Travelling to Greece This Summer Just Got Easier

Updated 30 October 2026: we first published this article on 21 April 2026, when Greece announced that British travellers would not have to give fingerprints and a photo under the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES). The position has become less clear since then, so we have updated the advice below. Border rules can change at short notice: check the latest UK government advice before you travel and follow the instructions of border staff when you arrive.

Thinking about a small ship cruise to Greece? The last few years have brought longer queues, more paperwork, and now a brand new EU border system. Here is where things stand for British travellers.

In April 2026 Greece said that British passport holders would not be asked to register their biometric details under EES. The European Commission has since said that EU rules do not allow a blanket exemption for any nationality, and Greek officials have said there is no formal exemption. In practice, you may or may not be asked to register when you arrive in Greece, so it is best to be ready for it.

EES is the EU’s digital border system for non-EU visitors, including British citizens on short stays. It started in October 2025 and has been fully in place across the Schengen area since 10 April 2026. Instead of having your passport stamped, you may be asked to register your fingerprints and a photograph at the border, and to give a fingerprint or photo again when you leave. Registration is free, children aged 11 or younger are not fingerprinted (though they can be photographed), and your digital record lasts for three years. Many travellers and operators have raised concerns about added delays at border points.

On 17 April 2026 the Greek Embassy in London announced that British passport holders were exempt from biometric registration at Greek border crossing points. That notice was later removed. The UK government’s travel advice for Greece still says (as of 30 October 2026): “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.”

However, the European Commission has said that the EES rules do not provide for blanket exemptions for the nationals of particular countries: biometric checks can only be paused at specific border points, for limited periods, when queues are exceptional. Greece’s Foreign Ministry and police have since said that there is no formal exemption for British travellers and that EES is fully operating in Greece. Other Schengen countries, such as Italy, Croatia and France, have made no similar announcement.

Whether you are asked for fingerprints and a photo when you land in Greece may depend on the airport and how busy it is, and the position may change. To be ready:

• Allow extra time at passport control, especially at busy times, and follow the instructions of the border staff.
• Check that your passport meets the Schengen rules: it must have been issued less than 10 years before the day you arrive and must expire at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area (see the GOV.UK entry requirements for Greece).
• Check the UK government’s travel advice for Greece shortly before you travel, as this is where any change will be published.

Cruising to other countries too? See our FAQ on travel documents for the passport rules of each destination we sail to.

Thinking about cruising in Greece this summer? Whether you’re still deciding which islands to explore or you’re ready to start planning, we’re here to help.

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