Greece Suspends Biometric Checks for UK Visitors This Summer

The decision arrives as Greece prepares for a surge in holidaymakers during the busiest months of the year. Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni told the BBC the government wants to spare visitors from “bureaucratic procedures” at entry and exit points.

In early April, Greek officials temporarily halted biometric checks for British passengers after long queues formed at Corfu airport. The pause was allowed under EU rules that permit brief suspensions when congestion threatens smooth operations. The move was not presented as a permanent exemption but as a practical adjustment to keep processing swift.

The EU’s Entry‑Exit System (EES) – a digital border framework that records fingerprints or facial scans for non‑EU visitors – has already caused delays elsewhere. At Milan’s Linate airport, more than 100 passengers missed an EasyJet flight to Manchester because passport control queues stretched beyond acceptable limits. Similar disruptions were reported for Ryanair flights from Bergamo.

Greek authorities say they have “successfully started the full operation of the Entry‑Exit System,” yet they are prepared to suspend checks when needed. Kefalogianni emphasized that the summer waiver does not breach EU regulations, which only forbid blanket exemptions for a specific nationality.

For British tourists, the practical impact is a smoother arrival experience, with border officers aiming to complete checks in under two minutes. The policy also signals Greece’s broader effort to remain competitive amid concerns about jet‑fuel supply constraints that have made some travelers hesitant.

What it means: The temporary suspension should reduce wait times at Greek airports and could boost UK visitor numbers during the peak season. Watch for EU feedback on Greece’s approach and any adjustments to the EES rollout in other member states.