Greece has announced that British passport holders will be exempt from the European Union's new biometric border checks from 10 April 2026, in a move to alleviate lengthy queues that have plagued airports. The Entry/Exit System (EES), which requires fingerprint and facial scans for non-EU travellers, has caused delays of up to four hours at some Greek border points, prompting the suspension.
Eleni Skarveli, director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation in the UK, said the decision would “ensure a smoother and more efficient arrival experience in Greece” and “significantly reduce waiting times”. The exemption applies only to British passport holders and there is no indication of how long it will last; the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has not yet updated its travel advice for Greece.
Despite the suspension, the EES remains in force across much of Europe. Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at travel trade organisation Abta, expressed disappointment over ongoing delays, urging the European Commission and border authorities to implement contingency measures, including relaxing biometric checks during peak times. “We continue to urge border authorities to ensure they make full and effective use of the permitted flexibilities,” he said.
The delays have caused significant disruption. On Sunday, 122 passengers missed an easyJet flight from Milan Linate to Manchester after being held at passport control. One passenger, Kiera, 17, from Oldham, said she and her boyfriend arrived at 7.30am but were unable to board the 11am flight. Another traveller, Vicky Chapman, 26, described scenes of people vomiting and fainting due to heat and crowding. easyJet held the flight for nearly an hour before departing, blaming “unacceptable border delays” and offering free flight transfers to affected customers.
