Heraklion Airport Passport Control
Whether you pass through passport control at Heraklion International Airport “Nikos Kazantzakis” (HER) depends on where you are flying from or to. Greece is part of the Schengen Area, so travel to and from other Schengen countries has no passport check, while flights outside the zone do. Here is how it works and how to get through immigration quickly.
Do I go through passport control at Heraklion?
If your flight is to or from another Schengen country, there is no passport control — you move straight between the gate and the arrivals hall. If your flight is to or from a country outside the Schengen Area, you clear passport control on the way in and out. Many summer charter and international flights fall into this non-Schengen group.
Which lane do I use?
At the passport desks there are usually separate lanes for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and for all other passports. Follow the overhead signs and join the correct queue; families and passengers needing assistance can normally use a priority lane. Have your passport out and open at the photo page.
What you need
- A valid passport (check any minimum validity for your nationality)
- A visa if your nationality requires one for Greece / the Schengen Area
- Sometimes proof of onward travel or accommodation for non-EU visitors
New EU entry rules for non-EU visitors
The EU is phasing in an Entry/Exit System (EES) that records non-EU travellers biometrically at the border, and a separate travel authorisation (ETIAS) for visa-exempt non-EU visitors. Timelines have shifted more than once, so if you are a non-EU national, check the current requirement before you travel and allow a little extra time at the desk while the systems bed in.
Tips for fast immigration
- Have your passport ready and open before you reach the desk.
- Fill in any landing or declaration details in advance if asked.
- Use e-gates if you are eligible — they are quicker than a manned desk.
- In peak summer, non-Schengen arrivals can queue, so keep your connection times realistic.
Connecting flights
If you connect through HER between a Schengen and a non-Schengen flight, you may need to clear passport control between the two. Because Heraklion is a single, compact terminal, this is a short walk, but factor it into a tight connection.
Frequently asked questions
Is there passport control at Heraklion Airport?
Only for flights to or from outside the Schengen Area. Schengen flights have no passport check.
Which queue do I use?
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens have one lane; all other passports use the other. Follow the signs.
Do I need a visa for Greece?
It depends on your nationality; check Schengen visa rules, and the new ETIAS authorisation if you are a visa-exempt non-EU visitor.
How early should I allow for immigration?
In peak summer, non-Schengen queues build up, so leave time and keep connections realistic.