The British Ambassador to Spain, Sir Alex Ellis, recently stressed to the Bulletin the importance of British residents getting the TIE identification card ahead of April next year when all of the EU Schengen region will have the new biometric EES entry and exit scheme in operation. He explained that for a short period, there will be alternative options at border controls but having a TIE card will make travelling in and out of Spain much easier and fluid while also preventing residents getting caught in the 90-day trap.
However, in practice there still seems to be some confusion and Britons living in Spain and who are residents have been issued a new warning by police to avoid the EU’s new Entry Exit System (EES) queues or automatic gates when entering or leaving the country via its airports. According to a new internal email sent to inspectors, anyone holding a valid Spanish residence card should not be registered in the system.
The implementation of the EES is still in its early stages, and concerns have been raised about its impact on passenger experience, particularly during peak travel periods. According to Spain’s Ministry of the Interior, the system will be phased in until April 10, 2026, which means the automated checks will run alongside the traditional passport stamping system for several months.
While the new system promises to improve border control efficiency in the long term, its rollout has revealed several kinks that need to be addressed before it can operate smoothly. For now, passengers are advised to plan ahead and account for the additional time required to navigate the biometric checks, especially during the adjustment period. With continued testing and refinement, the EU’s EES system is expected to eventually streamline the entry process for non-Schengen travellers.
What is the EES?
It is an automated IT system used by 29 European countries to register non-EU citizens crossing their external borders.
It records the traveller’s name, travel document data, biometric data (fingerprints and facial images), and date and place of entry and exit.
It also records any refusals of entry.
What is the purpose of the EES?
To modernise border control and replace the manual system of stamping passports.
To automatically detect travellers who overstay their authorised time.
To contribute to the prevention of irregular migration and enhance security.
To improve border security by accurately identifying travellers and combating crime.
How does it work?
The first time a non-EU national crosses an EES border, their passport is scanned, and their four fingerprints and a facial image are taken.
This data is stored and will be used for subsequent border crossings, making the process faster in the future.
Travellers will be registered at every border crossing, whether at an airport, seaport, or land crossing.
The system applies to stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
What to expect
Implementation began on October 12, 2025, with full implementation expected by April 10, 2026.
The system is being introduced gradually, which may lead to longer waiting times at borders initially.
Travellers should anticipate longer queues, especially during peak times.
The system is designed to be faster for repeat travellers once their biometric data is stored.
But what is important for Britons resident in Spain with a TIE card is that they can avoid the queues.