Summary
Greece has announced that British travellers will be exempt from new biometric checks under the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES). The move is expected to reduce queues and make arrivals smoother, especially as the new system has already caused delays elsewhere in Europe.
🇬🇷 A Surprise U-Turn for UK Visitors
In a significant and unexpected move, Greece has confirmed that UK passport holders will not need to provide biometric data — such as fingerprints or facial scans — when entering the country under the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES). oai_citation:0‡Travel Weekly
The exemption came into effect from 10 April 2026, right as the system was rolling out across Europe.
✈️ What Is the EES System?
The EU’s Entry/Exit System is a new digital border control system designed to replace passport stamping.
It requires non-EU travellers (including Brits) to:
- Register personal details
- Provide fingerprints
- Have a facial scan taken
The aim is to improve security and track how long visitors stay in the Schengen Area. oai_citation:1‡The Independent
But in reality, the rollout hasn’t been smooth.
⏱️ Why This Matters (Queues, Delays & Travel Chaos)
Across Europe, the new system has already caused long queues and delays at airports, with concerns it could get worse during peak travel periods. oai_citation:2‡The Guardian
By removing the biometric requirement for UK travellers, Greece is:
- Cutting down processing time at borders
- Reducing congestion at airports
- Making arrivals quicker and easier
Tourism officials say this should create a “more efficient and welcoming experience” for British visitors. oai_citation:3‡Travel Weekly
🤔 Is This Permanent?
That’s the big unknown.
At the moment:
- There’s no clear timeline on how long the exemption will last
- Official UK travel advice hasn’t fully caught up yet
So while it’s great news, it may be temporary — and rules could change again.
🧳 What It Means for Your Next Trip
If you’re heading to Greece soon, this is a win:
- No fingerprinting
- No facial scan kiosks
- Faster airport experience
But if you’re travelling to other EU countries, expect the full EES process — at least for now.
✍️ Full Write-Up
The European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) officially launched in April 2026, introducing biometric checks for non-EU travellers entering the Schengen Area. The system was designed to modernise border control, replacing passport stamps with a digital record of entries and exits.
However, the rollout has been far from seamless. Reports of long queues and delays — in some cases stretching to hours — have raised concerns across the travel industry.
In response, Greece has taken a different approach. The country has confirmed that British travellers will be exempt from biometric registration requirements at its borders. This means UK visitors can continue to enter Greece without undergoing fingerprinting or facial recognition checks, significantly speeding up the arrival process.
The move is seen as a practical step to support tourism and avoid the disruption being experienced elsewhere in Europe.
While the exemption is good news for travellers, it also highlights the uneven rollout of the EES across different countries — and the possibility that rules may continue to evolve in the coming months.
Source & Attribution
Source: The Independent
By Simon Calder (Travel Correspondent)
Disclaimer
This article is a summary of a news report originally published by The Independent. It is intended for informational purposes only and reflects the situation at the time of writing. Travel rules can change quickly, so always check official government advice before travelling.