Milos Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Milos is a stunning Greek island in the Cyclades archipelago, and entry requirements follow those of Greece and the European Union's Schengen Area. As part of Greece, Milos adheres to Schengen visa policies, meaning travelers' entry requirements depend on their nationality and the purpose and duration of their visit. Most visitors arrive by ferry from Athens (Piraeus or Rafina ports) or by domestic flight to Milos National Airport, though immigration checks typically occur at the first point of entry into Greece rather than on the island itself. The immigration process for Milos is generally straightforward for tourists. If arriving by ferry from another Greek island or mainland Greece, there are typically no passport checks as you're already within the country. However, if Milos is your first entry point into Greece (via flight from outside the Schengen Area), you'll go through standard immigration procedures at the airport. Travelers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended departure date from the Schengen Area and was issued within the last 10 years. Before traveling to Milos, visitors should verify their visa status, ensure they have adequate travel insurance, and familiarize themselves with customs regulations. While Greece is known for welcoming tourists, having proper documentation, proof of accommodation, and evidence of sufficient funds for your stay will help ensure a smooth entry process. It's also wise to check current health requirements, as these can change based on global health situations.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

Milos follows Greece's visa policy as part of the Schengen Area. Visa requirements depend on your nationality, the purpose of your visit, and the intended length of stay.

Visa-Free Entry

EU/EEA citizens: unlimited stay. Other visa-exempt countries: 90 days within any 180-day period

Citizens of EU/EEA countries and many other nations can enter Greece without a visa for tourism or business purposes

Includes

All EU member states United States United Kingdom Canada Australia New Zealand Japan South Korea Singapore Malaysia Israel United Arab Emirates Brazil Argentina Chile Mexico Switzerland Norway Iceland

Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond intended departure from Schengen Area. The 90/180 rule applies: you can stay 90 days within any 180-day period. Days spent anywhere in the Schengen Area count toward this limit.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETIAS)

90 days within any 180-day period

Starting in 2025, visa-exempt travelers will need ETIAS authorization before entering the Schengen Area

Includes

United States United Kingdom Canada Australia New Zealand Japan and other currently visa-exempt non-EU countries

How to Apply: Apply online at official ETIAS website at least 96 hours before travel. Application involves providing personal information, passport details, and answering security questions. Processing typically takes minutes to a few days.
Cost: €7 (approximately $7-8 USD). Free for travelers under 18 or over 70.

ETIAS authorization is valid for 3 years or until passport expiration, whichever comes first. It allows multiple entries. This requirement has not yet been implemented but is expected in 2025.

Visa Required

Typically 90 days within 180-day period for tourist visas, but varies by visa type

Citizens of countries not on the visa-exempt list must obtain a Schengen visa before traveling

How to Apply: Apply at the Greek embassy or consulate in your country of residence, or at a designated visa application center. Applications should be submitted 15 days to 6 months before travel. Required documents typically include completed application form, valid passport, photos, travel insurance, proof of accommodation, flight bookings, and financial means.

Processing time is typically 15 calendar days but can take up to 45 days in some cases. Visa fees are approximately €80 for adults, €40 for children 6-12 years. Countries requiring visas include China, India, Russia, Turkey, South Africa, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and many others.

Arrival Process

The entry process for Milos depends on your arrival point. Most international travelers will clear immigration at Athens International Airport or Piraeus Port before continuing to Milos. If arriving directly to Milos from outside Greece, immigration procedures occur at Milos National Airport.

Document Preparation

Have your passport, return/onward ticket, accommodation details, and any required visas ready before reaching immigration. EU/EEA citizens can use automated gates at major airports if available.

Immigration Control

Present your passport to the immigration officer. They may ask questions about your trip and stamp your passport (non-EU travelers). EU/EEA citizens typically show their ID card or passport without receiving a stamp.

Baggage Claim

Collect your checked luggage from the designated carousel. Ensure all your bags have arrived before proceeding to customs.

Customs Declaration

Proceed through customs. Choose the green channel (nothing to declare) if you have no restricted items, or red channel if you have items to declare. Random checks may occur.

Exit and Onward Travel

Exit the arrivals area. If Milos is not your first entry point, domestic travel within Greece (ferry or flight from Athens to Milos) requires no additional immigration checks.

