Lorraine Williamson
A quiet revolution begins at Europe’s borders today. From Sunday, 12 October 2025, the European Union’s new Entry-Exit System (EES) starts its phased introduction. This signals the end of old-fashioned passport stamps and the arrival of digital border control. Spain, like many Schengen countries, is moving cautiously. However, the change marks a major shift in how travellers from outside the EU will be monitored, verified and recorded.
The EES will register the time and place of every entry and exit made by non-EU nationals visiting the Schengen area. Instead of an inked stamp, each arrival will be logged digitally, complete with a photograph and fingerprint data taken on the first visit. Subsequent trips will usually require only a facial scan to match the stored information. It’s part of a Europe-wide effort modernising security and preventing overstays, while reducing opportunities for identity fraud and illegal migration.
A gradual rollout in Spain
Spain is among the countries opting for a careful, staged introduction. The first live test begins today with a single flight arriving at Madrid-Barajas airport. Over the coming months, biometric kiosks and scanners will appear at other airports before extending to land crossings and seaports. The Spanish government has already invested more than €80 million to modernise its border infrastructure, upgrading terminals, software systems and surveillance networks.
Not every point of entry is yet equipped for the new procedure. Some ports are still awaiting technical installations, meaning that travellers may experience a mix of traditional stamping and biometric checks during the transition. The government expects full operation across all Spanish borders by April 2026, aligning with the wider EU schedule.
Spain’s phased introduction of the EES began with a symbolic milestone earlier today, when an Australian national became the first traveller to enter Spain under the new Entry-Exit System. The moment was confirmed by the Spanish Ministry of the Interior on social media, thanking the Policía Nacional and the wider operations team for their role in bringing the new technology online. The ministry also reiterated that the system will be fully operational across all Spanish borders by April 2026, covering air, sea and land points of entry for all non-Schengen visitors.
Who will notice the difference?
For most EU citizens, nothing changes. The new system applies only to travellers from outside the European Union and Schengen zone. This includes those from the UK, the United States, Canada and other “third-country” nations. These visitors, who can stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, will have their biometric data collected on first entry. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting, though a facial image may still be captured.
Those who already provided fingerprints for a Schengen visa will not need to repeat the process. However, all non-EU visitors will be recorded in the system whenever they cross the border. This will create a clear digital trail of their movements.
Why the TIE card for UK citizens in Spain matters
Early teething problems expected
Border officials across Europe have warned of possible delays as the system beds in. Collecting fingerprints and facial scans takes longer than stamping passports. Therefore, the queues could stretch considerably at major airports during peak periods. Travellers are being urged to arrive early and allow extra time, particularly for their first entry under the new scheme.
Spain’s gradual implementation is designed precisely to avoid chaos at the terminals. Even so, early users should expect slower processing while staff adjust to the new technology. If a scan fails or an identity check raises a question, travellers may be redirected for manual inspection.
Balancing security and privacy
The introduction of EES has not been without controversy. Civil-liberties groups have expressed concerns about data protection and the storage of biometric information. The EU insists that all data will be handled in accordance with strict European privacy laws and retained only for limited periods — usually three years for short-stay visitors. Officials argue that the benefits outweigh the risks: the system will automate the detection of visa overstays, improve accuracy in identity verification and make it easier for regular travellers to re-enter with minimal fuss once enrolled.
A new era for border control
The EES is the most significant change to Schengen border management in a generation. For Spain, it represents both an opportunity and a logistical challenge: ensuring its busiest airports, land crossings and ports can handle millions of biometric transactions efficiently and securely. In the long term, once the early disruption settles, the new technology is expected to speed up travel for frequent visitors, reduce errors and give authorities a more reliable picture of who is entering and leaving the bloc.
As of today, the shift from paper to digital has begun. For travellers planning a trip to Spain or elsewhere in Europe, the advice is simple: check official guidance before departure, arrive early, and be prepared for a slightly longer wait at passport control — at least until the system finds its rhythm.