The EU’s latest travel regulations are causing concerns as the peak travel season approaches, leading some destinations to consider exemptions for travelers. The European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) was fully implemented on April 10, 2026, mandating all British visitors to the Schengen area to digitally register their biometric information, such as fingerprints and a photo. While successful in many places, the system is causing significant disruptions at airports across Europe.
Reports have emerged of British travelers being asked to re-submit their biometric data despite providing it on a previous trip to the Schengen zone. Holidaymakers are facing long queues lasting up to four hours, resulting in missed flights and ruined vacation plans.
To mitigate the travel chaos, Greece decided earlier this year to exempt British visitors from the EU’s biometric registration requirements at airport border controls. This move was confirmed by the Greek Embassy, stating that British passport holders are no longer required to provide biometric data at Greek border crossings.
There are discussions that Rome Fiumicino Airport and Rome Ciampino Airport may follow Greece’s lead in waiving the EU regulations to prevent disruptions during the busy summer travel season. Aeroporti di Roma’s CEO expressed serious concerns about the upcoming summer travel volume, emphasizing the need to alleviate the situation by potentially relaxing the requirements.
Although Rome has not made a similar decision yet, Greece stands as the sole country officially easing the EU requirements for British tourists. However, there are indications that European airports might temporarily relax the EES requirements until September this year, according to an EU official.
Frontex’s Deputy Executive Director mentioned the possibility of lifting biometric controls temporarily during the summer tourism season to manage long queues and ensure a smoother travel experience for passengers. The new digital border system is mandatory for the initial entry into the Schengen zone and replaces the traditional manual passport stamping process, remaining valid for three years after the initial registration.
Countries within the Schengen area encompass 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, and Switzerland. Travel to the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus does not require the EES system, as they are not part of the Schengen area.
The Foreign Office confirmed the exemption for UK travelers to Greece from the EES on its travel advice page, highlighting that biometric data collection is not mandatory for British visitors in Greece. Some key airports in Greece include Athens International Airport, Thessaloniki International Airport, Kalamata International Airport, as well as airports on various Greek islands.
If you have a travel experience to share, reach out to webtravel@reachplc.com. Stay updated with valuable news by selecting Daily Mirror as a ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News.
