What do I need to know before travelling to the United Kingdom?

Since Brexit the United Kingdom is no longer part of the EU or Schengen, so different rules apply to travellers from Greece. For a tourist trip to London or another British destination you need two things: a valid passport and, in most cases, an approved ETA before you depart.

This guide is for Greek citizens travelling as tourists or on another short visit. If you hold another country's passport, see the section at the end.

1. Passport

A Greek police ID card is not enough for an ordinary tourist trip to the United Kingdom. You need a passport, and it has to be valid for the whole of your stay there. The rule about 6 months of extra validity that you meet at other non-EU destinations does not apply here.

A national ID card is accepted only in special cases, mainly for people with settled or pre-settled status through the EU Settlement Scheme, or a related family permit. If you fall into one of those categories, confirm it on GOV.UK before you book tickets.

2. What the ETA is

The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is an electronic travel permit for people who can visit the United Kingdom without a visa. It is not a visa: it gives you the right to travel to the country and it is linked electronically to the passport you named on the application.

For Greek passports the requirement has applied since 2 April 2025. From 25 February 2026 airlines enforce the digital permission to travel system strictly, which means you may not be allowed on the flight unless it can be confirmed that you hold an ETA, a visa or another valid permission.

3. Who needs an ETA

You will need an ETA if you travel on a Greek passport for tourism, to visit family and friends, for a short business trip, a conference or an event, short studies, or for a stay of up to 6 months. You also need one if you transit and pass through UK border control.

With an ETA you cannot work as an employee of a British company, settle permanently, or live in the country through a run of long, back to back visits.

Who is exempt

You do not need an ETA if you are a British or Irish citizen, if you already have a visa or permission to live, work or study in the United Kingdom, if you have settled or pre-settled status, if you are waiting for a decision on your EU Settlement Scheme application, or if you have residence permission in Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man. Also exempt are people travelling on a British overseas territories citizen or British National (Overseas) passport, residents of Ireland travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man, and anyone making an airside transit only, without passing through border control.

If you hold dual nationality and one of your passports is British or Irish, you do not apply for an ETA: you travel on that passport.

For your own case, the official Check if you need a UK visa tool gives a definitive answer in a minute.

4. Cost and application

The ETA costs 20 pounds per traveller. It is paid on submission and is not refunded.

Apply only through the official UK ETA app or GOV.UK. A number of third-party sites charge several times as much for the same job.

You will need the passport you are travelling on, an email address, a photo of your face, and a card, Apple Pay or Google Pay to pay with. Be careful to name exactly the passport you will be carrying on the trip.

The answer comes by email, usually within a day, but it can take up to 3 working days. Wait for the approval email before you travel and do not leave the application until the eve of your flight. If you applied together as a family or a group, approvals may come through at different times.

You do not need to print anything, as the ETA is linked digitally to your passport. Do keep the confirmation email on your phone though.

5. How long it lasts

The ETA is valid for 2 years from approval, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. During that time you can travel as often as you like, staying up to 6 months per visit.

Because the permission is tied to that specific passport, if it expires, is replaced, lost or stolen, you need a new ETA for the new passport.

6. Travelling with children

Every child needs their own passport and their own ETA, whatever their age. That includes infants. See also What do children need in order to travel?.

When a Greek minor travels with only one parent or guardian, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs requires a solemn declaration from the other parent with a certified signature. If the child travels with an adult who is not a parent or legal guardian, consent from both parents is required.

The British authorities can also ask for evidence of the accompanying adult's relationship to the child, particularly where surnames differ or the adult is not a parent. Depending on your case, it is useful to carry a birth or adoption certificate, the parental consent, the other parent's contact details and any custody documents.

7. Transit

If you stay in the airport's international zone and do not pass through UK border control (airside transit), you do not need an ETA.

If you do have to pass border control, collect baggage, change terminal in a way that requires entering the country, or leave the controlled area, that is a landside transit and you most likely need an ETA. If you are not sure which of the two your connection falls under, ask the airline.

8. At border control

The ETA lets you travel to the United Kingdom, but it does not guarantee entry. The final decision rests with border control, where you may be asked about the purpose and length of your trip, where you are staying, when you are returning and whether you can cover the cost of the visit.

These are not mandatory supporting documents, but it helps to have your return ticket, your accommodation confirmation, your booking details and, if you are visiting someone, their invitation to hand on your phone or in your cabin bag.

9. When you need a visa instead of an ETA

The ETA covers short visits: tourism, visiting family and friends, certain business activities. For anything more permanent the route is different.

You will need a visa if you intend to work, stay longer than 6 months, move there, take a course that requires a Student visa, marry or register a civil partnership in the United Kingdom, or if the purpose of your visit is not covered by the Standard Visitor rules.

10. Insurance and the EHIC

Travel insurance is not an entry document, but it is worth having. With a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) you are covered, under conditions, for medically necessary state healthcare while you are there. The EHIC does not replace private insurance.

11. Baggage

Baggage rules depend on the airline. What is included is shown clearly in the package, and extra bags can be added at checkout or through Manage Booking.

12. Roaming and payments

The United Kingdom is no longer part of the EU's free roaming zone. Some providers offer it anyway, others charge extra, so check your plan before you leave to avoid an unpleasant surprise on your bill.

The currency is the pound sterling (GBP). Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but prefer one that does not charge heavy fees on foreign transactions.

Before you go

A passport valid for the whole of your trip
An ETA application, where required, with the passport you will be using
The email confirming your ETA approval
Their own passport and their own ETA for every child or infant
Parental consent, if a minor is travelling without both parents
Accommodation details and your return ticket, to hand
A check on whether the purpose of your trip requires a visa instead of an ETA

Travelling on another country's passport?

The above applies to Greek passports. On another country's passport the requirements can be entirely different: you may need a visa instead of an ETA, other stay rules may apply, or extra supporting documents.

Before you book or travel, check what applies to your nationality at Check if you need a UK visa and, if any doubt remains, contact your country's embassy or consulate. The same goes if you hold dual nationality, a residence permit or a refugee travel document: what matters is which document you travel on.

ReGo cannot check or guarantee the entry requirements for every nationality. Responsibility for holding the right travel documents rests with the traveller.

Official sources

Without a valid passport and an approved ETA you may not be allowed to board. Entry rules, the cost of the ETA and the procedures change, so before every trip you need to check the latest requirements on GOV.UK and with the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Details checked on 25 August 2026.