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Australians travelling on British passports will now be able to avoid biometric testing when they enter Greece after its government updated its EU’s Entry/Exit System rules.
As of April 10, Australians travelling to Europe will be fingerprinted and face-scanned at the border as authorities activate a sweeping new digital system designed to track who enters and leaves the continent. But around 200,000–300,000 Australians who have, or are entitled to, a UK passport will be able to avoid the checks after a rule change late last week.
Under the original European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), passport stamping is being replaced with biometric data collection across nearly 30 countries in the Schengen Zone, including France, Italy, Spain and Greece. The new system has caused significant delays at borders.
But a statement on the website of the Greek Embassy in London and posts on official social media channels late on Friday said posted an update for British passport holders travelling to Greece.
“In the framework of the implementation of the Entry/Exit System, as of 10 April 2026, British passport holders are exempt from biometric registration at Greek border crossing points,” it said.
That means those Australians using their UK passport to travel will not be required be fingerprinted and face-scanned at the border. They can spend a maximum of 90 days within any rolling 180-day period across all 29 Schengen countries. This is the 90/180-day rule, and it applies to every trip – holidays, business visits, house-hunting, all of it.
But there is no right to work as tourist entries don’t allow employment. If you want to work in Europe, UK passport holders need a visa or permit.
According to a Travel Weekly UK report the Greek National Tourism Organisation there posted: “When good news arrives in the midst of a crisis, its impact is even greater.
“The exemption of British passport holders from biometric registration at Greek border crossing points, effective from 10 April 2026, is expected to significantly reduce waiting times and ease congestion at airports.”
She added: “UK travellers will no longer need to undergo additional EES biometric procedures, ensuring a smoother and more efficient arrival experience in Greece.
“The Greek National Tourism Organisation remains committed to ensuring a seamless and welcoming journey for all visitors from the UK.”
