Britons heading to Greece this summer can breathe easy. The country's tourism minister, Olga Kefalogianni, has confirmed that UK holidaymakers will not be slowed down by the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) at airports.
"We really want our travellers to have the best experience," she said. "We have managed to facilitate the system so British citizens do not have any burden."
The EU’s New Border Rules
Since October 2025, the EES has required non-EU travelers to register biometric data — facial scans and fingerprints — on first entry into the Schengen zone. Subsequent visits require only one biometric check.
At first glance, this sounds straightforward. But the reality has been chaos. In April, long queues at Corfu airport forced Greece to temporarily suspend checks for Britons. Similar scenes played out in Milan, where over 100 passengers missed an EasyJet flight to Manchester due to delays.
“We don’t want anyone to face a lot of bureaucracy,” said Kefalogianni. “It’s just a very easy way to come in and exit.”
How Greece Is Getting Around the Rules
EU regulations state that EES checks can be briefly suspended in congested airports, but blanket exemptions for a specific nationality are not formally allowed.
Yet Greece insists its approach is not an exemption. Kefalogianni argued that the country has simply "facilitated the procedure" so that British travellers face no extra steps. The EU is now "liaising with Greece to clarify the situation."
Data scientist Dr. Nick Brown, who studied the legislation, warned: "The Commission likely will not let one EU country making exceptions for the citizens of a non-EU country last for more than one season."
What About Italy and Portugal?
Not all popular destinations are following Greece’s lead.
- Italy has said it will not suspend digital checks for Britons. Last month, Milan’s Linate and Bergamo airports saw significant delays.
- Portugal initially planned to enforce the full system but has since reverted to standard passport checks at Lisbon, Porto, and Faro — a pragmatic step for now.
This creates a patchwork of rules. Travelers to the Schengen zone should check the specific requirements for each country.
The Bigger Picture for UK Travelers
With nearly 5 million British tourists visiting Greece last year — up 7% from 2023 — the economic stakes are high. The minister’s statement aims to protect this vital revenue stream.
But experts caution that this summer’s grace period may be short-lived. Once the EU fully enforces the EES, all non-EU nationals — including Britons — will eventually need to comply with biometric checks everywhere.
For now, travelers have clarity:
- Greece — no biometric checks this summer.
- Italy — full EES in force; expect delays.
- Portugal — standard passport checks at major airports.
Always carry your passport and plan extra time at airports, especially in countries enforcing the new system.
Key Takeaways
- Greece exempts Britons from biometric border checks for summer 2026.
- Italy and Portugal maintain or adapt new EU Entry/Exit System.
- The exemption may not survive beyond this tourist season.
- UK travelers should stay informed per destination.