Passport control
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Passport control
Passport control information
If you are an EU citizen traveling inside the Schengen zone, you do not have to pass through Passport control. However, you have to make sure that you carry a valid document defined by the national regulations of the Schengen states for determining your identity (a passport or ID card) when travelling.
The countries that joined the Schengen Treaty are the following: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
If you are travelling to/from a non-Schengen country, you will pass through Passport Control.
Passport Control points at Athens Airport are operated by officers of the Hellenic Police who are entitled of verifying the authenticity of the travel documents presented by checking national & international databases.
There are two flows dividing
- European Union - EU passports/ EU ID holders
- Non - EU Passports
If you are a biometric passport holder, passing through the Main Terminal Building, you may use the Eu “e-Passport” control points, which are automatic self-service border checkpoints.
(Biometric passport/e-passport is the one that contains a microchip and has the biometric symbol on the front cover).
You can use this system if:
- you are a national of one of the EU countries, a national of an EEA country (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) or Swiss national.
- you are over 12 years old
You can use e-Passport control without prior registration.
There are instructions at each e-gate that help you pass smoothly.
If these do not apply to you, or if you would prefer to be checked by a Police officer, you can still use the staffed counters at Passport control.
Advice that will help you pass through quicker:
Please remove hats and sunglasses.
Have your passport open at the photo page and remove any holders or covers.
Always allow extra time when going through Passport control.
Baggage trolleys cannot be taken through Passport & Security Control
Connecting flight at Athens airport: If you are entering or exiting the EU, you will have to pass through Passport control.
