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Tourists travelling through Athens are facing hours-long queues at the airport as new EU passport checks fuel fresh chaos for holidaymakers.

Footage captured by a Brit travelling through the Greek hub shows frustrated passengers packed into huge queues as they wait to clear the airport.

The scenes come as Britons are warned they may need to arrive up to four hours before their flights, with millions heading abroad during the peak summer holiday season.

Across Europe, passengers have faced lengthy queues, missed flights and hours of delays at airports since the introduction of the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES).

Under the new system, non-EU travellers must have their fingerprints and a facial image recorded when crossing EU external borders.

Since its launch on April 10, the system has led to disruption at border controls, with some passengers reportedly left scrambling to make their flights.

Now, the Greek capital appears to be the latest European hotspot for passport-control chaos.

Tourists visiting Athens have reported facing queues of up to two hours

One traveller passing through told the Daily Mail: 'I've been here over an hour and only moved about 100 feet.

'It's a nightmare, with people missing flights.'

Currently, a notice on the Athens International Airport website says: 'As of 30 March 2026, the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully deployed for all third-country nationals travelling to and from the Schengen Area.

'Passport control procedure might be significantly affected resulting in long waiting times.

'Passengers are kindly advised to arrive at the airport at least two and a half hours prior to their scheduled departure, in order to complete in time: check-in, security screening and passport control, where applicable.

'Important: Late arrival at the departure gate may result in denied boarding.'

Reports of lengthy queues at Athens airport have surfaced in recent weeks.

A month ago, one Reddit user said: 'We were there in May and it took us around two and a half hours due to the long passport control line… We also had only carry ons.'

Also last month, another wrote: 'We were there last week. It was chaos. Go four hours early, we almost missed our flight. Never again.'

Earlier this summer, one traveller commented: 'Just returned. The lines in Athens airport - coming and going - were at least two hours long for us.'

Images taken today show the lengthy queues snaking around the airport

Frustrated travellers have been advised to arrive very early at the airport

Unfortunately, it's not the only European hub to be affected by the new EES queues.

Faro Airport in Portugal has seen scenes involving huge queues of fuming fliers lined up in a terminal.

At Montenegro's Tivat Airport, large lines were seen outside, while inside saw a huge mass of people waiting to check their bags in.

And at Greece's Kos Airport there were scenes of chaos as countless people were trying to get on their planes home.

The Daily Mail has contacted Athens International Airport for comment.