Greece to be first EU nation to drop Entry/Exit System machines for British passengers

British travellers heading to Greek islands this summer can breathe easier after Athens has decided to opt out of strict new EU entry rules using the new EES machines. The past weeks of chaos at European airports is seen as a threat to the Greek peak summer season.

Simple and quick passport stamps return for UK visitors

Greece has unilaterally said “no”, “nein”, “non”, “Οχι” to the European Union and exempted UK passport holders from the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) at all border points. Officials announced the change late last week, just days after the biometric requirements became compulsory across the Schengen area on 10 April 2026.

Passengers no longer face fingerprinting or facial scans on arrival. Border staff will continue with the previous method: a brief look at the passport, followed by a stamp. This keeps processing times to around 15 seconds instead of several minutes per person. Eleni Skarveli, director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation in the UK, confirmed the decision hopes to deliver a smoother arrival for everyone during the busiest season.

Why Greece chose to break from Brussels’ rules

Hundreds of thousands of British tourists visit popular destinations such as Corfu, Crete and Rhodes each summer. Many airports handle over 2,000 UK arrivals and departures on peak days. Full EES rollout would have likely caused long queues due to staffing limits and the need for biometric registration. And with bookings looking like they may be affected already due to Iran’s drone attacks on Cyprus a few weeks ago, more holidaymakers are eyeing destinations more to the west of the Mediterranean. With the dropping of EES, Greece is hoping to add one more appetising benefit to the Greek islands.

The government is putting efficiency over strict compliance. Similar delays already appeared at other European airports, including serious hold-ups at Milan Linate that stranded easyJet passengers who had to fork out thousands on replacement flights and hotels. Departure checks also risk major problems during busy return periods.

By keeping the old system in place, Greece reduces congestion and protects its vital tourism industry. British visitors make up a huge share of non-EU arrivals, far outnumbering those from countries like Australia or Canada. Officials in Athens recognised that rigid biometric rules could deter holidaymakers when other EU nations struggle to meet deadlines.

What the EES biometric rules normally require

The EU designed the Entry/Exit System to replace manual passport stamps with a digital record. Non-EU travellers, including those from the UK, must provide fingerprints and a facial image on their first entry. Subsequent trips need only a quick biometric check against the stored data.

Self-service kiosks were meant to handle much of the process. Yet concerns grew over potential waits of up to four hours at busy airports as summer traffic rises. Issues such as IT problems, staff shortages and possible strikes added to the worries. Travel groups like ABTA advised passengers to carry extra water and snacks in case of queues.

Potential impact on other Mediterranean destinations

Greece now offers faster entry compared with many rivals. Industry observers suggest countries heavily reliant on British tourism may consider similar steps to stay competitive. No official end date for the exemption has appeared, raising hopes it lasts through the peak season and longer. Other popular spots, especially in the South of Europe, are no doubt watching to see if the European Commission recommends some form of punishment for Greece for refusing to follow the rules before they act.

UK travellers still need valid passports with enough remaining validity. Those planning trips should check the latest advice from the UK government or their airline, as rules elsewhere in Europe are still unchanged.

The practical approach from Greece demonstrates how individual nations can adapt EU-wide policies to suit local needs. It is also an indicator that many in the EU bloc are putting practicality before stringent rule following.