Britons heading to Greece are encountering adjustments to the newly implemented digital Entry/Exit System (EES), which is likely to alleviate concerns regarding its impact on their airport experience.
The EES was officially introduced in various parts of Europe on April 10, causing delays for many British travelers at EU borders prior to their trips to popular vacation destinations such as Spain, France, Italy, and Greece. Some passengers have even missed their flights due to extended processing times.
EasyJet has cautioned passengers to allocate sufficient time at airports during the spring and summer months, emphasizing that the airline may not be able to accommodate delayed travelers, even in cases of prolonged waits.
Several countries, including Greek authorities, have criticized the EES, leading to the suspension of the digital registration process for British tourists. Instead, UK passengers arriving on flights will undergo manual passport stamping to streamline entry procedures and minimize airport queues.
Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni acknowledged initial delays at airports and emphasized the country’s commitment to ensuring a hassle-free experience for travelers. The aim is to provide British citizens with a seamless entry and exit process without bureaucratic hurdles, with current procedures taking around a minute.
Despite expectations for the European Commission to intervene following Greece’s deviation from EES protocols, no immediate action has been taken as of May 11. Kefalogianni reiterated Greece’s adherence to regulations while prioritizing visitor satisfaction and a welcoming environment.
The EES is an automated system designed to digitally register non-EU nationals entering the Schengen zone for short stays, replacing manual passport stamping with biometric verification. The system stores travelers’ information, including biometric data, entry and exit details, and remains valid for three years, reducing the need for repeated biometric submissions.
Since April 10, 2026, the EES has been implemented in 29 European nations, with Greece’s recent decision applicable specifically to travelers from the United Kingdom. Cyprus and Ireland continue to manually stamp passports due to their exclusion from the Schengen area, despite their EU membership.