New EU Border Control System triggers long delays at Greek crossings
Long vehicle queues, hours-long waits and growing frustration have emerged at Greece’s northern land borders following the rollout of the European Union’s new digital Entry/Exit System (EES), according to border officials and tourism representatives.
The biometric system, fully implemented across 29 European countries since April 10, requires non-EU travelers entering or leaving the Schengen zone to provide fingerprints, passport details and facial photographs. Greek border crossings in Kılkıç (Kilkis) and Meriç (Evros) have been among the worst affected.
Heavy congestion has been reported at the Evzones, Doiran (Doirani), Bahçeköy (Kipoi) and Çörekköy (Kastanies) checkpoints, with travelers from Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Türkiye facing delays of up to 10 hours, according to border guard unions.
Police representatives criticized outdated infrastructure and slow internet networks, saying the system was introduced without adequate preparation. Images circulating in Greek and Balkan media showed families waiting roadside with children while officers carried out biometric registrations under difficult conditions.
Tourism industry officials warned the delays could discourage visitors traveling by road to northern Greece during the summer season, particularly from Balkan countries and Türkiye that make up a major share of regional tourism traffic.
Greek authorities are now considering emergency measures, including separating EU and non-EU travelers into different lanes at border crossings to reduce congestion ahead of the peak tourist season.
