Italy and Portugal Follow Greece in Suspending EU Border Checks for UK Tourists
Italy and Portugal are easing EU border checks for British tourists, following Greece's decision to suspend the Entry/Exit System (EES) amid travel disruption concerns. The move aims to avoid airport congestion and maintain the competitive advantage of southern European destinations.
Greece, Portugal, and Italy are suspending EU border checks for UK tourists due to travel disruption concerns. Greece was the first to pause the new biometric checks, prioritizing smoother arrivals during the peak travel season. Portugal has begun informally relaxing checks during peak congestion, while Italy is expected to introduce similar measures ahead of the May school holiday period. The Entry/Exit System (EES) requires non-EU travellers to submit biometric data at entry points, but its rollout has faced criticism due to technical failures and long processing times. Industry observers warn that other countries, such as Spain, France, and Croatia, may follow suit to avoid losing British tourism revenue. The European Commission faces growing pressure to reassess the implementation of the EES system.
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