New EU border checks cause delays at Athens airport

New European Union entry and exit rules introduced in April are causing longer waiting times at Athens International Airport, particularly for travellers arriving from non-Schengen countries.

Under the new system, passengers must undergo additional biometric checks, including fingerprinting and photographs. Average passport control times have increased from around 20 seconds to about 90 seconds.

According to Kathimerini, delays can stretch beyond two hours during busy periods, especially between noon and 2 p.m. when multiple non-Schengen flights arrive simultaneously.

Airport and transport officials say around 6,000 non-Schengen passengers currently pass through border control on the busiest days, with numbers expected to exceed 15,000 during the summer peak.

Athens International Airport has increased staffing at passport control desks and plans to introduce automated kiosks in the coming months to ease congestion.