Border Delays at Evzoni

The start of the summer season always brings a surge in traffic heading south. This year, the introduction of new entry protocols has intensified the situation at the Evzoni border crossing. While Greek media reported multi-hour standstills in recent days, local tour guide Aleksandar Tešić offers a more nuanced view of the current reality for travelers heading to Greece.

Tešić noted that conditions fluctuate wildly. Just one night ago, his group crossed smoothly with only one bus ahead of them. The wait was "classic," taking about 15 to 20 minutes per bus under the new biometric system. However, the situation was drastically different the previous evening. Reports indicated up to 70 buses stuck in a queue, leading to unpleasant waits for passengers and delays of several hours for some tour packages.

How the New Biometric System Works

The slowdown stems from a new digital biometric entry system. Tešić explained that the procedure itself is quick, estimating 20 to 30 seconds per passenger. Travelers do not leave fingerprints. Instead, they place their passport on a scanner, and a camera likely captures their image.

Despite the speed of the scan, the guide believes the system contributes to traffic jams. He observed that border staff often have to guide passengers through the process. Explaining how to press a hand against the screen or positioning the passport correctly takes time. These small interactions add up when hundreds of tourists are trying to cross simultaneously.

When to Travel to Avoid Queues

For travelers planning their trip, timing is key. Tešić warns that weekends are the worst time to cross. Friday night into Saturday sees the heaviest congestion. There is no guaranteed rule for avoiding delays, but experience suggests weekday travel is smoother.

The guide also pointed out a lack of coordination among travel agencies as a major factor. If every agency sends buses at 2:00 AM, they inevitably meet at the border, creating chaos. Better scheduling across the industry could significantly reduce wait times. Until then, patience remains essential for anyone heading south this summer.