We have hoped for this! Good news arrives before the beginning of the summer season and travels to Greece. The European Union has confirmed that the full implementation of the new Entry/Exit System (EES), planned for April 10, 2026, can be temporarily postponed or partially suspended during the summer months to ensure smooth traffic flow.
What does this mean in practice? Member states have been granted the right to flexibility to temporarily halt the implementation of the EES system for 90 days, with the possibility of extension for an additional 60 days, practically covering the entire season. This means that at many borders, if necessary, traditional passport control with manual stamping will continue to be used instead of complete biometric registration (photographing and fingerprinting).
It is important to understand that the decision on a potential suspension is not something planned in advance for everyone, but rather represents a “tool” - a mechanism of flexibility that the EU has provided to states to react in emergency situations. Greece, like other countries, has been given this risk management tool, but for now, the system operates smoothly without major delays.
Why did the EU react?
The implementation of the EES has extended border procedures at some airports by up to 70%. During peak times, passengers were waiting up to 3 hours, causing some to miss their flights.
The airport in Lisbon completely suspended the EES for three months in December due to extreme delays, so the system was suspended until technical and staffing issues were resolved.
Our Field Experience
From our experience and that of our passengers, the current registration process takes only a minute or two per person, which has not led to any collapse so far. We monitor the situation at border crossings daily. Greek authorities are carefully analyzing the situation, and we are confident that if they feel that security or traffic flow could be compromised, they will use the allowed flexibility to avoid congestion during the peak season. We will immediately inform the public about all new information. For all passengers who want detailed information on what this system means for them and what to expect at the border, we have prepared a detailed guide: What is the EES - New System of Border Controls.
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