A new entry rule for all British tourists going on holiday to Greece will be introduced later this year, the European Union (EU) has confirmed. A new Entry/Exit System (EES) will come into force from October 12, 2025, and will be gradually phased in at the borders of 29 European countries, including Greece, until April next year. The new system is designed to help improve border security within the EU and its neighbouring countries, with the aim of reducing illegal migration in the Schengen area and stopping visitors from overstaying. The EU has confirmed a progressive rollout will begin from October 12 this year, following approval by the European Parliament, until April 9, 2026, after which point it will be fully operational.
Under the new system, British tourists will be required to register their fingerprints and take a facial photo at EU borders, with the manual stamping of passports to be phased out for biometric data instead.
It means holidaymakers heading to Greece from October 2025 onwards may be required to scan their fingerprints and take a facial photo at airports to enter the country, although as the new system is being phased in passports may still be stamped in some cases.
The EU said: “The new Entry/Exit System (EES) will start on October 12, 2025. European countries using the EES will introduce the system gradually at their external borders. This means your data may not be collected at every border crossing point right away.
“The Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin its operations gradually. During this time, different parts of the system, such as collecting biometric data (facial image and fingerprints), will be implemented by the European countries using EES step by step.
“This means that travellers’ biometric data (facial image and fingerprints) might not be collected, and their personal information may not be registered in the system. Passports will continue to be stamped as usual.”
The phased implementation will last until April 9, 2026, so from April 10, 2026 the EES will be fully up and running at all 29 European countries using the system.
Brits will need to create a digital record on their first visit to the Schengen area at the port or airport when they arrive, which will include submitting fingerprints and having a photo taken. The EES digital record will then remain valid for three years, so if you visit a Schengen area again during this period you’ll only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border when you enter and exit.
In its travel advice for Greece, the UK Foreign Office warns that the EES rollout from October may mean longer queues for passengers on arrival.
It said: “When EES is introduced, you will need to create a digital record on your first visit to the Schengen area at the port or airport on arrival. You will be required to submit your fingerprints and have your photo taken at dedicated booths.
“You will not need to provide any information before travelling to a Schengen area country. If you are flying to a country in the Schengen area, you may experience longer queue times when you arrive at your destination.
“At some ports and international stations (Dover, Eurotunnel and St Pancras), there may be increased wait times while EES registration is completed before passengers leave the UK. If you are travelling through one of these stations, you should check with your travel operator to find out whether EES will affect your journey.
“Your digital record is valid for 3 years. If you enter the Schengen area again during this time, you will only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border, when you enter and exit.”
The EES system applies to all non-EU nationals visiting 29 countries in the Schengen Area, including popular tourist destinations like Spain, France, Portugal and Italy. Entries and exits, or entry refusals will be electronically registered in the EES, but in Cyprus and Ireland – despite being countries of the EU – passports will still be stamped manually.
