UK ETA for Greek Citizens: Complete Guide to Travel Authorization

What is a UK ETA for Citizens of Greece?

The UK ETA (electronic travel authorization) is a permit that allows holders to enjoy short stays in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is not a visa; instead, it is part of a digitalized screening process.

The UK ETA scheme hopes to streamline the tourism process, regulating borders and reducing lines at the border — which is expensive and time-consuming.

While previously, European citizens were exempted from requiring a visa to visit the UK, times are changing. Greek travellers can no longer visit the UK visa-free.

When does the UK ETA start?

For European applicants, the launch date was March 5th, 2025; from this date onwards, Greek passport holders and residents can apply and secure a UK ETA before arrival. These applicants require an ETA to travel to the UK from April 2nd, 2025.

Not every type of short visit is suitable with the ETA. The ETA for the UK guidelines are strict, so applicants must review the criteria independently, seeking further guidance if necessary.

A UK ETA for Greek citizens allows:

Transit for onward journeys if you are going through border control.
Visiting for 6 months or less in any of the following formats: for touristic activities, to visit friends and family, or to attend short-term business/study activities like short courses.
Attending permitted paid engagements.
Remaining for 3 months or less when holding a Creative Worker visa concession.

Should your trip align with these conditions, the UK ETA is the best option. In summary, Greek citizens should follow the approximate time frame:

March 5th, 2025 → Greek passport holders can now complete a UK ETA online application and travel with it.
April 2nd, 2025 → It is a requirement to obtain a UK ETA before traveling to the UK.

Statistics on Greek Visitors to the United Kingdom

There were approximately 240,000 visits from Greece to the UK in 2023, amassing a total expenditure of £183.8 million.

The high number of tourists visiting from Greece has undoubtedly played a role in the prioritization of its addition to the UK ETA-eligible countries. Greece is a much-loved destination for British tourists, and that exchange of holidaymakers is clearly mutual. A UK ETA for EU citizens helps to nurture these relationships post-Brexit.

Advantages of the UK ETA

After generations of visa-free travel, a certain amount of weariness when applying for an ETA for the UK is to be expected. However, Greek citizens should know it’s not at all bad news. Actually, securing a UK ETA for citizens of Greece has many advantages.

Here’s some food for thought.

A Speedy Application

Completing the UK ETA application form takes around 10 minutes; all you need is the internet and a good camera. That’s much quicker than traveling for in-person appointments at your nearest embassy. The form itself is surface-level and basic, and once completed, you get a decision within three working days.

Low-Cost

£79 is a drop in the ocean, covering both official government fees and professional services. Valid for two years and allowing multiple trips of up to 6 months each, the ETA offers great value, especially for regular UK visitors.

Flexible Criteria

The UK ETA requirements are incredibly flexible. The six-month travel permit allows for in-depth exploration of Scotland, Wales, England, and Northern Ireland. Similarly, the approval of certain study and paid engagements activities gives that extra leeway; not one trip looks the same.

UK ETA Eligibility Criteria for Greek Citizens

Decided to apply for an ETA for the UK approval? The first hurdle is nationality, which Greek citizens automatically meet starting March 5th 2025, which was the ETA for the UK launch date for EU citizens. But aside from that element of eligibility, what else should Greek nationals consider?

These are some eligibility criteria that the UK ETA question will ascertain.

No Criminal Record Applicants cannot apply for an ETA to enter the UK if they’ve received a custodial sentence of over 12 months. In these circumstances, 12 months must also have elapsed since the date of conviction.
No ETA Refusals As this guide will later explain, a refusal is entirely different from a rejection. Applicants who have received an ETA refusal are not eligible to reapply and can apply for a visit visa instead.
No History of Deportation To be eligible for the fast-track UK ETA system, your immigration record must be clean and incident-free.
Must Be Staying Less Than Six Months Six months is the absolute maximum stay using an ETA; overstaying this risks cancellation or deportation. Disclosing a trip of over six months (or failing to provide evidence of a timely departure) could result in barred entry.

UK ETA Application Process

You know who needs an ETA for the UK, and you can safely answer the question of what is an ETA. Here are four simple steps Greek applicants should follow to secure one.

