The new system has meant queues of passengers (Image: Getty)
People travelling to Greece from the UK have been given an replace about modifications to the new digital Entry/Exit System (EES). The information should come as a reduction to Brits who were frightened about how the new system may affect their time travelling through airports.
The EES formally launched in components of Europe on April 10, and the system has compelled many Brits to wait hours at the EU border. In some circumstances, passengers have missed flights after ready too long to be processed.
The scheme has been met with criticism from several nations, including Greek authorities, which have pushed back enough to pause the course of for British vacationers altogether. Instead of digital registration, incoming flights with UK passengers will endure handbook passport stamping to keep away from long airport queues, making certain a smoother entry course of
As reported by the Independent, Greek tourism minister Olga Kefalogianni said: “In the very beginning of the season, we faced some delays in the whole process at the airports. We really want our travellers to have the best experience and we understand that any inconvenience in getting into Greece or exiting would create frustration.
“We actually don’t need anyone to have to face a lot of paperwork, so we have managed to facilitate the system in order for British residents not to have any burden, particularly at the airports. So it’s just a very straightforward method to come in and exit the nation. Up to now, it’s been like a minute or so just to come in and out.”
The Independent’s Simon Calder claims the move was expected to trigger an immediate demand from the European Commission for Athens to fall into line, but no action has yet been taken (as of May 11).
As part of the interview with the publication, Ms Kefalogianni said: “We are half of the Schengen space. We intention to always abide by the guidelines, but at the same time, we need our guests to really feel very welcome.
“Having a bureaucratic burden at the airports, we understand, is not really a fuss-free situation. So we just made sure that our visitors have a fuss-free experience, that’s all potential visitors need to know.”
What are EES checks and what nations are still upholding them?
The EES is an automated system that digitally registers non-EU nationals visiting the Schengen space for short stays (up to 90 days in a 180-day period). It replaces handbook passport stamping with biometric checks (fingerprints and facial photos).
The EES data your identify, kind of journey doc, biometric knowledge (fingerprints and picture), and the date/place of entry and exit. The digital document is legitimate for three years, that means you only have to present biometrics every three years, not on every go to.
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As of April 10, 2026, EES is in operation at the borders of 29 European nations. The announcement made by Greece at the moment (May 11) applies only to the United Kingdom
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
In Cyprus and Ireland, despite being nations of the European Union, passports will still be stamped manually. This is because neither nation is half of the Schengen space.
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