several countries are managing implementation differently in response to congestion at airports and ferry terminals during peak travel periods. Photo credit: shulers/Shutterstock
British tourists travelling to Spain and across the Schengen area will encounter different levels of implementation of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) as the rollout continues this summer. While the system applies across participating countries, some states are adjusting how strictly biometric checks are applied at busy border points.
The EES requires non-EU nationals, including UK passport holders, to register biometric data such as fingerprints and facial images when entering the Schengen area for short stays. The system is being introduced in phases and replaces traditional passport stamping at many external borders. Although the rules are set at EU level, several countries are managing implementation differently in response to congestion at airports and ferry terminals during peak travel periods.
Greece adjusts biometric checks for British travellers
Greece is currently not applying EES biometric registration to British passport holders at its borders. Instead, UK arrivals are being processed using manual passport stamping.
This change has been introduced at entry points where congestion has been reported during the early stages of the system’s rollout. Greek authorities have described the adjustment as a practical response to managing passenger flow rather than a change to EU policy. The EES remains part of the wider Schengen border system in Greece for other non-EU travellers.
Portugal continues standard EES processing
Portugal has confirmed that it is applying the EES as required under EU rules, meaning British travellers are subject to biometric registration on arrival. No exemption or suspension has been introduced at national level. Processing includes the collection of fingerprints and facial images at external borders.
Portuguese authorities have not announced changes to standard procedures, although airport operators have been monitoring passenger queues during peak travel periods.
Italy maintains full biometric registration
Italy follows suit with Portugal and is also operating the EES in line with EU requirements.
UK nationals entering the country must complete biometric registration at external borders. This applies at airports, ports and land crossings where the system is active. No national exemption has been announced. Border procedures remain aligned with the EU-wide rollout timetable.
Spain applies EES but raises concerns over delays
Spain is operating the EES at external borders, including major airports and ferry terminals. British travellers entering Spain for the first time under the system are required to provide fingerprints and a facial image. These details are stored for future crossings, reducing the need for repeat registration.
Regional authorities, including representatives in island destinations, have raised concerns about potential delays during peak summer travel periods. However, no national suspension or exemption has been introduced. British residents in Spain with valid residency permits such as a TIE card are not processed as short-stay visitors when presenting their documentation and are not required to register under visitor rules.
France applies EES with operational flexibility
France is implementing the EES at its external borders, including airports, ports and rail terminals. While the system is in place, border authorities may adjust processing during periods of high passenger volume to manage queues. No national exemption for British travellers has been announced. The system remains active across French entry points for non-EU nationals.
Other Schengen countries follow standard rules
Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland are applying the EES in line with EU requirements.
All non-EU travellers, including UK passport holders, are required to complete biometric registration when entering the Schengen area for short stays. Operational adjustments may occur at individual border points to manage congestion, but these do not change the underlying requirement to collect biometric data.
Ireland and Cyprus excluded from the system
Ireland and Cyprus are not part of the Schengen Area and do not participate in the Entry/Exit System.
Travellers entering these countries continue to use existing passport control procedures without EES biometric registration.
What British travellers should expect
The European Commission has confirmed that the EES applies uniformly across participating Schengen countries for non-EU travellers. While all states must register biometric data under the system, implementation can vary during the early rollout phase depending on passenger numbers and airport capacity.
British travellers should expect longer processing times at some borders, particularly at the first entry into the Schengen area under the new system. Once registered, biometric data is stored and linked to the traveller’s passport for future visits, reducing repeat processing.
Guidance for Spanish residents and UK visitors
British residents living in Spain should carry valid residency documents such as a TIE card when travelling. This determines whether they are treated as short-stay visitors or residents at border control.
UK passport holders without residency status will be required to complete biometric registration on entry and exit under the EES rules. Travellers are advised to allow additional time at airports during peak periods, as processing times vary depending on location and passenger volume.
Wider rollout context
The EES is an EU system that records entry and exit using digital data and is designed to replace manual passport stamping with digital records of entry and exit. The system is being introduced across Schengen states in phases, with full operational deployment expected during 2026.
During the transition period, border procedures may differ between countries and individual airports, particularly where passenger numbers are high. Travellers are advised to check requirements before departure, as local implementation can change depending on operational conditions at border points.
