Quick answer: Yes. Greece is a full Schengen member, and that includes all of its islands: Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, Zakynthos and the rest. Days there count towards your 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area.
Last checked: 23 October 2026
If you’ve stumbled onto this question while planning a Greek holiday, the short answer is yes, Greece is fully in Schengen, including every island you might be considering. Crete, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu, all of them. There’s no special paperwork needed beyond what you’d need for any other Schengen country.
The longer answer is worth a few minutes, though, because a few common mix-ups (especially around Cyprus) are worth clearing up.
Who this matters for
This question matters most if you’re a non-EU citizen visiting Greece on a short trip. That includes:
- UK citizens
- US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and other visa-exempt visitors
- Anyone visiting on a short-stay Schengen visa
If you’re an EU or EEA citizen, you have full freedom of movement and don’t need to think about any of this. You can come and go from Greece as freely as your home country.
Why Greece feels separate (but isn’t)
There are a couple of reasons people sometimes wonder whether Greece is in Schengen.
Geography. Greece sits at the eastern edge of the EU, with only one Schengen neighbour by land (Bulgaria, which joined fully in 2025). Most journeys to Greece involve a flight, often from another Schengen country across the sea. Some people assume this geographic separation means a separate border arrangement. It doesn’t.
The islands. Greece has thousands of islands, and many travellers wonder whether places like Santorini, Mykonos or Rhodes have different rules. They don’t. All Greek territory, mainland and islands, is in the Schengen Area.
Mediterranean confusion. Greece often gets mentally lumped in with other Mediterranean destinations, including ones that aren’t in Schengen (like Cyprus, or Turkey). It’s worth keeping the three clearly separate: Greece is in, Cyprus is not (yet), and Turkey is neither in the EU nor Schengen.
What this means for your trip
Because Greece is fully in Schengen, the standard rules apply:
- The 90/180 day rule applies. Time in Greece counts toward your 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the Schengen zone. See our guide to the 90/180 day rule for the full explanation.
- EES applies at the border. Since April 2026, you’ll register your entry and exit digitally, with biometrics taken on your first crossing.
- ETIAS isn’t running yet. When it starts (no date has been set), visa-exempt visitors will need this €20 pre-travel authorisation, valid for three years or until your passport expires.
For most holidaymakers, none of this is anything to worry about. A two-week beach holiday is comfortably inside the 90-day allowance. The rules become important only if you’re planning a longer stay, taking multiple trips a year, or combining Greece with significant time elsewhere in the zone.
Do you need anything special to visit Greece?
The short answer: just your passport for now. Once ETIAS starts (no date has been set), you’ll also need an ETIAS authorisation.
For UK, US, Canadian, Australian and other visa-exempt travellers, you don’t need a visa for short stays in Greece. You’ll go through Schengen passport control on arrival, register with EES on your first crossing (a few minutes of biometric registration), and you’re in. The same applies on departure. For more on what to expect at the border, see our guide to EES.
For nationalities that need a Schengen visa, a single Schengen visa covers Greece just as it covers France, Spain or any other Schengen country.
Frequently asked questions
Is Greece a Schengen country?
Yes. Greece joined the Schengen Area in 2000 and is a full member, including all islands.
Do I need a Schengen visa to visit Greece?
Only if your nationality requires one. UK, US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and many other passport holders can visit Greece visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Are Crete, Corfu, Rhodes and the other Greek islands in Schengen?
Yes. All Greek islands are part of Greece and part of the Schengen Area, including Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, Zakynthos, Kos and Kefalonia. Days there count towards your 90 exactly like days on the mainland.
Does time in Greece count toward my Schengen 90 days?
Yes. Greece is fully in Schengen, so days spent there count toward your 90/180 allowance.
Will EES apply when I arrive in Greece?
Yes. EES has been operating across the Schengen Area, including Greek airports and ports, since April 2026.
Conclusion
Greece is fully in Schengen, including every island. For most holidaymakers, this means your trip is straightforward: passport in hand, a few minutes of EES registration on first arrival, and you’re set. The 90/180 day rule only becomes a real concern for longer stays or regular travellers.
If you’re planning multiple European trips this year, or splitting time between Greece and other Schengen destinations, the Schengen Calculator 90/180 app tracks every day automatically and shows you exactly where you stand.