Greece has suspended the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) requirement for British passport holders to provide fingerprints and facial scans at border controls, according to multiple reports. The suspension is aimed at preventing travel chaos and ensuring a smoother arrival experience for British visitors. According to The Independent - Main, Eleni Skarveli, Director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation in the UK, described the move as ensuring a smoother and more efficient arrival experience in Greece. The Greek Embassy in London stated, 'British passport holders are excluded from biometric registration at Greek border crossing points.' This exemption applies as of April 10, 2026, the date when the EES is scheduled to be fully implemented across the Schengen area.
Under the suspension, British passport holders traveling to Greece will have their passports manually examined and stamped instead of using EES kiosks, major media reports indicate. According to major media reports, the EES kiosks at Athens airport may be used by other third-country nationals, such as Americans and Australians, but not by British travelers. According to The Independent - Main, Eleni Skarveli described that practically, this means the entry process in place before the implementation of the EES will remain unchanged for UK visitors. Special lanes are expected to be introduced at busy Greek airports to segregate British arrivals, according to major media sources. This manual processing aims to streamline border checks and reduce potential bottlenecks during peak travel seasons.
Update for British passport holders travelling to Greece. In the framework of the implementation of the Entry/Exit System, as of 10 April 2026, British passport holders are exempt from biometric registration at Greek border crossing points.
A European Commission spokesperson said the Commission is in contact with Greek authorities for clarifications on the suspension. In an official statement, the European Commission spokesperson explained that the EES legal framework allows suspension of biometric data collection at specific border points for a limited time in exceptional circumstances, but not blanket exemptions for specific nationalities for extended periods. All 29 Schengen area member states signed off on the EES schedule, confirming readiness and compliance, according to major media reports.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for Greece, indicating Greek authorities will not collect biometric data for UK travelers as part of EES, multiple reports confirm. The FCDO advises British travelers to Greece to follow authorities' instructions on the ground and for residents to show residence documentation at passport control. On social media, the FCDO posted, 'Travelling to the Schengen area with a UK passport? The EU has introduced new border checks. You may need to create a digital record when you arrive - this can include giving fingerprints or having your photo taken.' This guidance highlights the broader EU context while noting the specific exemption for Greece.
British passport holders are excluded from biometric registration at Greek border crossing points.
The EES has caused significant delays, up to four hours, and missed flights at airports across Europe, according to multiple reports. These disruptions have raised concerns about the system's implementation and its impact on travel efficiency. The problems have been particularly acute at busy hubs, leading to calls for adjustments to prevent widespread travel chaos. Greece's suspension for British travelers is seen as a proactive measure to avoid similar issues during the upcoming tourist season. The move reflects broader challenges in rolling out the new biometric system across the Schengen zone.
It remains unclear how long Greece's suspension of EES requirements for British travelers will last. The European Commission has indicated that exemptions should be temporary and tied to exceptional circumstances, but Greek authorities have not specified an end date. The specific exceptional circumstances justifying Greece's suspension under EU rules have not been detailed publicly. This lack of clarity creates uncertainty about the legal compliance and duration of the measure.
Ensuring a smoother and more efficient arrival experience in Greece.
Whether other Schengen countries will follow Greece's example and suspend EES requirements for British travelers is also unknown. No other member states have announced similar exemptions, but the precedent set by Greece could influence decisions elsewhere. The response from other nations may depend on their own border capacity and tourism priorities. Monitoring developments in countries like Spain, Italy, and France will be crucial to understanding the broader impact.
How the European Commission will respond if Greece maintains the suspension long-term is another open question. The Commission has emphasized that blanket exemptions for specific nationalities are not permitted under the EES framework. If Greece extends the suspension indefinitely, it could lead to enforcement actions or legal challenges. The Commission's stance suggests that any long-term deviation would require a formal review or amendment of the regulations.
Practically, this means that the entry process in place before the implementation of the EES will remain unchanged.
Travel implications include potential impacts on wait times and flight availability for British visitors to Greece. Special lanes for British arrivals could reduce congestion, but their effectiveness has not been tested. Flights from London to Kos, Greece, start from £20 in April and £42 in May, according to major media reports, indicating affordable travel options that might increase passenger volumes. The suspension aims to prevent the delays seen elsewhere in Europe, but its success will depend on implementation and coordination with airlines.
Broader implications for EU-UK travel relations and EES implementation include potential shifts in border management strategies. Greece's move highlights tensions between national interests and EU-wide regulations, especially post-Brexit. It may prompt discussions about flexibility in the EES framework to accommodate practical realities at busy borders. The situation could influence future negotiations on travel agreements between the UK and EU, emphasizing the need for balanced approaches that ensure security without disrupting tourism.