EES – Entry/Exit System at Palma Airport
New border control procedures are being introduced for nationals from non-EU/non-Schengen countries.
The EES is due to be phased in from the 12th of October 2025. It will be fully in force by the 10th of April 2026.
What is the EES?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new computerised system designed to monitor the external borders of the Schengen Area. It keeps track of entries and exits of non-EU nationals who come to visit Mallorca and other EU regions for a short period of time.
Each time you cross a participating border, your passport details and biometric information (such as facial image and fingerprints) will be recorded electronically. This will replace manual passport stamping for travellers from non-EU countries like the UK and many others.
What is the purpose of the EES?
The EES is mainly designed to save time and improve border security. It automates passport checks, identifies travellers who overstay, and helps detect fraudulent documents. It will also support authorities in preventing and investigating terrorism and other serious crimes.
When will the EES come into force?
The start date has already been postponed several times. According to the latest official information, the system is expected to launch on the 12th of October 2025.
It will be introduced gradually until 9 April 2026, meaning that passengers’ biometric data and personal information may not be collected at every border crossing straight away. In the meantime, passports will continue to be stamped as usual. The EES will be fully operational by 10 April 2026.
Who does the Entry/Exit System apply to?
The EES applies to non-EU nationals travelling to Mallorca (and other areas within the EU) for a short stay. This includes visa-exempt non-EU nationals (such as citizens of the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia) and those who hold a short-stay visa. It does not apply to EU citizens, residents of Schengen countries, or people with long-stay visas.
What information does the EES collect?
The EES gathers and stores:
- Details from your travel document (e.g. full name, nationality, date of birth, passport number).
- The date, time, and location of your entry and exit.
- Your facial image and fingerprints (“biometric data”).
- Any record of refused entry, where applicable.
Children under 12 will not be required to provide fingerprints. Data is stored securely and automatically updated each time you cross a Schengen border.
What will change once the EES has gone live?
Automated checks at border control
Border control booths will be equipped with biometric systems, such as fingerprint and facial recognition scanners. You will be asked to provide your fingerprints and allow a facial scan during the entry or exit process.
Digital entry/exit records
Instead of relying on traditional passport stamps, the EES will electronically log the time and location of your entry and exit, creating an accurate record of your movements within the Schengen Area.
Waiting times at border control
During the initial phase, there may be longer waiting times as travellers and border staff adjust to the new system. However, once registered, future crossings will be quicker because your biometric data will already be stored.
FAQ
Do I need to apply in advance to enter the EU once the EES has been launched?
No — the EES does not require travellers to register in advance. Your details will be recorded automatically the first time you enter the EU after the system goes live.
Once ETIAS becomes active in 2026, UK citizens and other visa-exempt travellers will need to apply online for travel authorisation before entering the Schengen Area. See our ETIAS information page for more details.
Will I have to pay a fee when I cross the border?
There is no cost for travellers when entering or leaving the EU under the EES.
However, once the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is introduced in 2026, UK and other visa-exempt travellers will need to apply online before their trip and pay a small processing fee. ETIAS is a separate system from the EES.
Will my passport still be stamped?
During the early rollout of the EES, manual passport stamping may continue alongside the new digital process.
Once the system is fully in place across all Schengen countries, passport stamps will be phased out, as all entry and exit data will be logged automatically.
Does the EES replace ETIAS?
No. The EES and ETIAS are two different systems that will work alongside each other:
- The EES records when and where you enter and exit the Schengen Area.
- ETIAS will be a pre-travel authorisation system for visitors from visa-exempt countries (like the UK), similar to the ESTA system used by the United States.
What if I get a new passport after registering with EES?
If you renew your passport, your details will need to be updated in the system. Border officers can link your new document to your existing EES record, usually by verifying your biometrics (face or fingerprints).
Which countries are included in the EES?
The EES covers all Schengen Area countries. It also includes non-EU members of the Schengen Area, such as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
| Austria | Greece | Norway |
| Belgium | Hungary | Poland |
| Bulgaria | Iceland | Portugal |
| Croatia | Italy | Romania |
| Czech Republic | Latvia | Slovakia |
| Denmark | Liechtenstein | Slovenia |
| Estonia | Lithuania | Spain |
| Finland | Luxembourg | Sweden |
| France | Malta | Switzerland |
| Germany | Netherlands |
Ireland is not part of the Schengen Zone and will not use the EES.
Definition of a “short stay”
How long is a short stay?
People from countries outside the EU who don’t need a visa can visit Mallorca (and other EU countries using the EES) for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This limit applies across all Schengen countries combined, not per country.
How can you find out how much longer you are allowed to stay?
You can check your remaining stay in several ways:
- By using an online calculator on the official EES website.
- Via the EES equipment installed at passport control.
- By asking a border officer at your point of entry.
What to do if you want to visit again, but have used up your 90 days
You can:
- Wait until 180 days have passed since your first entry before travelling again, or
- Apply for a visa in advance if you need to return sooner.
What happens if you stay longer than allowed?
If you overstay, the EES will automatically detect it. You could face legal consequences such as fines, deportation, or future entry bans depending on the country’s laws.
Exceptions may apply in emergencies (e.g. hospitalisation). In such cases, credible proof must be provided to immigration authorities so your records can be corrected.
The EES in a Nutshell
Where can I get further information?
You can find more detailed information on the official EES website. Once the system is live, the website will also allow you to check how long you are allowed to stay in Mallorca / Spain or any other country using the EES.