Palma Airport EES Update: Strict Biometric Checks Enforced from the 6th of September
Friday, September 4th, 2026
Travelling through Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) as a non-EU citizen? Important updates to border control procedures are coming into effect this September.
After an initial transition period, the European Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational across EU borders, including Palma de Mallorca Airport, since April 2026. To manage peak holiday traffic during the initial transition phase, EU border regulations permitted airports and other border control posts to temporarily suspend biometric registration when queue lengths reached critical levels.
However, this temporary flexibility is coming to an end. From 6 September 2026, these optional EES suspensions will expire, meaning every non-EU national entering or leaving the Schengen zone via Palma Airport must undergo complete biometric validation at the designated kiosks.
Increased Police Presence and Shorter Wait Times
To prepare for strict compliance with EES rules and to cope with heightened demand during peak summer travel, border control authorities at Palma de Mallorca Airport boosted National Police personnel by around 50% in early August. This significant increase in staffing successfully reduced average passport control waiting times to around 30 minutes, even during busy summer travel periods.
Aena Steps Up Support to Prevent Passport Control Bottlenecks
To ensure wait times remain manageable after the 6 September deadline, airport operator Aena is rolling out comprehensive ground support to assist border officers and keep queues moving efficiently.
Aena has opened a tender for a dedicated support service providing over 10,500 hours of passenger assistance over the next three months. This service is designed to adapt flexibly to flight schedules, with airlines providing advance notice each week so shift patterns can be aligned with incoming and outgoing non-EU flights.
Key measures being implemented include:
- Dedicated passenger guidance: Support teams will be stationed across both arrivals and departures to assist travellers with using the automated gates and digital registration kiosks.
- Streamlined queue management: Staff will manage passenger flow, improve signposting, and ensure orderly lining up in non-EU passport control zones.
- On-the-ground coordination: The team will work alongside the National Police, quickly reporting any operational issues to maintain both security and passenger throughput.
While the National Police remain solely responsible for conducting official border checks, this supplementary workforce will play a crucial role in preventing terminal congestion during peak hours. Aena’s long-term plan includes transitioning to a centralised support contract to maintain smooth operations as travellers adjust to the new automated procedures.
Top Tips for Non-EU Travellers Flying Through Palma
If you are a non-EU passport holder (including UK citizens) travelling through Palma de Mallorca Airport after 6 September 2026, keep these tips in mind:
- Allow extra time: Although support staff and additional police will be on duty, allow plenty of time to clear passport control, especially during peak travel hours.
- Have documents ready: Keep your passport and travel documents easily accessible before approaching the EES kiosks.
- Follow on-site directions: Pay attention to airport signage and staff instructions to ensure you enter the correct queue for automated kiosk registration.
