British travelers can anticipate smooth passage through Greek borders this summer, with the country's tourism minister assuring that no significant delays are expected, even during peak season. Olga Kefalogianni stated that the Greek government is committed to preventing bureaucratic hurdles from burdening visitors upon their arrival or departure.
Ms. Kefalogianni confirmed that UK citizens will not encounter biometric checks at Greek borders throughout the entire summer period. The nation is actively working to streamline frontier procedures, aiming for checks to be completed in under two minutes. This assurance comes as the European Union's new digital border system, the Entry-Exit System (EES), is being implemented across member states.
The EES, which became fully operational in April, mandates that short-term visitors from outside the EU and the European Economic Area register biometric data, including fingerprints and facial scans, upon entry and exit from the Schengen Area. While one biometric identifier is checked at each border crossing, the initial registration involves more comprehensive data collection.
However, the rollout of the EES has presented challenges in several EU countries, leading to substantial queues for some travelers. Reports have surfaced of passengers experiencing wait times of up to three hours. For instance, over 100 individuals missed EasyJet flights from Milan's Linate airport last month due to lengthy passport queues, which the airline deemed "unacceptable." Similar issues affected Ryanair passengers flying from Milan Bergamo to Manchester.
Greece has stated that it has "successfully started the full operation of the Entry-Exit System." Despite this, the country temporarily suspended biometric checks for UK visitors in early April following the emergence of long queues at Corfu airport. This measure was implemented to alleviate congestion and improve passenger flow.
Meanwhile, the European Commission has indicated that Portugal and Italy do not intend to exempt British nationals from the new EES checks. Unconfirmed reports had suggested that these countries might follow Greece's lead in suspending such checks for UK citizens. The Commission has stated it is in contact with Greece to clarify the situation and reiterate the existing regulations.
Minister Kefalogianni emphasized that Greece's approach does not constitute a blanket exemption for any nationality, which is prohibited under EU rules. Instead, she explained that Greece is facilitating the procedure to ensure visitors are not unduly burdened. Current EU regulations permit the brief suspension of EES checks in instances of extreme airport congestion, but not wholesale exemptions based on nationality.
Beyond border control concerns, Ms. Kefalogianni acknowledged that reports of potential jet fuel shortages, which could lead to price increases or flight cancellations, have made some tourists more hesitant to travel. The slowdown in jet fuel supplies from the Gulf region, a significant source for Europe, has been a point of discussion since the conflict between the US and Iran escalated.
"I think that this is a trend that you would see everywhere," she commented, referring to traveler reluctance. "People are being much more reluctant. But at the same time, they realise that Greece is always a country which has upgraded its tourism offering and that it provides a very good balance when it comes to price and the offering."
Despite these hesitations, the Greek tourism minister expressed optimism, noting that Greece is already hosting a considerable number of holidaymakers. "We already have a lot of holidaymakers in Greece right now, and we're looking forward to welcoming even more as the season evolves," she added.
In parallel, the UK government has advised its citizens against altering their travel plans due to concerns over jet fuel supplies. Officials have stated there is no current shortage in the UK and that contingency plans are in place to manage any potential disruptions, aiming to reassure travelers planning summer holidays.
