Portugal and Italy Reject EES Exemptions for British Travellers

The European Commission confirmed to BBC Business on Thursday that neither Portugal nor Italy plans to exempt British nationals from the EU’s new digital border checks, dashing hopes that the two popular holiday destinations would follow Greece’s lead.

EES Checks Remain Firmly in Place

The Entry-Exit System (EES), which began its phased rollout last October and was meant to be fully operational by April 10, requires most short-stay visitors from outside the EU and European Economic Area to submit fingerprint and facial scan data each time they cross the Schengen zone border. The Commission told the BBC that Portuguese and Italian authorities had explicitly stated they would not carve out exemptions for any nationality. The statement ends speculation prompted by unconfirmed reports that both countries were considering a similar approach to Greece.

The Greece Factor

Greece has in practice abandoned biometric checks on British citizens at its borders, even as Athens publicly insisted its EES rollout was proceeding normally. The Commission said it was engaging with Greek authorities to clarify the situation and reminded all member states that existing rules permit only short, location-specific suspensions during exceptional circumstances. Blanket exemptions targeting specific nationalities over extended periods are not permitted under current rules.

A Summer of Queues and Missed Flights

Long lines at European airports have already caused serious disruption for British holidaymakers this season. More than 100 passengers missed an EasyJet service from Milan Linate to Manchester last month after passport control queues ran far beyond boarding time. Ryanair passengers at Milan Bergamo faced similar problems on flights bound for Manchester. Airlines and travel groups have warned that delays could intensify once peak summer traffic arrives.

What Travellers Should Know

Anyone planning trips to Portugal, Italy, or other Schengen destinations this summer should budget extra time at passport control. The Commission has maintained that the system is broadly functioning as intended, even as passenger experience on the ground has at times told a different story. Travel disruption is compounding separate pressure on airlines from surging jet fuel costs. Carriers have already cut roughly 13,000 flights globally in May, about 1% of total scheduled departures for the month, though UK authorities have urged travellers not to cancel bookings given no active domestic fuel shortage exists.

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