Despite the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), Greece has introduced a biometric exemption for British tourists. The decision is expected to reduce airport congestion and accelerate tourism flows ahead of the summer season.
A new approach to border crossings before the summer season
As the European Union’s new border management system, the Entry/Exit System (EES), comes into force, Greece is preparing for the tourism season with a different strategy. The country has introduced a notable flexibility for UK citizens in order to make holiday traffic—particularly intense during the summer months—more fluid.
According to a statement by the Greek Embassy in London, as of 10 April 2026, passengers holding UK passports will be exempt from the biometric data registration process at Greek border gates.
A system tightening across Europe softened in Greece
Under the EES, biometric data such as fingerprints and facial images of third-country nationals entering Europe are recorded. The system aims to strengthen the fight against identity fraud and cross-border crime.
However, Greece’s divergence from this general practice is being interpreted as a pragmatic approach shaped by the needs of the tourism economy. Authorities state that this step will speed up the passenger experience and reduce congestion at airports.
Eleni Skarveli summarises the aim of the measure as “providing a faster and smoother arrival experience,” noting that a significant reduction in waiting times is expected.
Initial tests in Europe began with disruptions
With the full-scale rollout of the EES, operational challenges have also emerged at some European airports. In particular, queues lasting for hours were observed at Linate Airport, causing serious disruptions to passenger flow.
In the case of a Manchester flight, it was even reported that hundreds of passengers were unable to complete procedures, missed boarding, and the flight departed with a large number of empty seats. This situation shows that border crossing processes may have a direct impact on aviation operations ahead of the summer season.
A critical decision for island airports
Greece’s island destinations, in particular, witness a heavy influx of British tourists during the summer months. At airports handling up to 2,000 UK passengers arriving and departing in a single day, reducing processing times becomes decisive for operational efficiency.
For this reason, the biometric exemption decision stands out as a strategic step not only for passenger satisfaction but also in terms of slot management, flight continuity, and airport capacity utilisation.
Record growth in tourism continues
As Greece’s tourism sector continues to grow, the number of international visitors reached 37.98 million in 2025, an increase of 5.6 percent. During the same period, the number of tourists from the United Kingdom rose by approximately 8 percent to 4.89 million.
While strong growth was also recorded in tourism revenues, the contribution of British visitors to the economy reached €3.74 billion. Olga Kefalogianni describes 2025 as “the most successful year of all time” for the sector.
