EES at Palma Airport: A One-Month Progress Update for Travellers
Tuesday, May 5th, 2026
It has now been just over four weeks since the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) became fully operational. For many regular visitors to Mallorca from the UK and other non-Schengen countries, this marks the most significant change to border crossings in recent years.
Quick recap: What is the EES, and how does it work?
The EES is an automated IT system created to register travellers from non-EU countries. Instead of the traditional manual passport stamping, the system now captures digital data.
When you arrive at or depart from Palma Airport, you will be required to:
- Provide a facial scan: A high-resolution digital photo.
- Provide fingerprints: A digital scan of four fingerprints from your right hand.
Because this registration process, particularly for first-time users, takes longer than a simple stamp, it can lead to queues. While these new biometric checks are designed to enhance security, they are currently increasing processing times at border control. This situation should ease once more people are registered. The system will store your biometric data for 3 years, so the process will be quicker for subsequent entries.
The situation at Palma Airport
In the month since implementation, Palma Airport has experienced some periods of congestion at passport control. While airport authorities are working hard to manage the flow, the additional time required for biometric registration has resulted in noticeable delays during peak arrival and departure windows.
To help manage the large volume of British visitors, Palma has introduced dedicated UK-only lanes. These lanes are designed to streamline the process for one of the largest passenger groups, though they remain subject to the same EES registration requirements.
How Spain’s approach differs from other destinations
Some other popular Mediterranean destinations, including Greece, Portugal, and Italy, have moved to temporarily suspend or “soften” the EES requirements for certain travellers to avoid total gridlock.
To date, Spain has not followed suit. The Spanish government remains committed to the full implementation of the system. However, they are not ignoring the challenges. New operational instructions issued to frontline staff allow for “adjustments” rather than a full suspension. For example, if waiting times in biometric queues exceed 25 minutes, officers may temporarily divert families and passengers with reduced mobility to traditional manual stamping queues.
Additionally, airport authorities are working with slot management teams to stagger flight arrivals where possible, aiming to prevent too many passengers hitting border control at the exact same moment.
Advice for travellers
While airport staff are doing their best to ease the transition, the responsibility for a smooth journey also rests on being well-prepared. Here are some top tips for your next trip:
- Arrive early: For your departure from Palma Airport, you may wish to arrive at the airport earlier than you normally would to allow for extra time in case of longer-than-usual waiting times at border control.
- Be prepared: Have your travel documents ready and be patient during the registration process.
- Peak timing: If you have the flexibility, consider booking flights during quieter times of the week to avoid the busiest Saturday and Sunday “changeover” periods.
- Follow airline guidance: Keep a close eye on any communications from your airline regarding specific check-in and arrival times.
Looking ahead
The current measures implemented by the Spanish authorities are intended to act as a pressure valve. However, if these adjustments prove insufficient to manage congestion during the busy summer season, the Spanish government may find itself under increasing pressure from the tourism industry to follow the example of Greece and Portugal by temporarily suspending the system.
For now, biometric capture remains mandatory for all first-time registrants. By planning ahead and allowing for some extra time, you can ensure that your holiday in Mallorca gets off to the best possible start.
