Spain has continued rolling out the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), with Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska confirming a smooth launch and no disruptions reported.
The system, which aims to tighten and streamline the EU’s external border controls, went live in Madrid on Sunday and is now operational in several airports – including Sevilla Airport in Andalucia.
Grande-Marlaska, speaking from Luxembourg where he’s attending the EU Council of Interior Ministers, praised the system’s performance during the initial rollout.
‘The system proved stable and efficient throughout the phased connection period, with no delays and even faster processing times than usual,’ he said.
The Entry/Exit System officially came into force across the EU on October 12 and is being deployed gradually.
Spain became the third EU country to successfully initiate operations.
At Madrid-Barajas Airport, where the system was first trialled from 6am to 10am on Sunday, 1,833 passengers were registered using EES.
These travellers came from countries including Canada, the United States, China, Argentina, Morocco and the UK.
On Tuesday, the EES extended to Sevilla, Tenerife North, and Burgos airports.
The phased rollout will continue in the coming weeks, with full implementation across the EU expected by April 10, 2026.
What is the EES?
The Entry/Exit System is a high-tech EU initiative designed to replace manual passport stamping for non-EU nationals entering or leaving the Schengen Area.
It registers biometric data, entry and exit times, and flags potential overstays, aiming to enhance both border security and processing efficiency.
Developed by eu-LISA, the EU agency responsible for large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security, and justice, EES is part of the EU’s broader strategy to digitise border control and migration management.
As the EES expands across Spanish airports, travellers from outside the EU, including UK nationals, can expect faster, more automated border checks, but also stricter monitoring of their time spent within the EU.
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