do I need to fill in anything before travelling to Corfu?
No. For EES, British travellers do not need to fill in a form before travelling. Registration happens at border control and there is no charge.
Do UK passport holders use the EU queue at Corfu Airport?
No. UK passport holders should expect to use Non-EU passport control. EES changes how your border crossing is recorded, but it does not make UK travellers eligible for the EU passport queue.
What happens during first-time EES registration?
Your passport is scanned, a photo of your face may be taken, and your fingerprints may be scanned if required. This creates your digital EES record.
Do children need fingerprints for EES?
Children under 12 do not need to provide fingerprints. Children aged 12 and over may need to provide fingerprints as part of the EES process.
If I already registered for EES in another Schengen country, do I need to do it again in Corfu?
Usually not as a full first-time registration. Your EES record is valid for 3 years, or until your passport expires. On future trips, you may only need to confirm your identity at the border.
Will I still be checked if I have already registered before?
Yes. Even if you already have an EES record, each entry and exit is still recorded when you cross an external Schengen border.
Can EES affect departures from Corfu as well as arrivals?
Yes. EES records both entries and exits, so it can affect passport control when you arrive in Corfu and when you fly home.
Is EES the same as ETIAS?
No. EES is the digital border entry and exit system. ETIAS is a separate travel authorisation system expected to start later in 2026.
Do I need ETIAS for Corfu now?
No. ETIAS has not started yet. No action is currently required from travellers. Be careful of websites claiming to sell ETIAS before the official launch.
Will my passport still be stamped?
EES is replacing manual passport stamping with a digital entry and exit record for eligible travellers.
