Important Update for Third-Country Nationals Travelling to Greece & Schengen

The way your Schengen stay is calculated has changed.

From 10 April 2026, passport entry stamps are no longer used for third-country nationals entering the Schengen Area in the same way as before.

Instead, entries and exits are registered electronically through the EU Entry/Exit System (EES).

What does this mean for travellers?

🔹 No traditional passport stamp for your Schengen entry
Your entry is electronically recorded in the EES.

🔹 Your 90/180-day calculation continues to apply
You can generally stay for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period, subject to your nationality, visa status and applicable rules.

🔹 Use the official EU Stay Calculator
Travellers can check their remaining permitted stay through the EU's online calculator:
Check your permitted stay – EU Stay Calculator

🔹 Important: previous stays still matter
The online calculator does not automatically take into account periods spent in the Schengen Area before 10 April 2026. Those periods may therefore need to be checked using previous passport stamps and travel records.

🔹 The date and time of departure matter
Because the EES operates using UTC time, travellers should pay particular attention when departing around midnight or the system's cut-off time.

⚠️ For yacht owners, crew, charter guests and frequent travellers

This is particularly important for international yacht owners, crew members, charter guests and other frequent visitors to Greece, especially where several Schengen entries and exits have taken place during the same 180-day period.

Do not rely solely on the absence of a passport stamp.
Keep accurate records of your entries, exits and previous Schengen stays.

📌 The safest approach is to check your EES status and calculate your remaining permitted stay before planning your next Schengen entry.

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