The European Union (EU) has confirmed the date for a major rule change affecting all British tourists visiting Spain.
A new Entry/Exit System (EES) will officially be introduced on October 12, 2025, in 29 participating European countries, including Spain, as part of moves to improve border security within the EU and its neighbouring countries. The system aims to stop visitors from overstaying and reduce illegal migration within the Schengen area. The system will begin a progressive rollout from October 12 following approval by the European Parliament and will mean British tourists will have to register their fingerprints at take a facial photo at EU borders.
The EES, which was initially due to launch last year but was delayed, will replace the current system of manually stamping passports with biometric data instead. But the EU has said the rollout of the new system will be introduced gradually at borders, so tourists going to Spain this year may not be required to register their fingerprints right away as the phased implementation will run until April 9, 2026, after which point it will be fully operational.
The EU said: “The new Entry/Exit System (EES) will start on October 12, 2025. European countries using the EES will introduce the system gradually at their external borders. This means your data may not be collected at every border crossing point right away.
“The Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin its operations gradually. During this time, different parts of the system, such as collecting biometric data (facial image and fingerprints), will be implemented by the European countries using EES step by step.
“This means that travellers’ biometric data (facial image and fingerprints) might not be collected, and their personal information may not be registered in the system. Passports will continue to be stamped as usual.”
This phased implementation will last until April 9, 2026. From April 10, 2026, the EES will be fully operational at all external border crossings of the European countries using the system.
In its travel advice for Spain, the UK Foreign Office warns that the rollout of the EES from October may result in longer queues on arrival.
It said: “When EES is introduced, you will need to create a digital record on your first visit to the Schengen area at the port or airport on arrival. You will be required to submit your fingerprints and have your photo taken at dedicated booths.
“You will not need to provide any information before travelling to a Schengen area country. If you are flying to a country in the Schengen area, you may experience longer queue times when you arrive at your destination.
“At some ports and international stations (Dover, Eurotunnel and St Pancras), there may be increased wait times while EES registration is completed before passengers leave the UK. If you are travelling through one of these stations, you should check with your travel operator to find out whether EES will affect your journey.
“Your digital record is valid for 3 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.”
Once the EES is in operation, Brits will need to create a digital record on their first visit to the Schengen area at the port or airport when they arrive, which will include submitting fingerprints and having a photo taken.
The EES digital record will remain valid for three years, so if you visit a Schengen area again during this period you’ll only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border when you enter and exit.
The system applies to non-EU nationals visiting 29 countries in the Schengen Area, including popular tourist destinations like Spain, France, Portugal, Italy and Greece.
Entries and exits, or entry refusals will be electronically registered in the EES, but in Cyprus and Ireland – despite being countries of the EU – passports will still be stamped manually.