British tourists heading to Spain and other Schengen countries will face major changes at the border starting autumn 2025 as the EU introduces its new Entry/Exit System (EES). The system moves away from traditional passport checks toward digital verification, affecting millions visiting popular destinations such as Mallorca.
The first phase begins on 12 October 2025, when only some border points start using biometric scanning. Selected travellers may need to provide fingerprints and facial scans, while most UK visitors will continue using standard passport stamping. Those registered in the EES could experience longer queues during this transition.
By 11 December 2025, all operational EES checkpoints are expected to collect biometric data from every traveller. At least half of border points should be EES-enabled by January 2026, with full system rollout scheduled for 9 April 2026, when passport stamping will be discontinued.
Another change comes with the European Travel Information and Authorisation (Etias), expected to launch in October 2026. This pre-travel clearance, similar to the US ESTA, will cost 20€ and be valid for three years. Children under 18 and travellers over 70 are exempt from the fee but still need to apply. Airlines may refuse boarding to anyone without valid authorisation, though a six-month grace period will apply.
Impact on the 90-Day Rule
UK tourists should also remember that the 90-day rule for Schengen stays still applies. Visitors can spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period across Schengen countries without a visa, and the EES will make it easier for authorities to track this digitally. This is particularly important for travellers making multiple trips in a single year, as overstays—even by a day—could result in fines or entry bans. Etias will also flag previous overstays, adding another layer of enforcement. Travellers should carefully track their entry and exit dates to ensure they remain within the limit.
Until these systems come into effect, entry requirements based solely on passports remain unchanged. Border authorities may still ask travellers to show proof of sufficient funds or return arrangements, but travel insurance is not mandatory.