Are you planning to travel to Europe soon? If you’re a non-EU citizen, whether you’re visiting for business, tourism, or a short stay, a new digital system is changing the way you cross European borders. Say goodbye to manual passport stamps and hello to the Entry/Exit System (EES): the EU’s latest step towards smarter, more secure, and faster border management.

Starting October 12, 2025, the EES began its phased rollout across Europe, transforming how third-country nationals enter and exit the Schengen Area. This new system aims to streamline border crossings, enhance security, and modernize travel procedures, all through electronic registration and biometric verification.

Let’s dive into everything you need to know about EES, its implementation in Spain, and how it differs from ETIAS.

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1. What Is the Entry/Exit System (EES)?

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an EU-wide digital platform designed to electronically record the time and place of entry and exit of non-EU citizens. It automatically calculates the duration of their authorized stay within the Schengen Area and also registers refusals of entry.

The main goal is to enhance border security, improve accuracy, and replace the outdated passport-stamping process with a modern, reliable electronic record.

In essence, the EES marks a big step toward smarter borders, using biometric data like facial images and fingerprints to ensure seamless and secure travel while reducing errors and fraud.

2. Who Does EES Apply To?

The EES applies to third-country nationals traveling to the Schengen Area for a short stay, that is, up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This includes:

• Travellers who require a short-stay visa

• Visa-exempt travellers (those who can enter the Schengen Area without a visa for tourist purposes, such as UK and US citizens)

So, whether you’re entering on a business trip, a holiday, or a family visit, if you’re not an EU/EEA/Swiss national, your border crossings will now be recorded electronically.

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3. Who Is Exempt from EES Registration?

Not everyone is covered under EES. Certain categories are exempt from registration, including:

• EU/EEA/Swiss nationals

• Holders of residence permits or long-stay visas

• Family members of EU citizens (or of third-country nationals with free movement rights), provided they hold a residence card

• Nationals of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and passport holders from Vatican City/Holy See

• Persons on intra-corporate transfers, researchers, students, trainees, or volunteers exercising mobility rights

• Individuals exempt from border checks, such as accredited diplomats, local border traffic permit holders, or crew members of international trains, flights, or ships

If you belong to any of these groups, EES won’t change your border crossing procedures.

4. When Does the EES Come into Effect?

The EES officially launched on October 12, 2025, across select EU entry points.

However, it’s being rolled out progressively over a 180-day period, with full implementation expected by April 10, 2026.

During this period, travellers may still experience manual passport stamping as part of the transition phase. Once fully operational, EES will completely replace passport stamps for short-stay travellers.

5. Does EES Replace Passport Stamps?

Yes, that’s one of its main purposes!

The EES eliminates the need for manual passport stamping, a process long considered time-consuming and unreliable for tracking travel histories. Instead, all entries and exits will be recorded automatically and electronically.

Note: Between October 2025 and April 2026, border authorities will continue stamping passports as required under Article 4 of EU Regulation 2025/1534, while the new system becomes fully operational.

6. Progressive Application in Spanish Airports

Spain is one of the first EU countries to roll out the EES across major airports. Here’s the timeline for implementation:

• Madrid-Barajas-Adolfo Suárez Airport: First Spanish airport to activate EES during the initial launch weekend (October 2025).

• Sevilla, Tenerife North, and Burgos: Joined the system shortly after Madrid.

• Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport: Went live during the week starting October 20, 2025.

• Alicante-Elche and Barcelona-El Prat Airports: Scheduled to go live from October 27, 2025.

• Palma de Mallorca Airport: Expected to join around November 19, 2025.

This staggered rollout ensures smoother implementation and traveller adaptation, minimizing disruption during the transition.

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7. Key Differences Between EES and ETIAS

While both EES and ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) are part of the EU’s border modernization strategy, they serve very different purposes.

The EES focuses on recording border movements. It electronically registers the time and place of entry and exit for all third-country nationals, whether they need a visa or not, when traveling for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Its main function is to replace the manual stamping of passports with a biometric and digital registration system, which enhances security and ensures accurate tracking of travellers’ stays.

On the other hand, ETIAS acts as a pre-travel authorization for visa-exempt travellers. Before entering the Schengen Area, these travellers must apply online for approval, similar to the U.S. ESTA system. ETIAS collects personal and travel document information, as well as background details such as criminal history or travel risks, but it does not record biometric data like fingerprints or facial images.

The EES began its gradual rollout in October 2025, aiming for full implementation by April 2026, whereas ETIAS is expected to follow later, around the end of 2026.

Think of it this way:

• EES = border crossing record system

• ETIAS = pre-travel authorisation requirement

The two systems complement each other: EES improving the accuracy and efficiency of border checks, and ETIAS strengthening pre-arrival security. Together, they’re designed to make Schengen borders more secure, efficient, and digital.

8. Final Thoughts: The Future of EU Border Control

The Entry/Exit System marks a historic shift in how Europe manages its borders. For travellers, it means fewer manual processes and a more reliable system for tracking short stays. For authorities, it means improved accuracy, reduced overstays, and enhanced security.

If you’re planning a trip to Spain or any Schengen country after October 2025, it’s essential to understand how the EES affects your travel experience, especially during its progressive rollout period.

Soon, crossing borders in Europe will be faster, smarter, and more secure thanks to the digital transformation brought by EES and, soon after, ETIAS.

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While the requirements for obtaining a visa for Spain are straightforward, preparing the necessary documents and navigating the application process can be challenging. Mistakes or incomplete paperwork could put your application at risk.

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