Documents to Have Ready

Valid Passport

Must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area and issued within the last 10 years. EU/EEA citizens can use national ID cards.

Visa or ETIAS (when implemented)

Required for applicable nationalities. Print a copy even if electronic.

Proof of Accommodation

Hotel reservation, rental confirmation, or invitation letter if staying with friends/family. May be requested by immigration officers.

Return or Onward Ticket

Proof that you will leave the Schengen Area within the allowed timeframe. Can be requested at immigration.

Travel Insurance

Proof of travel insurance with minimum €30,000 medical coverage is recommended and may be required for visa applicants.

Proof of Sufficient Funds

Bank statements, credit cards, or cash to demonstrate you can support yourself during your stay (rarely checked but good to have).

Tips for Smooth Entry

Keep all travel documents in an easily accessible location, not packed in checked luggage.

Make copies of your passport and important documents. Store digital copies in cloud storage or email them to yourself.

Calculate your Schengen days carefully using online calculators if you've visited Europe recently. Overstaying can result in fines and future entry bans.

If arriving at Athens Airport and continuing to Milos, allow at least 3-4 hours between flights to account for immigration, customs, and potential delays.

Have your accommodation address written down in Greek if possible, as this can be helpful when communicating with officials.

Be polite and patient with immigration officers. Answer questions clearly and honestly.

If taking a ferry to Milos, keep your passport accessible as occasional checks may occur, though domestic ferries within Greece rarely require document checks.

Customs & Duty-Free

Greece follows EU customs regulations. When entering Milos via Greece, you must declare goods that exceed duty-free allowances or are restricted. Customs checks typically occur at your first point of entry into Greece (Athens Airport or Piraeus Port) rather than on Milos itself.

Alcohol (from non-EU countries)

1 liter of spirits over 22% alcohol OR 2 liters of alcoholic beverages under 22% alcohol, PLUS 4 liters of wine, PLUS 16 liters of beer

Must be 17 years or older. Different limits apply when traveling from EU countries (higher allowances for personal use).

Tobacco (from non-EU countries)

200 cigarettes OR 100 cigarillos OR 50 cigars OR 250g of tobacco

Must be 17 years or older. Can combine products up to the total limit. Higher allowances apply when traveling from EU countries for personal use.

Currency

€10,000 or equivalent

Amounts of €10,000 or more (or equivalent in other currencies) must be declared when entering or leaving the EU. This includes cash, checks, traveler's checks, and money orders.

Gifts/Goods (from non-EU countries)

€430 per person by air or sea (€300 if under 15 years old); €300 by land

Goods exceeding this value are subject to customs duty and VAT. Value is determined by purchase price or market value.

Prohibited Items

Illegal drugs and narcotics - severe penalties including imprisonment
Counterfeit goods and pirated products - subject to confiscation and fines
Weapons and explosives without proper authorization - requires special permits
Endangered species products - protected under CITES regulations (ivory, certain shells, coral, etc.)
Meat and dairy products from non-EU countries - strict restrictions due to animal health regulations
Plants and plant products without phytosanitary certificates - agricultural protection measures

Restricted Items

Prescription medications - bring in original packaging with prescription; carry only quantities for personal use during your stay
Drones and aerial photography equipment - restrictions apply in certain areas; check local regulations before use
Archaeological artifacts and cultural items - strictly prohibited to export; severe penalties apply
Pets - require EU pet passport, microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate (see special situations)
Professional equipment - may require ATA Carnet for temporary import to avoid duties
Food products - restrictions on bringing food from non-EU countries; EU products generally allowed for personal consumption

Health Requirements

Greece, including Milos, has minimal mandatory health requirements for most travelers. However, recommended vaccinations and health precautions can help ensure a safe and healthy visit.

Required Vaccinations

None for most travelers
Yellow fever vaccination certificate required only if arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission

Recommended Vaccinations

Routine vaccinations: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), varicella (chickenpox), polio, and annual flu shot
Hepatitis A - recommended for most travelers due to potential food/water exposure
Hepatitis B - recommended for travelers who may have intimate contact with locals or require medical treatment
Rabies - consider for travelers spending extensive time outdoors or working with animals
Tick-borne encephalitis - for travelers visiting rural or forested areas during warmer months

Health Insurance

Travel health insurance with minimum coverage of €30,000 is strongly recommended and required for Schengen visa applicants. EU citizens should carry their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for access to state healthcare. Medical facilities on Milos are limited, and serious conditions may require evacuation to Athens, making comprehensive insurance essential. Ensure your policy covers medical evacuation and repatriation.

