If you're travelling to Greece for a week away this summer, The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has issued new advice you need to know about.
Before you head off on your holidays, they recommend giving yourself more time for security checks on both outward and inward flights, thanks to changes in the Schengen Borders Code regulation meaning delays at passport control are likely.
The FCO's advice reads:
"As of April 7, 2019, the Hellenic Police [Greece's national police force] will begin implementing systematic passport control checks for all European citizens travelling to and from destinations outside the Schengen area (including the UK) in line with a 2017 Schengen Borders Code regulation.
"Increased waiting times at passport control are possible on departure from and arrival into Greece. You should ensure you arrive at the airport in good time."
So regardless of whatever happens to the UK's EU membership as Brexit negotiations continue, holiday makers heading or from Greece will face longer delays at passport control.
The Schengen Area is an area comprising of 26 European states that have abolished border control at their mutual borders, meaning travel between countries with a common visa policy is possible.
Along with other member states Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania, the UK is not part of this area, and so will face longer wait times at passport control as they travel to and from Greece.
So if you're hoping over to Mykonos this summer or fancy a week away in Crete, make sure you get to the airport on time.
Dusty Baxter-Wright is an award-winning journalist and the Entertainment and Lifestyle Director at Cosmopolitan, having previously worked at Sugarscape. She was named one of PPA’s 30 Under 30 for her work covering pop culture, careers, interiors and travel, and oversees the site’s Entertainment and Lifestyle strategy across print, digital and video. As a journalist for the best part of a decade, she has interviewed everyone from Louis Theroux and Channing Tatum to Margot Robbie and Ncuti Gatwa, while she has also spoken on Times Radio and BBC Radio. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram here.
