Queues form on North Macedonia border following biometric entry-exit rollout
Long traffic queues have formed at Greece’s border with North Macedonia following the introduction of the European Union’s new digital biometric border screening system, causing significant delays for travelers entering the country.
Local media reported that waiting times for private vehicles at the Evzoni border crossing have reached about two hours, while passengers on tourist buses and coaches have faced delays exceeding five hours.
Among those affected at the Evzoni crossing are thousands of families and holidaymakers traveling to popular northern Greek destinations, including Halkidiki, Kavala and Pieria, ahead of the season’s first major wave of beach tourism.
The congestion follows the rollout of the EU’s Entry-Exit System (EES), which began operating at Greek airports and other entry points on April 10 as part of a wider European initiative. The system replaces traditional passport stamps with biometric registration based on facial photographs and digital fingerprints.
The new procedures have also led to longer processing times at Greek airports. Until recently, border checks largely involved verifying travel documents and checking passports against European databases, a process that typically took around 20 seconds per passenger. Under the EES, processing times have increased to roughly 90 seconds per traveler.
At Athens International Airport, waiting times now range from 90 minutes to two and a half hours, depending on the time of day.
Kathimerini
