Greece has suspended EU fingerprint and facial scans for British holidaymakers, becoming the first member state to abandon the new biometric security measures over concerns about queue chaos. The Entry/Exit System (EES), introduced by Brussels, requires all travellers from the UK and other non-EU countries to be photographed and fingerprinted at EU airports and border crossings.
The decision follows reports of four-hour delays at Greek airports and across the continent. Eleni Skarveli, director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation in the UK, said the move would 'ensure a smoother and more efficient arrival experience in Greece' and 'significantly reduce waiting times'. A statement on the Greek Embassy website confirmed that as of 10 April 2026, British passport holders are exempt from biometric registration at Greek border crossing points, though no end date for the exemption was given.
The EES is intended to replace manual passport stamping and monitor the 90-day visa-free limit, but its rollout has caused havoc at busy airports. On Sunday, 122 passengers missed an easyJet flight from Milan Linate to Manchester due to delays at passport desks caused by the system. The 11am departure was held for 59 minutes before departing with most seats empty.
Passengers described chaotic scenes. Kiera, 17, from Oldham, arrived at 7.30am but was stuck in a massive queue. She told the BBC: 'At about 10.50am they brought some water over for people, and when we got to the front of the queue someone asked us if we were going to Manchester, and told us our flight had just gone.' Vicky Chapman, 26, from Wirral, said her family was 'refused entry through passport control' despite arriving early, and were told they were 'no show' on their flight. She added: 'It was so hot in the airport, people were vomiting, people were almost passing out.'
An easyJet spokesman said the airline held the flight for nearly an hour but had to depart due to crew operating hours. Customers who missed the flight have been offered free transfers. Luke Petherbridge of travel trade organisation Abta said: 'We’re disappointed and frustrated to see some passengers being caught up in delays due to EES. Abta has been warning about the need for proactive steps to avoid delays, including the full use of contingency measures to stand down biometric checks at busier times.'
