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EU Entry-Exit System 2026
Posted on: May 21st, 2026
Words By: Tony Anderson
For the time being, Athens has exempted UK passport holders from the newly implemented Entry/Exit System (EES). The EU's digital border system became mandatory to all of the 29 Schengen countries on the 10th of April 2026. The Greek Embassy in London confirmed on social media that travelers holding a UK passport will be excluded from the biometric registration process at all Greek border crossing points. Border staff will continue to stamp UK passport by hand as it only takes 15 seconds per person when comparing it with the several minutes that are required for a biometric registration.
Greek officials have excused the exemption as a short-term solution that will minimize disruption during the summer holiday rush. Of course the new Entry/Exit System will be fully implemented for all non Schengen countries once its nuances have been ironed out. British travelers are the largest non-European nationality that visits Greece every summer and this temporary solution will speedup passenger traffic at the border.
The Greek decision to exclude UK Passport holders from using the new Entry/Exit System came days after the EES caused serious disruption at some European airports. At Milan in Italy, an EasyJet flight bound for Manchester, returned with only 34 out of the 156 passengers as 122 passengers missed their flight due the New Entry/Exit System being overwhelmed. In Spain, similar long lines were seen due to the EES and some passengers also missed their flights.
The New Entry/Exit System exemption applies only to UK passport holders. Americans, Australians and other non-Schengen nations will still have to use the EES kiosks that are installed at all Greek Airports. Greek border staff will still record personal data from UK passport holders using the older manual process.
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