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Spain joins other EU countries adjusting new biometric border checks

By Molly Grace • Published: 22 Apr 2026 • 21:32 • 2 minutes read

Woman at a biometric boarder check

The main concern is the practical effect on journeys: Photo credit: Frame Stock Footage/Shutterstock

Spain has been named alongside other EU countries in reports that authorities are easing or adjusting new biometric border checks after UK travellers faced long queues, delays and missed flights during the early stages of the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) rollout.

The EES became operational across the Schengen area the beginning of this month and replaced manual passport stamping for non-EU travellers with a digital entry system using passport data, fingerprints and facial images. British passport holders travelling to Spain and other European destinations are among those affected.

Spain in focus for summer travel

Spain is one of the most popular overseas destinations for UK tourists, making any disruption at border control especially significant ahead of the summer holiday season. Airports including Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, Alicante and Palma de Mallorca receive large numbers of British passengers each year. Longer processing times at passport control can affect arrivals, onward transport and wider airport operations during peak periods.

Reports have suggested Spain is among countries using available flexibility measures or temporary adjustments to reduce delays linked to the new system. While the EES remains the official border framework, implementation can vary depending on operational pressures at individual airports.

Other countries named in reports

Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy and Portugal have also been cited in travel industry coverage as countries responding to delays caused by the new checks. In some cases, this has involved local adjustments, queue management measures or temporary operational changes rather than a full suspension of the biometric system itself.

Greece has received particular attention after reports that British travellers were temporarily exempted from biometric registration at certain entry points, instead receiving traditional passport stamps.

Why delays matter to passengers

For travellers, the main concern is the practical effect on journeys rather than the technology itself.

First-time registration under the system can take longer than a standard passport stamp, especially when several flights arrive at once. Families, large groups and passengers unfamiliar with the process may require more time, increasing queues.

Where delays build up, travellers risk missing onward transport, airport connections or pre-booked transfers. In some cases, reports have linked congestion to missed departures. Airlines and airport operators have advised passengers to allow additional time for border formalities during busy travel periods.

What UK tourists heading to Spain should expect

Passengers travelling to Spain should still expect passport checks under the EES framework unless local procedures are adjusted temporarily to manage congestion.

Travellers are advised to ensure passports are valid, follow airport instructions and allow extra time on arrival, particularly during weekends, school holidays and summer peak dates.

Those who have already completed biometric registration may find future journeys quicker than a first encounter with the system, although waiting times can still depend on staffing levels and passenger numbers.

Wider European picture

The inclusion of countries such as Spain, France, Italy, Germany and Portugal in recent reports highlights the challenge of introducing a new border system across multiple high-traffic destinations at the same time.

While each country manages its own border operations, all participating states are working within the same wider EU framework. That means local responses to delays may differ even though the system itself is shared.

Outlook for summer

With peak travel season approaching, attention is likely to remain on how Spain and other popular destinations handle passenger flows under the new rules.

For British tourists, the key issue is likely to be whether the checks add significant time to the journey. For authorities, the challenge will be balancing security requirements with efficient border processing during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

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Written by

Molly Grace

Molly is a British journalist and author who has lived in Spain for over 25 years. With a background in animal welfare, equestrian science, and veterinary nursing, she brings curiosity, humour, and a sharp investigative eye to her work. At Euro Weekly News, Molly explores the intersections of nature, culture, and community - drawing on her deep local knowledge and passion for stories that reflect life in Spain from the ground up.

Comments

    • John

      24 April 2026 • 08:00

      You can add Finland to that list as well. Landed there yesterday from Australia and all EES booths roped off and displaying ‘out of order’ messages. Stamped passports from usual immigration procedures wasn’t that quick either

    • Jackie

      24 April 2026 • 11:13

      I travelled to lanzarote yesterday. It wasnt the registration that delayed people it was the E gates which causes the problem. Need to remove them further away or get rid of them.

    • Jan Smith

      24 April 2026 • 14:35

      System not always recognising or able to record a person’s fingerprint. Certain medical history ?affects this.

    • Lorraine Stanton

      24 April 2026 • 17:22

      We had a problem arriving in Málaga end of February, days to invasive surgery 15 years ago my husband’s hand doesn’t have a proper finger print so we gave up after 3 attempts and used the normal gate for passports to be stamped, we just wonder what’s going to happen going forward, dies anyone else have this or a similar experience?

      • M stocks

        25 April 2026 • 09:24

        The gates can’t handle the number of people using the airport. It’s not rocket science. There needs to be a system where people can register biometrics before they travel. Why not stick a scanner in travel agents or chemists. I’d rather do this and pay a small fee than face constant delays at airports

        • Robert Smith

          25 April 2026 • 17:20

          Well said and it is a great idea but it will never take off. The whole system is about control of the people and the government want to be the one in control. The EU allow in millions of illegals without documentation but cause problems for people with money and passport and hotel bookings.

          • Julie

            29 April 2026 • 04:13

            I totally agree. It’s government control. Undocumented illegals have no problem getting into EU and non EU countries. They just make anyone who is already registered by means of passport etc have to be tracked at every opportunity.

    • Douglas Darroch

      25 April 2026 • 23:35

      Is it possible to go to court and try to get refunded for any financial out lay this new system is causing, like having to book new flights for one that’s been cancelled and overstays tha incurrs due to this incompetence, and who do we hold responsible, the European Union???

    • Victoria

      27 April 2026 • 08:46

      I travelled to & ftom in the last two weeks and didn’t encounter any delays eith this new system.

      What i would say is that there needs to be clearer signage in airports as to what you need to do, where to do it, how to and ensure all booths are available with plenty of staff on hand to help.

      Also why are there these delays if the system has been in place since October last year? Why aren’t countries prepared?

    • Danny

      28 April 2026 • 23:46

      I visit Mallorca every year and went through Palma airport at the end of Match in record time using EES. They had lots of machines and it was done in seconds. The test of course will be high season when flight schedules increase. The Iran war may reduce demand and allow for a softer ramp up in numbers.

      • Ken

        30 April 2026 • 12:51

        European courts allow all sorts of rules and regulations to be tested as can be seen in uk, A NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE would be a good terms of reference

      • Ken

        30 April 2026 • 13:00

        Had the same experience going to tenerife on 17th April as it was not so busy, have to say from reaching terminal by bus through ees and to baggage claim took no more than 2or 3 mins.
        The same leaving to Belfast flight on sat 25th April evening flight straight up to ees gate nobody there apart from 1 staff , no fingerprint scan required this time, just passport and eye recognition scan.

    • Ken

      30 April 2026 • 12:50

      European courts allow all sorts of rules and regulations to be tested as can be seen in uk, A NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE would be a good terms of reference

    Comments are closed.

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