Spain is one of the countries gradually implementing the new EES System
Spain is one of the countries gradually implementing the new EES System
The Foreign Office has updated its advice for people travelling to Spain in the coming months. The guidance comes as The European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) continues to be rolled out. EES checks are being introduced in a phased way across external borders, with full operation expected from April 10 2026.
This means that when you travel into the Schengen area for short stays, you may need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo. You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border, and there is no cost for EES registration.
On your first visit into a Schengen country, you may be asked to register your details at a special booth before proceeding to the immigration desk. Children aged eleven or younger will not have their fingerprints scanned but can be required to have their photo taken.
Spain is one of the countries gradually implementing the new EES System. The Foreign Office said: “EES may take each passenger a few minutes extra to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border.
“Until EES is fully rolled out your passport will continue to be stamped, even if you’ve already been registered for EES. Once EES is fully rolled out, it will replace the current system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the Schengen area for short stays and you will input biometric details every time you enter or exit.”
The EES started on October 12 2025. The other countries in the Schengen area are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
The Republic of Ireland and Cyprus are not within the Schengen area, and therefore EES is not applicable when travelling to either of these countries.
Your digital EES record is valid for three years. If you enter the Schengen area again during this time, you will only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border, when you enter and exit.
EES is part of wider work the EU is doing to strengthen their border security. From Autumn 2026, the EU is expected to start operations of the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
When ETIAS is introduced, you will need to apply for authorisation to enter Schengen area countries if you are using a UK passport and don’t already have a visa or residence permit. You will need to provide personal information and details about your trip, and pay a 20 Euro fee, as part of the authorisation process.
Spain follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must have a date of issue less than ten years before the date you arrive. If you renewed your passport before October 1 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than ten years ago.
Your passport must also have an expiry date at least three months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area (the expiry date does not need to be within ten years of the date of issue).
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
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