Starting Mid October 2025, the Entry Exit System is progressively rolling out across European airports. This is important to know for all Non EU citizens travelling into 29 countries in Europe.
This system involves registering personal details, including fingerprints and facial images, when entering the Schengen area. (excludes Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein)
So far in Spain, the first airports testing this system are Barcelona and Alicante. They began on 27th October 2025. If you are a European citizen, including Cyprus and Ireland. You won´t need to do this check.
When you arrive into Spain (or other European airport) you are required to use the new biometric border check machines. This system is digitalized and replaces the passport stamping on the border control. This is streamlined and just asks you some basic questions and takes your digital fingerprints.
Initially it may that border checks take a little longer. If you have a biometric passport, then it should be a quicker process.
ETIAS travel authorisation
Don´t confuse this with the ETIAS travel authorisation, which will come into force in Autumn 2026. This document is required when visiting from non EU countries for 90 days or less and has a 20 euro fee. This will need pre authorisation and be valid for use in 30 countries of the Schengen/EU area. To find out more please head to the official website: ETIAS – What you need
EES + ETIAS Timeline – At a glance
- Sunday 12th October 2025 – Rollout begins
- 20th October 2025 – EES Gates running at Malaga Airports (some are reporting slow queues & long waits 30 minutes or more)
- 27th October 2025 – EES Gates operating in Barcelona and Alicante Airports.
- 17th November 2025 – EES Gates will be operating at Palma de Mallorca Airport.
- 10th April 2026 – The system implementation completes for 29 countries in Europe. (there are a few exceptions such as Cyprus for example)
- Autumn 2026 – ETIAS Travel Authorisation Scheme begins.
- Sea ports, Train Terminals will also be part of this system for Border control.
