Greece backtracks on EES exemptions for Britons

Greece has backtracked on plans to exempt Britons from handing over biometric data as part of requirements for the Entry/Exit System (EES). 

The Mediterranean nation made an announcement soon after the April 10 rollout of the digital border security scheme that Britons travelling to the country would not need to hand over biometric data such as fingerprints and a facial photo.

Confirmed by sources including the Greek Embassy in the UK, the decision was made in a bid to entice Britons to visit the country for summer holidays, reducing queues at airports.

UK visitors make up a large proportion of summer visitors to Greece and are vital for the country’s economy, and authorities are eager to retain their custom amid travel uncertainty caused by both EES and the conflict in the Middle East.

EES paused only under certain conditions

However, the European Commission quickly stated that Greece had made the decision unilaterally and there were no provisions within the EES regulations for EU member states to pick and choose which travellers they collect biometric data from. 

It quashed ideas that other Mediterranean countries reliant on summer tourism such as Italy and Portugal would also follow suit and exempt travellers from certain nations such as the UK from biometric requirements. 

Greek officials have now backtracked on the exemption pledge.

“We have not received any further update or clarification as to whether, for example, specific nationalities are temporarily exempt from the relevant procedure,” the Greek Foreign Ministry is reported to have told Associated Press. 

The Greek Embassy in the UK has deleted its website post that previously stated Britons were exempt from the requirements. 

European and Greek officials confirmed that exemptions for handing over biometric data at Greek entry points were the same as others in the EU. 

In short, this means that the taking of biometric data (or verification upon exit) can be paused for up to six hours at a time during busy travel periods this summer, to avoid queues becoming too long. 

Visitors and citizens of, or arrivals from, certain countries (save for EU citizens that are always exempt from EES) cannot be specifically exempted from biometric collection.  

Note that, as of June 2, the UK government’s website for visiting Greece states “Greek authorities have indicated that they will not collect biometric data (fingerprints and photos) for UK travellers as part of EES. Follow the advice of authorities on the ground.”

Several travel groups, including major budget carrier Ryanair, are urging a total pause on EES this summer to prevent travel chaos. 

As we enter June however, there is no indication that the EU is planning to do this.