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Dozens of tall, sophisticated and expensive machines stand idle at Palma de Mallorca Airport – one of Spain’s major gateways. British holidayThey are kiosks that will take facial biometrics and fingerprints from arriving passengers for much delayed compliance European Union Entry-Exit System (EES)But they will remain inactive for some time; Spain is taking a slow and cautious approach to the new digital border plan.
as a result of Brexit The agreement, which made UK citizens “third country nationals” in relation to the EU, will see all British holidaymakers and business travelers subject to EES checks on entry and exit. By 9 April 2026, the goal is that the entry-exit system will be in place at all external borders of the Schengen Area, which includes most of the EU in addition to Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.
Three countries – Estonia, Luxembourg and Czech Republic – Assume that they will operate the entry-exit system for all arrivals and departures from the first day, 12 October 2025.
Other countries have told Independent They will launch EES from the same airports: for Germany, Düsseldorf; Norway, to Oslo.
Spain, the most popular country for British holidaymakers, will initially trial EES with a single flight arriving at Madrid Airport on the first day of the system.
Other airports will follow, and then some of Spain’s land borders. It is unclear whether the crossing from Gibraltar is included, as the British overseas territory will soon be incorporated into the Schengen area in all but name under a new treaty.
Sea ports from the UK, including the ferry destinations of Bilbao and Santander, will be the last to be included.
The Spanish government says: “During a six-month trial period for the EU EES, it will be gradually implemented at Spanish border crossings, first at airports, then at land borders and finally at sea borders.
“On Sunday 12 October, the first test will be carried out with passengers of a flight arriving early in the morning at Madrid-Barajas-Adolfo Suárez Airport.”
It is unclear when other major air gateways, including Alicante, Barcelona, Málaga and Tenerife as well as Palma, will follow.