The move came after long queues and delays hit airports across Europe following the introduction of the European Union’s new Entry Exit System (EES), which requires non-EU travellers to provide biometric information when entering or leaving the Schengen area.
Since 10 April, British travellers entering many European countries have been required to register fingerprints and facial biometrics on a central database.
However, Greece took the unilateral decision to suspend the biometric requirement for British visitors after travellers reported lengthy waits at airports and some passengers even missed flights due to delays.
Greek tourism minister Olga Kefalogianni said the country wants to ensure British visitors continue to enjoy a smooth arrival experience.
She said: "We aim to actually make sure that this facilitation is not just valid for this year."
Speaking about the introduction of the EES system, she said: "In the very beginning of the season we faced some delays in the whole process at the airports."
Under current EU rules, countries can temporarily suspend biometric checks if queues become excessive.
But Greece has gone further by removing the requirement entirely for British travellers until further notice.
Kefalogianni said: "We really want our travellers to have the best experience and we understand that any inconvenience in getting into Greece or exiting would create a frustration.
"We really do not want anyone to have to face a lot of bureaucracy, so we have managed to facilitate the system in order for British citizens to not have any burden, especially at the airports.
"So it’s just a very easy way to come in and exit the country. Up to now it’s been like a minute or so just to come in and out."
The decision has proved popular with British holidaymakers, with new figures from the Advantage Travel Partnership showing summer holiday sales to Greece have now overtaken mainland Spain.
Kefalogianni added: "We are part of the Schengen area. We aim always to abide by the rules, but at the same time we want our visitors to feel very welcome."
She also called for technology to be used in a way that improves the travel experience.
Kefalogianni said: "Definitely we could make very good use of technology in order for visitors’ experience to be much smoother. Since technology is part of our everyday life, it should also make our life easier in all respects."
