British holidaymakers heading to Spain are being warned of significant delays and potential travel disruption as the European Union prepares to implement its new high-tech border control system this autumn.
The Entry/Exit System (EES), scheduled to launch in October 2024, will require all non-EU citizens including British travellers to undergo biometric registration featuring fingerprint scans and facial photographs upon arrival at Spanish airports.
What the EES System Means for UK Travellers
The automated EES represents a major shift in how British passport holders will be processed when visiting EU countries. Unlike current passport stamping procedures, the new system will capture:
- Four fingerprints from each traveller
- Facial recognition data
- Passport information
- Entry and exit dates
This biometric data will be stored for three years, creating a digital record of non-EU citizens' movements across the Schengen Area.
Potential Airport Chaos Ahead
Industry experts are sounding alarm bells about the system's implementation. The European Travel Agents' and Tour Operators' Associations has warned that processing times could triple from the current one minute to over three minutes per passenger.
Madrid's Barajas Airport, one of Spain's busiest hubs for UK travellers, is expected to be particularly affected. The Spanish government has acknowledged the challenge, with Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu admitting the system will create "bottlenecks" unless properly managed.
Pre-Travel Registration Recommended
To mitigate potential delays, travellers are being advised to pre-register their details where possible. The Spanish government is developing an app that would allow visitors to upload necessary information before their journey, though this may not be available when the system first launches.
The EES forms part of the EU's broader Smart Borders initiative, designed to enhance security and monitor migration patterns following Brexit. A separate Electronic Travel Information and Authorisation (ETIAS) system, similar to the US ESTA programme, is expected to follow in 2025.
With Spain remaining one of the most popular holiday destinations for British tourists, travel industry representatives are urging both governments to ensure adequate resources and staff training to prevent holiday chaos during peak travel periods.
