Under new EU regulations, most British travellers entering Spain and the Schengen area will be required to scan their passport, have their photo taken, and provide four fingerprint scans under the Entry/Exit System (EES). However, certain holidaymakers are exempt from the fingerprinting requirement.
Who Is Exempt from Fingerprint Scans?
The UK Government has confirmed that all children under 12 will not be fingerprinted. However, under the new EU rules, all travellers, including babies, must still be photographed and have digital records created.
Additionally, British holidaymakers travelling on a non-UK passport may be exempt. For example, those holding an Irish passport will not be required to use the EES scheme.
How Many UK Residents Hold Irish Passports?
According to recent estimates, more than a third of a million UK residents hold both UK and Irish passports, a figure that has risen sharply since Brexit. These dual passport holders can avoid fingerprinting when entering the Schengen area.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) Explained
Under the new regulations, those travelling on a UK passport are permitted to visit the Schengen area for no more than 90 days within any 180-day period. Once registered via the EES, the digital record remains valid for three years or until the passport expires, whichever occurs first.
Schengen Area Countries
The Schengen area comprises 29 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Millions of Brits are expected to head to Spain this summer, and understanding these exemptions can help streamline their travel experience.
