Passport Control Delays Cause Long Waits for Visitors to Leros

The PASOK Member of Parliament for Dodecanese, Head of KTE Development and Deputy Secretary of State, brings to the Parliament the serious delays and long hours of inconvenience for visitors at the entrance-exit gate of Leros, due to the implementation of the new European Entry-Exit System. of Culture - Tourism Giorgos Nikitiadis, with a Question he submitted to five Ministers of the Government. The Question is addressed to the Minister of Citizen Protection, Mr. Michalis Chrysochoidis, the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Ms. Vassilis Kikilia, the Minister of Tourism, Ms. Olga Kefalogiannis, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Mr. Christos Dimas, and the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Theodoros Livanios.

As mentioned in the Question, reports in the local press record strong protests and serious complaints from visitors about the long delays observed during the passport control process in Leros.

According to what is reported, the wait for tourists, especially those arriving by boats and day boats from Turkey, in some cases even exceeds three hours. In his Question, the Dodecanese Member of Parliament points out that the implementation of the new European Entry-Exit System, known as Entry-Exit System – EES, requires the collection of biometric data, such as facial photographs and fingerprints, as well as electronic registration of third-country nationals entering the Schengen area.

However, the implementation of such a demanding system at an entry gate with an increased tourist flow, without sufficient staffing and without the necessary modern technological equipment, creates serious problems in the service of travelers.

Mr. Nikitiadis underlines that Leros relies significantly on the direct tourist connection and the flow of visitors from the Turkish market. In this light, the delays, understaffing and lack of infrastructure not only cause inconvenience to visitors, but also damage the image of the island, at a critical time for the local economy and tourism of the arid Dodecanese.

At the same time, the Member of Parliament recalls that similar problems of overcrowding and waiting at the passport control points also occur in other ports of the Dodecanese, an issue which he had already raised with his Question No. 5745/30-5-2026. He also notes that the special issue of delays due to the implementation of the EES has already been raised by the Parliamentary Group of PASOK - Movement for Change with its Question No. 6182/15-6-2026.

With his parliamentary intervention, Mr. Nikitiadis asks the competent Ministers to answer:

• What do they intend to do and with what timetable, in order to expand and adequately staff the passport control points at the port of Leros.
• If there is a plan for the immediate upgrade of the technological equipment and digital infrastructure in the port of Leros.
• What concrete plan is there to deal with the problems of overcrowding and delays in Leros and the other gateways to the Dodecanese in order to ensure a smooth flow of visitors during the current tourist season and to protect the country's international image.

INQUIRY

To:

1. The Minister of Citizen Protection, Mr. Michalis Chrysochoidis
2. The Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Mr. Vassilis Kikilia
3. The Minister of Tourism Mrs. Olga Kefalogianni
4. The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Mr. Christos Dimas
5. The Minister of the Interior Mr. Theodoros Livanios

Theme:"Visitor inconvenience and serious delays in passport control at the entry-exit gate of Leros due to the implementation of the new European Entry-Exit System (EES)"

Dear Ministers,

Today's publication of the local information website of the Dodecanese Leros News (July 7, 2026) highlights the strong protests and serious complaints of visitors regarding the long delays during the passport control process at the entry-exit gate of Leros.

According to the publication, the wait for tourists, especially those arriving by boats and day boats from neighboring Turkey, in some cases even exceeds three (3) hours. This fact causes enormous inconvenience and irritation to travelers, irreparably damaging the image of the island and the local tourism product at a critical time for the economy of the island region.

As pointed out in the publication, the root of the problem can be found in the full operation, from April 10, 2026, of the new European Entry/Exit System (EES) for citizens of third countries in the Schengen area. The new process requires the capture of biometric data (taking a facial photo, fingerprints) and electronic registration. However, the implementation of such a demanding system at an entry gate with an increased flow, without the parallel and sufficient reinforcement in specialized police personnel and modern technological equipment, turns the arrival of visitors into a "test of patience".

As Leros relies heavily on direct tourism connectivity and visitor flow from the Turkish market, understaffing and infrastructure deficiencies threaten to nullify the island's developmental advantages. There is, therefore, an urgent need for immediate staffing of the control gate, upgrading of technical means and rational organisation of the flow, in order to ensure speedy and smooth service to travelers.

Giventhat corresponding problems of overcrowding and waiting at the passport control points appear in most of the ports of the Dodecanese, a fact which I had highlighted with my question No. 5745/30-5-2026.

Giventhat the issue of delays specifically due to the implementation of the new European entry/exit system (Entry/Exit System - EES) for citizens of third countries has already been highlighted by the PASOK - Movement for Change parliamentary group with its question No. 6182/15-6-2026.

Giventhat the image of the entry points into the country is extremely important for the international image of the country and for the development and maintenance of tourism in our islands.

Ministers are asked:

1. What do you intend to do, and with what timetable, in order to expand and adequately staff the passport control points, especially at the port of Leros, so that the control upon entry of third country citizens (taking fingerprints, checking documents) can be carried out without long delays?
2. Is there a plan for the immediate upgrade of the technological equipment and digital infrastructure at the port of Leros, in order to respond effectively to the increased requirements of the new European Entry-Exit System (EES)?
3. With what specific plan do you intend to solve the problems of overcrowding and delays observed in Leros and the other gateways of the Dodecanese in order to ensure the smooth flow of visitors from third countries during the current tourist season and to preserve the international image of our country?

The Questioning Member of Parliament

Georgios Nikitiadis

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