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Country guide · Greece

Greece travel apps and what you need before you go

Greece follows Schengen rules: many visitors, including US, UK, Canadian and Australian citizens, can stay up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa, and since April 2026 non-EU travellers are registered at the border in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES). ETIAS is not running yet, so there is nothing to apply for. On the ground, book ferries with Ferryhopper or the operators' own apps, tap a contactless card on Athens public transport, call licensed taxis with FREENOW, Uber or Bolt, and order food on efood or Wolt.

Checked against official sources on 22 October 202611 apps · 5 to set up at home
Three blue church domes above the sea in Oia, Santorini
Photo: Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0

What you need to enter Greece

Rules depend on your passport. Check if you need a Schengen visa with a Greek consulate or the EU's official travel site before you book.

Schengen visa or visa-free stay

Greece is in the Schengen area. Many passports, including US, UK, Canadian and Australian, are visa-exempt for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across all Schengen countries combined. Earlier Schengen days in the previous 180 count towards the limit. Nationals of countries on the EU visa list need a Schengen visa from a Greek consulate.

Source: Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Embassy in Washington): Visas · GOV.UK: Greece entry requirements · US Department of State: Greece · EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, visa lists

Passport validity

Non-EU visitors need a passport issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area.

Source: Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Embassy in Washington): Visas · GOV.UK: Greece entry requirements

Entry/Exit System (EES)

The EU's Entry/Exit System started in October 2025 and has been fully running at all external Schengen borders since 10 April 2026. Non-EU short-stay visitors have their passport details, a face photo and fingerprints recorded on first entry, and passports are no longer stamped. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip.

Source: European Union: EES · eucrim: EES fully operational since 10 April 2026 · GOV.UK: Greece entry requirements

ETIAS

ETIAS, the planned EUR 20 travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, is not in operation and no start date has been announced. The EU says it will give several months' notice. Do not pay any site offering an ETIAS today.

Source: European Union: ETIAS · Government of the Netherlands: ETIAS · SchengenVisaInfo (19 October 2026)

Funds, return ticket and customs

Border officers may ask to see a return or onward ticket and proof that you have enough money for your stay; credit cards can count. Declare cash of EUR 10,000 or more when you arrive or leave, and do not bring meat or dairy products from outside the EU.

Source: US Department of State: Greece · GOV.UK: Greece entry requirements

Before you fly: 7 steps

  1. Check if your passport needs a Schengen visa.
  2. Make sure your passport is under 10 years old and valid 3 months beyond your departure from Schengen.
  3. Count your Schengen days for the last 180 days if you travel in Europe often.
  4. Book summer ferries early with Ferryhopper or the operator's app.
  5. Set up FREENOW or Uber with your home number and card before you fly.
  6. Download offline Google Maps for the islands you will visit.
  7. Pack a Type C/F plug adapter if your devices need one.

The apps that matter in Greece

Grouped by the job they do. Set up at home means install it and sign in before you fly, while you still have your home number and Wi-Fi.

Taxis and ride hailing

FREENOW

Greece's main taxi app, now Freenow by Lyft, which took over the Greek app Beat.

Set up at home

Book and pay for licensed taxis in the app, so you avoid haggling or cash. Register with your home number before you fly.

Official siteSource: Freenow Greece · CNN Greece: Beat becomes Free Now

Uber

Books licensed taxis in Athens, Thessaloniki and on islands such as Mykonos, Santorini and Corfu.

Set up at home

In Greece Uber works with taxi drivers, so expect a regular taxi at taximeter rates rather than a private car. Handy if your card is already set up in the app.

Official siteSource: Uber Greece · Uber Greece: drive with Uber (taxi drivers)

Bolt

Ride app operating in Athens, Crete and Mykonos.

Set up at home

Compare its price with FREENOW and Uber at busy times, especially at the airport and ports.

Official siteSource: Bolt Greece: Cities

Metro, buses and city transport

Ferryhopper

Search and book ferries from most Greek operators, including Blue Star, Seajets, Minoan and Golden Star, in one app.

Most operators accept its e-tickets on your phone, and the booking flow tells you when a line still needs a printed ticket from the port office. For Seajets, check in online between 48 and 2 hours before sailing to get a mobile boarding pass.

Official siteSource: Ferryhopper · Ferryhopper: Seajets e-tickets and online check-in

seamore (Blue Star Ferries)

Attica Group's app for Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, Superfast Ferries and ANEK Lines.

