British residents with a TIE card should be permitted to join passport queues for EU nationals at airports, it has been confirmed.
At least, that is according to the Policia Nacional in Malaga, speaking to the Spanish Eye today about the new Entry/Exit System (EES).
The force said British residents in Spain ‘should be aware’ of what queue to join to avoid ‘confusion or disruption’ with airport management staff.
The comments come just days after the Policia Nacional in Alicante told this newspaper that ‘no one is exempt’ from the EES, including British residents carrying TIE cards.
Adding to the confusion, a spokesperson from Spain’s Interior Ministry told the Spanish Eye today: ‘British citizens must use the Entry-Exit System intended for third countries.
‘If you have a TIE (Foreigner Identity Card)… the 90-day maximum stay period applicable to citizens entering with visas will not apply.’
Under EES, anyone from a non-Schengen or ‘third country’ – including the UK – must use biometric scanners, which keep track of the number of days they have spent in the EU (ensuring they don’t exceed their 90 in 180 day limit).
As the system has just begun, Brits are using the machines for the first time, and are having to register their fingerprints and face scans, leading to delays when they are up and running at peak times.
However, many passengers claim that a lack of staff during the busiest hours is adding to the episodes of chaos.
For British residents in Spain, the messaging has been even more confusing, as it has not been made crystal clear whether they need to use the EES queues.
However, Malaga’s Policia Nacional told the Spanish Eye today that they can, in fact, queue with EU nationals, avoiding the process altogether.
A spokesperson said: ‘UK citizens with a Residence Permit and therefore a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) can use the queues designated for EU citizens.
‘However, these queues are managed by AENA (Spanish Airports and Air Navigation) staff, not the National Police, which could lead to confusion or disruption.
‘UK passengers meeting the aforementioned conditions should be aware of this in order to proceed to the correct queue and avoid procedures that could generate errors in the European Entry/Exit System, which, as you may know, began operating at Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport on October 20, 2025.’
They added: ‘Officials at the aforementioned airport have confirmed that they have contacted the various consulates to provide them with information regarding the updates to the Entry and Exit System (EES).’
The Spanish Eye contacted the British Embassy for comment on the issue earlier this week.
A spokesperson previously said: ‘In most cases, UK nationals should use the “all passports” lanes or “visa not required/residents” lanes, where these exist.
‘However, the process for passport lanes can differ depending on the border crossing. UK nationals should follow instructions given by airport and border staff.’
They added: ‘We are not aware of a blanket policy regarding lanes for TIE holders.’
Regarding queues, they said: ‘Passengers should confirm check-in opening times with their airline before they travel and should allow extra time on both arrival into and departure out of Spain at peak times.’
The Spanish Eye has contacted the embassy for an updated comment.
