If you are a non-EU visitor — for example from the US, UK, Canada or Australia — the way you clear passport control in Greece changed in 2026. Since 10 April 2026 the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational, which means your first arrival into the Schengen Area is now recorded with your fingerprints and a facial photo instead of a passport stamp. A separate online authorisation, ETIAS, is expected to launch in the last quarter of 2026.
This guide explains, in plain terms, what EES and ETIAS mean for travellers arriving at Mykonos Airport (JMK) — when they apply, how much extra time to allow, and what you need to do before you fly.
EES vs ETIAS at a glance
| EES (Entry/Exit System) | ETIAS | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Biometric border check done at the airport on arrival | An online travel authorisation you get before you fly |
| Status | Live since 10 April 2026 | Expected Q4 2026; mandatory from 2027 (transition period first) |
| What you do | Nothing in advance — fingerprints + photo taken at passport control | Apply online, pay the fee, before booking/travelling |
| Cost | Free | €20 (free for under-18s and over-70s) |
| Who | Non-EU nationals entering the Schengen Area | Visa-exempt non-EU nationals (US, UK, CA, AU, etc.) |
What is the EES?
The Entry/Exit System is an EU-wide digital border system that registers non-EU travellers each time they enter or leave the Schengen Area. It replaces the old manual passport stamp. On your first entry under EES you give a short set of biometrics — usually four fingerprints and a facial image — which are stored and linked to your passport. On later trips the process is quicker because your record already exists.
The system rolled out in phases from October 2025 and became fully operational across all 29 Schengen countries — Greece included — on 10 April 2026. Because capturing biometrics takes longer than stamping a passport, several European airports reported noticeably longer queues during the introduction, with waits reaching up to a couple of hours at the busiest times. Member states are allowed to ease checks temporarily to manage peak-season congestion.
Does the EES apply at Mykonos Airport?
This is where most travellers get confused, so here is the key rule: EES happens at your first point of entry into the Schengen Area — not necessarily at Mykonos.
- If you fly directly into Mykonos from a non-Schengen country (for example a seasonal direct flight from the UK), then Mykonos Airport is your Schengen entry point — your EES registration happens at passport control at JMK.
- If you connect through a Schengen hub such as Athens, Milan, Frankfurt or Paris, you are registered in the EES at that hub. Your onward flight to Mykonos is then an internal Schengen flight, so there is no passport control when you land at JMK — you simply collect your bags and leave.
In practice, because there are very few long-haul direct flights to Mykonos, most US, Canadian and Australian visitors are processed at their first European hub (often Athens), and arrive into Mykonos on a domestic or intra-Schengen leg with no border check. UK travellers on a direct summer flight to Mykonos, however, will clear EES at JMK itself.
How much extra time should you allow?
Mykonos is a small, highly seasonal airport with a limited number of border-control desks. In July and August, when several international flights can land close together, EES biometric processing can add to the wait. A few sensible habits:
- Have your passport ready and know the 90/180 rule. EES automatically tracks how long you have stayed; visa-exempt visitors can spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Area.
- Allow a buffer if you have a same-day ferry. If you land and need to catch a boat to another island, don't cut it close — see our guides on getting to the right ferry port and the airport-to-ferry-port transfer.
- Follow staff instructions. During busy periods airports may route first-time EES registrations through dedicated kiosks or lanes.
- Departures too. EES also records your exit, so leave enough time at check-out as well — particularly on a packed summer changeover day.
ETIAS: the other new rule (from late 2026)
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is not a visa and not the same as EES. It is an online authorisation that visa-exempt visitors — including citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Japan — will need to obtain before travelling to Greece and the wider Schengen Area.
- Cost: €20 per application (free for travellers under 18 or over 70).
- Validity: three years, or until your passport expires — covering multiple trips.
- Timing: expected to launch in Q4 2026, followed by a transitional period; it becomes mandatory in 2027. During the transition you won't be refused entry solely for not yet holding one.
- How: apply on the official EU website or app; most applications are approved quickly, but allow a few days in case yours needs review.
The single most important tip: apply through the official EU channel only. Many look-alike sites charge inflated fees for the same authorisation.
The bottom line for Mykonos travellers
For 2026, plan for two separate things. Before you fly, check whether ETIAS is required for your travel dates (from late 2026) and apply early if so. On arrival, expect the EES biometric check at your first Schengen airport — which is Mykonos only if you fly in directly from outside the Schengen Area. Build in a little extra time at passport control during the summer peak, especially if a ferry connection is waiting, and the new border process should be a minor, one-time formality rather than a holiday-ruiner.