One login covers all four companies, and frequent sailors can earn and spend Seasmiles points. Useful if most of your hops are on Blue Star routes in the Cyclades and Dodecanese.

Official siteSource: Attica Group: seamore mobile app (July 2025) · Blue Star Ferries

Athens public transport (contactless and ATH.ENA GO)

Tap a contactless bank card, phone or watch at validators on the Athens metro, buses, trolleys and tram, or keep a digital travel card in the ATH.ENA GO app.

Tap the same card every time so you are charged the right fare. The airport section of the metro costs more than a city ticket. OASA Telematics shows live bus and trolley arrivals.

Official siteSource: OASA · Proto Thema: contactless payments on metro, trams, buses and trolleys (January 2025) · To Vima: ATH.ENA GO digital ticket (November 2025)

Trains and long-distance travel

Hellenic Train

Greece's rail operator, for Athens to Thessaloniki and suburban and regional lines.

Buy online or in the app, where you can also move a ticket to another date or time.

Official siteSource: Hellenic Train

Maps

Google Maps

Driving, walking and Athens public transport directions, plus ferry ports and island roads.

Set up at home

Download offline maps for each island before you sail, as mountain roads and some beaches have weak signal.

Official siteSource: Google Maps

Messaging and calls

WhatsApp or Viber

How hosts, small hotels, boat trips and tavernas often confirm bookings and send directions.

Set up at home

Keep both on your home number so a host can reach you while you are on roaming or an eSIM.

Official siteSource: WhatsApp · Viber

Food and delivery

efood

Greece's biggest food and grocery delivery app.

Owned by Delivery Hero and moving to SSW Partners in 2026, but expected to keep running as normal. Uber Eats has postponed its Greek launch to 2027.

Official siteSource: in.gr: Uber Eats puts Greece launch on hold (July 2026) · newmoney.gr: efood outside the Uber deal (July 2026)

Wolt

Food and shop delivery in Athens, Thessaloniki and many islands, including Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Rhodes, Corfu and Crete.

Compare the same restaurant with efood, as restaurant lists and fees differ.

Official siteSource: Wolt Greece

Money: Euro (EUR)

Cards and phone payments work in most shops, restaurants and taxis, and taxis must display that they take cards. Still carry some euros, as small vendors, kiosks and some island businesses or taxis may ask for cash. When a card machine or ATM offers to charge in your home currency, choose euros.

Practical things to know

Plugs
Types C and F (two round pins); 230 V.
Emergency number
112 for police, ambulance and fire.
Climate resilience fee
Hotels and rentals add a per-room, per-night fee. From April to October it is EUR 2 at 1-2 star hotels, EUR 5 at 3 stars, EUR 10 at 4 stars, EUR 15 at 5 stars and EUR 8 for most short-term rentals, with lower rates from November to March. Rates are unchanged for 2026.
Cruise passenger fee
Cruise passengers pay a fee per port call, usually built into the cruise fare: EUR 20 at Mykonos and Santorini from June to September, less at other ports and in other months.
Mobile data
EU SIMs roam at home rates. Others can buy an eSIM or a Greek prepaid SIM; prepaid SIMs need ID to register.
Tipping
Not required. Rounding up or leaving 5 to 10 percent for good table service is common.

Questions travelers ask

Do I need ETIAS to visit Greece?

Not yet. ETIAS is not in operation and no start date has been announced. The EU says it will give several months' notice before it starts.

What is the EES and what happens at the border?

The Entry/Exit System records non-EU short-stay visitors digitally instead of stamping passports. On your first entry your face and fingerprints are taken. It has been fully running since 10 April 2026.

Does Uber work in Greece?

Yes, but it books licensed taxis rather than private cars. FREENOW is the most used taxi app, and Bolt runs in Athens, Crete and Mykonos.

Can I pay for the Athens metro with my bank card?

Yes. Tap a contactless bank card, phone or watch at the validators on the metro, buses, trolleys and tram. Use the same card for every tap.

What is the Greek climate resilience fee?

A charge per room per night collected by hotels and rentals. In 2026 it runs from EUR 2 to EUR 15 a night in April to October depending on the type of stay, and less in winter.

Do I need cash on the Greek islands?

Cards work in most places, but carry some euros for small cafés, kiosks, beach stalls and the occasional taxi.

Sources

Checked on 22 October 2026. Entry rules change, so confirm with the official links before you travel.

Found a mistake? Report a correction and we’ll check it against the source.

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