Greece Avoids EU Border Checks for British Tourists
British holidaymakers heading to Greece this summer are set to avoid the controversial new EU border checks, as Athens has decided to opt out of fingerprinting and facial scans. This move comes as the European Union continues to push forward with its Entry/Exit System (EES), which requires all non-EU visitors to provide biometric data at airports and border crossings.
The EES is designed to replace traditional passport stamping and monitor the 90-day visa-free rule. However, the system has already caused significant delays, with tourists warned that queues could stretch up to four hours under the new regime. The scheme is now fully operational, but Greece has chosen to bypass it during the peak of the summer travel season to prevent disruption.
Eleni Skarveli, director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation in the UK, stated that the decision would “ensure a smoother and more efficient arrival experience in Greece” and “significantly reduce waiting times” while easing congestion at airports.
Challenges with the EES System
The rollout of the EES has not been without issues. At Milan Linate Airport last Sunday, over 120 easyJet passengers were left stranded due to lengthy hold-ups at border control, causing them to miss their flight to Manchester. Among those affected was teacher Max Hume, 56, his wife Lynsey, 46, and their 13-year-old son Archie, who had returned from a family ski trip.
After queuing for over an hour on arrival in Italy and following advice to arrive early for departure, they reached the airport nearly three hours before take-off—only to face further delays. They ultimately watched their plane depart without them. Faced with a £330 rebooking fee for a flight five days later, the family opted to pay around £1,600 for an alternative route via Luxembourg.
Speaking to The Independent, Mr Hume expressed frustration, saying he felt “gutted, upset, let down, absolutely shattered and poorer – much poorer.” Of the 156 passengers due to board the Manchester flight, only 34 made it on board, leaving 122 behind. easyJet later issued an apology.
What is the EES?
The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) involves people from third-party countries such as the UK having their fingerprints registered and photograph taken to enter the Schengen area, which consists of 29 European countries, mainly in the EU.
The automated EES system was first launched in October 2025, but airports and ports initially had until April 10 to fully implement the technology as a mandatory requirement. EES will replace the current system of passports being stamped by a border officer.
To register for EES for the first time, a photo of your face will be taken and your passport scanned. Adults and children aged 12 and over will also have their fingerprints scanned. British travellers do not have to do anything specific to prepare but are advised to arrive at airports earlier than usual to prepare for longer waits at passport control.
Ongoing Issues in the UK
Back in the UK, complications persist at key ‘juxtaposed’ border points in Dover, Folkestone, and London St Pancras, where expensive EES kiosks remain disconnected from French border police systems. The disruption is expected to continue until at least September.
Greece’s decision is widely seen as a strategic move to protect its vital tourism sector, which relies heavily on British visitors flocking to hotspots such as Corfu, Crete, and Rhodes—destinations that can each receive more than 2,000 UK arrivals per day during peak season.
With no confirmed end date for the exemption, speculation is mounting that other Mediterranean countries could follow suit.
Impact on Travel Plans
Travel experts say the change may already be influencing holiday plans. A spokesman for ABTA noted: “Because of the war in the Middle East, Europe is seeing a big increase in interest as a holiday destination this year.”
The organisation expects Greece to rank as the fifth most popular destination for Britons this summer, behind Spain, France, Italy, and the United States. “I think it’s too early to say what this change might mean for the number of people visiting, particularly as decisions on where to go are based on a number of factors,” the spokesman added.
Still, some travellers appear to have made up their minds. “Greece for me this summer then, was thinking of Tenerife, but no way I’m putting up with those queues and chaos,” wrote one user on X. Another said: “I work in the travel industry, already had customers worried about this new system, believe me, Greece will benefit from this stand!”
While a third declared: “Perfect – off to the Greek islands this summer – common sense prevails!”
