Lorraine Williamson
From 12 October 2025, British visitors heading to Spain and other Schengen countries will face a new reality at the border. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES), a digital registration scheme for non-EU nationals on short stays, will come into effect — replacing the familiar ink stamp with biometric data.
Instead of a manual passport stamp, travellers will need to register biometric details such as fingerprints and a facial photo on arrival. The process creates a digital file valid for three years, meaning future trips will require only a quick verification rather than full re-registration.
For first-time use, expect to stop at a dedicated booth at airports, seaports, or land crossings. While there is no cost for EES registration, officials warn the process may cause longer waits at busy borders, particularly in the early months.
Where checks take place
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Air travel: EES checks will be carried out on arrival in Spain or any other Schengen destination.
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Sea and land crossings: If travelling via Dover, Folkestone’s Eurotunnel, or London St Pancras, biometric checks will happen before leaving the UK.
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Return journeys: Passengers may also be asked for fingerprints or a facial scan when leaving the Schengen area.
Who the system applies to
The EES affects non-EU nationals, including British citizens, entering for a short stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This 90/180-day rule applies collectively across all Schengen states, not just Spain.
Exemptions include:
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Holders of residence permits such as Spain’s TIE card.
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Nationals of EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.
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Beneficiaries of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, provided they hold the specific residence documents issued by their host country.
UK nationals living in Spain: residency documents matter
For British residents in Spain, the type of residency document you hold is now critical. To be exempt from registering with the EES, you must show a biometric residency card recognised under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. In Spain, that document is the Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE).
Green residency certificates, officially called the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión Europea, will not be recognised for exemption. This means travellers holding only a green certificate risk being logged in the EES as short-stay visitors. In practice, that could result in being mistakenly identified as overstaying and even being denied re-entry to Spain or another Schengen country.
The TIE is currently the only document accepted under the EU Schengen Border Guard Handbook as legal proof of residency. British nationals still relying on the old-style green certificate are strongly advised to exchange it for a TIE card as soon as possible to avoid problems at the border once EES comes into effect.
Why the EU is introducing EES
The European Commission says the scheme will:
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Modernise border checks, replacing outdated manual stamps.
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Prevent overstays by digitally tracking entries and exits.
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Strengthen security by helping authorities detect identity fraud, irregular migration, and potential security threats.
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Ease travel in the long run, with automated border systems expected to cut waiting times once the system is bedded in.
A six-month progressive rollout is planned, meaning not every crossing point will implement biometric checks immediately. During this transition, passports may continue to be stamped until full EES enforcement begins on 10 April 2026.
Looking ahead: ETIAS from 2026
The EES is only the first step in the EU’s new digital border framework. By 2026, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will also launch. Unlike EES, ETIAS will require UK travellers to apply in advance, submitting personal details, travel plans, and a €20 fee before entering Spain or other Schengen states.
Preparing for your trip
For now, British travellers do not need to take action before travelling to Spain. But once EES starts, factor in extra time at the border for biometric registration, especially if visiting for the first time after 12 October 2025. British residents already living in Spain should also ensure they hold a valid TIE card, as this is the only way to avoid being registered in the EES.
A digital shift at Europe’s borders
The EES marks a major change in how non-EU citizens enter Spain and the wider Schengen area. While it may initially bring longer queues, Brussels argues it will ultimately make travel safer, more efficient, and more transparent.
For UK holidaymakers, second-home owners, and residents alike, the end of the passport stamp is the start of a new digital era at Europe’s frontiers.
Sources: European Union, UK Government