Greece exempts UK travelers from EU biometric border checks

The move aims to cut airport wait times as other EU countries struggle with delays under the new Entry/Exit System

British passport holders traveling to Greece this summer will not have to complete the EU's new biometric border checks, in a move designed to speed up arrivals at one of Europe's most popular holiday destinations.

According to an article published by Metro on April 19, 2026, Greece is removing the requirement for UK citizens to register fingerprints and facial images under the Entry/Exit System (EES), which became fully operational across the EU on April 10.

Eleni Skarveli, Director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation in the UK, said the exemption would "ensure a smoother and more efficient arrival experience in Greece" and significantly reduce waiting times.

The decision is particularly significant given the volume of British visitors to Greek islands. Thousands of UK travelers arrive daily at destinations like Corfu, Crete, and Rhodes, and some industry observers believe other Mediterranean countries may follow Greece's lead to prevent airport chaos.

Delays persist elsewhere in Europe

While Greece has opted out of the biometric checks for UK visitors, travelers heading to other EU countries still face lengthy waits. Since the EES began rolling out late last year, some passengers have reported queues of up to two hours at passport control.

Airline groups have warned that wait times could stretch to four hours as holiday traffic increases during the summer peak season.

Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at Abta, the travel agent and tour operator association, advised travelers to prepare for potential disruptions:

"What we have said to customers is that, because of the checks, you might need to prepare for delays with extra water and snacks."

Beyond the biometric checks themselves, there are concerns about IT failures, staff shortages, and potential strikes during busy travel periods. The 2024 Crowdstrike outage, which caused widespread disruption across industries, remains fresh in memory.

How the Entry/Exit System works

The EES is a digital system that replaces physical passport stamps at EU border points. Travelers from non-EU countries, including the UK, must register their passport details along with biometric data, specifically fingerprints and a facial photograph, when crossing into the EU for the first time.

Most border points will be equipped with self-service kiosks where passengers can submit this information. The data is then stored and linked to the traveler's record, meaning future visits only require a quick verification rather than a full registration. In theory, this should speed up the process over time, though the initial rollout has caused significant congestion.