Complete The Application Form

After establishing eligibility, complete the application form, including submitting high-quality images of yourself and your passport.

Pay the ETA fee

Submit a payment using a valid payment method like debit or credit card, or Google or Apple Pay, if preferred.

Review and Submit

Review all the inputted information to ensure accuracy and minimize the risk of delay or rejection. Then, click submit.

Get a Decision

You’ll have a decision sent to your email within three working days. Good luck!

Requirements for UK ETA Application

Preparing ahead of time is a superb way of streamlining the application process. The ETA for the UK 2025 requirements are as follows.

Passport

All applicants must hold a valid passport (from an eligible country, like Greece). The passport cannot expire within six months of the planned entry date to the UK.

Photo

Always apply on a suitable device with a high-quality camera. Applicants will need to supply images of themselves and their passports for identification.

Payment Method

Payment is possible via credit or debit cards, Google Pay, or Apple Pay.

Email Address

A valid email address is non-negotiable; ETA applications need a guaranteed communication avenue.

UK ETA Fees and Processing Time

That average three-day processing time is a dream for last-minute organizers. However, it’s wise to leave longer in case of hiccups or unforeseen delays in your application.

The £79 ETA for the UK fee covers both the official government charges and professional service costs. Utilizing expert guidance throughout the application process allows a more hands-off approach while also leveraging success rates.

UK ETA Validity and Duration of Stay

In a tourist capacity, Greek citizens can stay up to six months in the UK using an ETA. The permit remains valid for two years, facilitating plenty of trips for frequent travelers.

However, it’s not just about asking yourself, “Do I need a UK ETA?” for your trip purpose. The ETA’s validity is synced to the specific passport you applied with; it’s essential to reapply if this document is lost or expires.

UK ETA: Renewal and Extension Options

The UK ETA grants multiple entries of up to 6 months over a two-year period or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first. However, it cannot be extended from within the UK. Once it expires, you’ll need to submit a fresh online application to obtain a new ETA, valid for another two years. If you plan to stay in the UK for more than six months or if your situation changes, you’ll need to explore other visa options suited to your needs.

UK ETA Application: Refused vs. Rejected—What to Do Next

When applying for a UK ETA, your application might either be refused or rejected—two outcomes with distinct implications.

A refusal means your application has been permanently denied, often due to issues like not meeting eligibility criteria or having a criminal history. In such cases, you won’t be able to reapply for an ETA and must instead look into applying for a standard visa.

A rejection, on the other hand, usually results from errors or missing details in your application. You’ll be notified of what went wrong and can submit a new application after correcting the issues.

Traveling with a UK ETA: Important Details

It’s not just UK immigration jargon to contend with; there are added considerations for Greek travelers.

The unique link between your UK ETA and the specific passport you applied with means multiple passport holders must be extra conscious. Always travel with the correctly linked passport, and make a note of this if necessary.
An ETA grants permission to arrive in the UK. It doesn’t guarantee entry, and applicants will be subject to further checks. Be prepared to explain your eligibility and expand on your planned activities to an immigration officer.
Greek visitors have up to six months to explore the prettiest and most historic corners of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Since Greek drivers have an EU-issued driving license, renting a car is possible.

FAQ

Transits don’t require passengers to hold an ETA unless they are going to go through border control. Internal transits don’t pass border control; travelers remain inside the terminal to board a second flight.

Consult airlines directly to decipher which type of transit your journey will involve.

No, Greek citizens who already hold UK visas, such as work or study visas, can continue to travel as permitted by their existing documents. The same holds true for individuals with British or Irish dual citizenship. For tourism or short visits, Greek citizens did not previously require a UK visa, so there is no change to that aspect of travel either.

The UK ETA is strictly for entry into the United Kingdom and does not grant access to any other country. It’s intended solely for travel to the UK and cannot be used for onward travel or entry into other destinations.

While travel insurance isn’t a requirement for those entering the UK with an ETA, it’s still a smart idea to have it. Insurance can offer peace of mind and protection in case of unexpected events during your trip.