If you’re travelling from the UK to Spain, you may have heard about the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES). Although many travellers are concerned it will make crossing the border more difficult, the system is simply a new way of recording entries and exits for visitors from countries outside the EU, including the United Kingdom.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) mainly affects UK visitors travelling to Spain as tourists or other short-term visitors. If you’re a UK citizen who is legally resident in Spain and hold a valid TIE residence card, different rules apply.

Here’s what British holidaymakers need to know before travelling to Spain.

Information correct as of 3 August 2026. Travel requirements may change, so always check the latest official advice before travelling to Spain.

What is the EES?

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a digital border management system being introduced by the European Union.

Instead of manually stamping passports, the system will electronically record when you enter and leave the Schengen Area. It is designed to improve border security while making it easier to monitor how long visitors stay.

As a UK passport holder, you will be included in the system because the UK is now a non-EU country.

How will it work?

The first time you enter the Schengen Area after EES is introduced, border officers will register your details electronically.

This will normally include:

• Your passport details.
• A facial photograph.
• Fingerprint scans.
• The date and place you entered the Schengen Area.

On future trips, your details will already be stored, making the process quicker in most cases.

Will my passport still be stamped?

In most cases, no.

The aim of EES is to replace manual passport stamps with electronic records, making it easier to calculate how many days you have spent within the Schengen Area.

Does this change the 90-day rule?

No.

UK visitors can still spend up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period within the Schengen Area without a visa.

The EES simply records your travel electronically and helps ensure these limits are followed.

Will it take longer at the airport?

During the first few months after the system is introduced, there may be slightly longer queues while travellers are registered for the first time.

Once your biometric details have been recorded, future border crossings should become quicker and more efficient.

Airports, ports and Eurostar terminals across Europe are preparing for the new system, although travellers should allow a little extra time during the early stages.

Do children need to register?

Yes.

The EES applies to most non-EU travellers entering the Schengen Area, including children, although the exact biometric information collected depends on the traveller’s age.

What should you do before travelling?

Before you leave for Spain:

• Make sure your passport is valid.
• Allow extra time at border control.
• Be prepared to have your photograph and fingerprints taken on your first trip after EES begins.
• Continue to keep track of how many days you spend in the Schengen Area.

Will ETIAS replace EES?

No.

The EES and ETIAS are two separate systems.

The EES records your entry and exit from the Schengen Area, while ETIAS will be an online travel authorisation that many visa-exempt travellers, including UK citizens, will need to obtain before travelling once it is introduced.

What if I’m a UK citizen who lives in Spain?

If you’re a UK citizen who is legally resident in Spain, the rules are different.

Residents who hold a valid TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) are not subject to the Entry/Exit System when entering or leaving Spain. Instead, you should present:

• Your valid UK passport.
• Your valid Spanish TIE residence card.

The TIE proves your legal residence in Spain, so your journeys are not counted towards the 90-day Schengen visitor limit, and your entry and exit will not be recorded under the EES in the same way as short-term visitors.

It’s important to carry your TIE whenever you travel. If you only present your passport without your TIE, border officials may mistakenly treat you as a visitor, which could lead to unnecessary questions or your stay being incorrectly recorded.

Before travelling, always check that both your passport and TIE are valid and take your TIE with you whenever you leave or re-enter Spain.

Final thoughts

The introduction of the Entry/Exit System marks one of the biggest changes to European border controls in recent years, but for most British tourists visiting Spain, the impact will be minimal.

Your first journey may take a little longer while your details are registered, but after that, the system is expected to make future crossings smoother. As long as your passport is valid and you continue to follow the 90-day rule, travelling to Spain should remain as straightforward as ever.

If you’re planning a holiday to the Costa Blanca, Valencia or anywhere else in Spain, understanding how the EES works will help ensure a smooth start to your trip.