The new guidance comes into effect today, October 12
08:31, 12 Oct 2025Updated 08:33, 12 Oct 2025
The Foreign Office for Turkey has issued a travel update
Millions of people fly to Turkey every year for a relaxing break, with the country offering plenty of activities, stunning landscapes and beautiful weather.
But now the Foreign Office for Turkey has updated its travel advice for anyone in the country.
The latest advice from the Foreign Office concerns anyone considering taking a day trip to Greece. New guidance states: “If you are considering a day trip to a Greek island, be aware that Greece is in the Schengen Zone and will be introducing the new European Union (EU) Entry Exit System (EES) from 12 October.
“This applies to any non-EU national travelling from Turkey into the EU by land, sea or air (excluding airport transit). EES may take each passenger a few extra minutes to complete, so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border once the system starts.”
Millions of people travelling to Greece will soon face a different airport experience, after the introduction of the European Union’s Entry/Exit System.
When travelling into and out of the Schengen area, for short stays, you may need to have your fingerprints and your photo taken, and answer the Schengen Border Code questions. Along with Greece, 28 other countries are members of the Schengen Area. The area allows over 450 million people to travel freely between member countries without going through border controls.
According to the European Council of the European Union, Europeans make an estimated 1.25bn journeys within the Schengen area every year. The new digital border system will change requirements for British citizens travelling to many countries, reports the Liverpool Echo.
If you have a UK passport and are travelling into a country in the Schengen area for a short stay, you will be required to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo, when you arrive.
As a result, the government warns that when you are flying to a country in the Schengen area, you may experience longer queue times when you arrive at your destination.
Your digital EES record is valid for 3 years. If you enter the Schengen area again during this time, you will only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border, when you enter and exit.
The EES will electronically register your entries, exits, and entry refusals, and the new system is expected to make travel “simplified” and safer.
If you refuse to provide your biometric data, you will be denied entry into the territory of the European countries using the EES.
Your data will only be kept in the system for the purposes for which it was collected. The data stored in the EES is protected against abuse and access to it is restricted to specific staff within national authorities.
However, ensuring your passport is up to date and all is in order before travelling remains vitally important.
Countries in the European Union do not allow people from outside the EU to enter their borders if their passport was issued more than ten years ago from the date of travel.
You should also check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Travellers must also renew their passport if they need to. You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.