UK Tourists Warned of Airport Delays for Greek Island Holidays from April 10
UK tourists planning holidays to Greece and its popular islands have been issued a stark warning to anticipate significantly longer queues at airports and potential delays starting from April 10, 2026. This alert comes as the European Union's new Entry/Exit System (EES) transitions to full operational status, impacting travel across 29 European countries.
What is the Entry/Exit System?
The EES, which began its phased implementation on October 12, 2025, is designed to replace the traditional method of passport stamping for non-EU nationals entering the Schengen area for short stays. Instead, the system will digitally record entries, exits, and any refusals of entry. This involves collecting biometric data, including facial images and fingerprints, along with personal information from travel documents.
Impact on Popular Greek Destinations
Among the most affected holiday hotspots are the Greek islands of Crete, Corfu, and Rhodes. These destinations are perennial favorites for British tourists, drawing thousands of visitors each summer. The Foreign Office has emphasized that travelers should be prepared for additional processing time at borders.
"EES may take each passenger a few minutes extra to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border," the Foreign Office stated. They advise that on your first visit to a Schengen country, you may need to register your details at a special booth before proceeding to immigration, following directions from travel operators or port staff.
Key Details for Travelers
- Registration involves providing fingerprints and a photo; there is no cost for this process.
- Children aged 11 or younger will not have their fingerprints scanned but may need their photo taken.
- Until full rollout, passports will continue to be stamped even if previously registered for EES.
- Once fully operational, EES will replace manual passport stamping entirely, requiring biometric input each time you enter or exit the Schengen area.
Tourists are urged to plan accordingly and allow extra time for border checks to avoid disruptions to their travel itineraries. This change marks a significant shift in how non-EU visitors are processed, aiming to enhance security while potentially slowing initial entry procedures.