Current Health Requirements: COVID-19 and other health requirements can change rapidly. Check the Greek Ministry of Health website and your home country's travel advisory for current entry requirements before departure. As of late 2024, most COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, but this can change. No quarantine is currently required for most travelers. Milos has a health center (Kentro Ygeias) for basic medical needs, but serious conditions require transfer to Athens.

Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy/Consulate

Contact your country's embassy or consulate in Athens for citizen services and emergency assistance

Register with your embassy's travel registration system before departure. U.S. citizens: Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP); UK citizens: Foreign Travel Checklist; Australians: Smartraveller; Canadians: Travel.gc.ca

Greek Immigration Authority

Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum - www.migration.gov.gr

For visa applications, extensions, and official immigration information. Visa applications are processed through Greek embassies/consulates abroad.

Emergency Services

Emergency number: 112 (European emergency number - connects to police, ambulance, fire)

Additional numbers: Police 100, Ambulance 166, Fire 199, Tourist Police 171, Coast Guard 108. Milos Health Center: +30 22870 22700

Milos Port Authority

Contact for ferry information and maritime issues: +30 22870 23360

Important for ferry schedules, cancellations due to weather, and maritime emergencies

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

Children must have their own passport (family passports are no longer accepted). Minors traveling without both parents should carry a notarized letter of consent from the absent parent(s) in English and Greek, including contact information and passport copies. This is especially important for single parents or when traveling with someone else's child. Unaccompanied minors require special airline arrangements. Keep birth certificates accessible. EU citizens can use national ID cards for children where accepted.

Traveling with Pets

Pets entering Greece from EU countries need: EU pet passport, ISO-compatible microchip, valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel), and veterinary health certificate. From non-EU countries: microchip, rabies vaccination, rabies antibody titer test (at least 30 days after vaccination, 3 months before travel), health certificate issued by official veterinarian within 10 days of travel, and endorsement by government authority. Maximum 5 pets per person for non-commercial travel. Certain breeds may face restrictions. Greece requires tapeworm treatment for dogs from certain countries. Check airline policies for pet transport to Milos, as small aircraft may have limitations.

Extended Stays

To stay beyond 90 days, non-EU citizens must apply for a long-stay visa (Type D) before arrival, obtained from Greek embassy/consulate in home country. Options include student visas, work permits, residence permits, or retirement visas. EU/EEA citizens can stay indefinitely but should register with local authorities if staying over 3 months. Digital nomad visas may be available for remote workers. Applications for extensions while in Greece are generally not possible for tourist stays. Overstaying can result in fines (€600+), deportation, and future entry bans (1-5 years). If you need to extend for emergency reasons, contact Greek immigration authorities immediately.

Business Travelers

Business visitors on short trips (meetings, conferences, negotiations) can usually enter on tourist visa-waiver or tourist visa for up to 90 days. No work permit needed for business meetings, but cannot engage in paid employment. Carry invitation letter from Greek company, proof of business relationship, and evidence of employer/business in home country. For longer business stays or actual employment, work permit and residence permit required before arrival. Freelancers and self-employed individuals need special permits.

Students and Researchers

Students must obtain Type D national visa for studies before arrival. Required documents: acceptance letter from Greek educational institution, proof of sufficient funds, health insurance, accommodation proof, and academic transcripts. Apply at Greek embassy/consulate 3-6 months before program start. Upon arrival, register with local authorities for residence permit. Researchers may qualify for special EU researcher visas with simplified procedures.

Dual Citizens

If you hold Greek or EU citizenship plus another nationality, enter and exit Greece using your Greek/EU passport or ID card. Greece requires its citizens to use Greek travel documents. Using different passports for entry/exit can cause problems. If your Greek passport is expired but you hold another valid passport, contact Greek embassy before travel.

Planning your trip? Make sure you have the right travel insurance for Milos Entry Requirements before you go.