Greece has backtracked on earlier suggestions that British passport holders would be exempt from the EU's new biometric border checks this summer. The confusion emerged after Greek officials visiting the UK indicated that the requirement would be waived for British travellers, a key market for Greece's tourism industry.
Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni had promised that Brits would be 'fast-tracked' through the system, and the Greek Embassy stated that as of April 10, 2026, British passport holders were exempt. However, European and Greek authorities later clarified that any suspension of the system would apply only during periods of high passenger traffic, not to specific nationalities.
The EU's Entry-Exit System (EES), which replaces passport stamps with biometric data collection, began operating at Greek airports on April 10. The Foreign Office had advised travellers that Greek authorities would not collect biometric data from UK visitors, but this guidance now appears outdated.
A spokesperson for the Greek Foreign Ministry told the Associated Press that no further update or clarification had been received regarding exemptions for specific nationalities. The confusion has led to concerns about potential delays, with airline groups warning that queues could double to four hours during peak season.
Travel association Abta has advised customers to prepare for delays by carrying extra water and snacks. The situation follows reports of holidaymakers fainting in queues at Milan's Linate airport in April due to delays caused by the new checks.
