Spain-Greece Travel Rule Changes
British tourists heading to Spain, Greece, or Portugal face new border control systems rolling out at all entry points this summer. The Entry/Exit System (EES) will require biometric registration and could cause major delays at borders. UK holidaymakers should plan extra time for border crossings as the system launches.
The new Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated IT system that will register short-stay travelers from non-EU countries, including the UK, each time they cross an external border of the 29 participating European countries. The system is designed to modernize border management, increase security, and systematically identify travelers who overstay their authorized stay of 90 days within a 180-day period. Instead of manual passport stamping, the EES will electronically record a traveler's name, travel document details, and biometric data, which includes both fingerprints and a facial image. This digital registration is intended to be faster and more reliable than the current process and will help to combat identity fraud. The collected biometric data will be valid for three years, meaning frequent travelers will only need to provide a fingerprint or photo on subsequent visits during that period. The rollout of the EES is scheduled to be gradual, starting from October 12, 2025, with full implementation expected by April 10, 2026. During this transition period, manual passport stamping may continue alongside the new digital registration. This system is separate from the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which is a pre-travel authorization for visa-exempt travelers, similar to the US ESTA. ETIAS is expected to become operational in mid-2026 and will require travelers to apply online and pay a fee before their departure.
