Else Beekman
The Costa del Sol’s hotel industry has expressed growing concern about the upcoming launch of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), warning that it could create major bottlenecks at Málaga Airport unless procedures are clearly defined in advance.
Set to take effect in October 2025, the EES will apply across 29 European countries. It is designed to modernise border control processes for non-EU travellers entering the Schengen Area for short stays of up to 90 days. The system will replace the current practice of manually stamping passports.
However, hoteliers, particularly those represented by Aehcos (Association of Hoteliers of the Costa del Sol), fear the lack of clarity about how the new procedures will work in practice could cause long queues at immigration.
“We are concerned that this process, which is still undefined, will result in enormous queues at Málaga Airport,” said Javier Hernández, Vice President of Aehcos. “The British market is crucial for tourism here. At peak times, over 6,000 passengers per hour from the UK alone arrive at Málaga.”
Biometric checks and uncertainty
The EES will register travellers’ biometric data — including fingerprints and facial images — along with personal information. Where available, this can be done via self-service kiosks or mobile applications. Otherwise, manual processing by border agents will be required, potentially increasing waiting times.
Although the EU has promised to publish detailed information “several months” before the system is introduced, many stakeholders remain in the dark.
Aehcos, along with the Costa del Sol Tourism Board, Málaga Airport, and the Sub-delegation of the Government, has formed a working group to monitor developments and mitigate potential disruption.
“We are not trying to be alarmist, but we must be cautious,” Hernández added. “We want to anticipate any problems that could arise.”
EES countries and exceptions
The new system will apply in countries including Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and others. However, Ireland and Cyprus, while EU members, will continue to manually stamp passports.
ETIAS in 2026
In addition to the EES, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to launch in late 2026. This will require non-EU visitors from visa-exempt countries to apply for online travel authorisation in advance. The application will cost €7 and will be linked to the traveller’s passport.
Hernández noted that the hotel sector is less concerned about ETIAS at this stage, as it appears to be a straightforward, pre-travel procedure.
Meanwhile: UK’s ETA already in place
Since 8 January 2025, the UK has introduced its own Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system for citizens of several countries. These include the US and Canada. From 2 April 2025, this requirement extends to all non-resident EU citizens, including children. They must now apply online before travelling to the UK for tourism, business, or short visits. The ETA costs £16, is valid for two years (or until the traveller’s passport expires). It allows for multiple entries as long as the same passport is used.
Although there is an agreement to eventually allow British travellers to use e-gates at some EU entry points, full implementation may vary by country and is unlikely to be in place before 2026.
For more details, travellers can visit the official UK government website.
EU’s long-delayed entry/exit system (EES) set for October launch