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Greece Suspends EES for British Travelers Amid Travel Delays

4/22/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Greece suspended the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) for British travelers due to severe delays, with queues up to four hours.
The move follows travel chaos across Europe caused by biometric checks, with many passengers missing flights.
Ryanair and easyJet warned travelers to expect longer waits and to arrive early.
The UK government acknowledged longer processing times and urged passengers to prepare for delays as the EES rolls out.

History

Historical Context

The Schengen Agreement, signed in 1985 and enacted in 1995, eliminated internal border controls among 26 European countries, facilitating over 1.7 billion border crossings annually by 2019. Greece's recent suspension of the EU’s Entry/Exit System for British travelers reflects ongoing tensions between security and convenience, echoing past challenges faced during the European migrant crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Story summary

Greece suspended the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) for British travelers due to severe delays, with queues up to four hours.
The move follows travel chaos across Europe caused by biometric checks, with many passengers missing flights.
Ryanair and easyJet warned travelers to expect longer waits and to arrive early.
The UK government acknowledged longer processing times and urged passengers to prepare for delays as the EES rolls out.

1 / 2