Greece waives EU biometric entry checks for British travellers
by The Travel Magazine Apr 20, 2026 written by The Travel Magazine Apr 20, 2026
14 Under the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), fully operational since April 10, all travellers from the UK and other non-EU countries must now undergo biometric checks — including facial imaging and fingerprinting — at airports and border crossings across the bloc.
Bucking that trend, Greece, a popular holiday destination for Brits, has chosen to do its own thing to avoid the sorts of airport chaos at various European locations for the past week, including flights taking off without the majority of passengers due to EES queues.
Greece has confirmed that British passport holders will be exempt from new EU biometric border checks, in a move designed to streamline arrivals and reduce airport congestion ahead of the busy travel season.
Eleni Skarveli, director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation in the UK, said the decision reflects Greece’s commitment to maintaining a smooth visitor experience for UK travellers.
The exemption applies to the EU’s forthcoming Entry/Exit System (EES), which is set to introduce fingerprint and facial recognition checks for non-EU visitors entering the Schengen Area.
Speaking about the change, Skarveli said the move is intended to ensure “a smoother and more efficient arrival experience in Greece” and is “expected to significantly reduce waiting times and ease congestion at airports”.
Instead of implementing the new biometric procedures for British visitors, Greece will retain its existing entry process. “Practically, this means that the entry process in place before the implementation of the EES will remain unchanged,” she explained.
The decision effectively sets Greece apart from other Schengen destinations expected to roll out the biometric system, offering UK travellers a faster and more familiar arrival experience at Greek border points this year.
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