EES – Entry/Exit System at Palma Airport
New border control procedures are being introduced for nationals from non-EU/non-Schengen countries. Please note, that these are not yet operational.
The EES in a Nutshell
The EES in Detail
What is the EES?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a computerised system that will be installed 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.
When will the EES come into force?
While the system was intended to go live on the 10th of November 2024, this date has now been pushed back again, following several previous delays. A new start date has yet to be announced.
Who does the Entry/Exit System apply to?
The EES will be used for non-EU nationals travelling to Mallorca (and other areas within the EU) for a short stay. This includes visa-exempt non-EU nationals (e.g. people from the UK, US and many more countries) and those who have a short-stay visa.
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. This means 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 of implementation, there may be longer waiting times at border control as travellers and border staff adapt to the new system. However, the system is expected to save time and speed up the process in the long term.
Do I need to apply in advance to enter the EU once the EES has been launched?
If you are a non-EU national who can visit the EU for short stays visa-free (e.g. citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia and many more), you do not need to apply in advance to enter the EU under the EES itself.
However, this is due to change in 2025, when the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to come into effect. ETIAS will require non-EU travellers (including UK citizens) to apply online for travel authorisation before entering the Schengen Area. See here for more information about ETIAS.
What information does the EES collect?
The EES gathers and keeps track of:
- Details from your travel document, like your full name and date of birth.
- When and where you enter and leave a European country that uses the EES.
- Your facial image and fingerprints, which are called ‘biometric data’.
- If someone is denied entry, that information is also logged in the system.
What is the purpose of the EES?
The EES is mainly about saving time. Instead of stamping passports and doing border checks manually, the EES does it all automatically. In addition, the system will increase border security as it aids in identifying fake IDs or passports. It can easily spot people who shouldn’t be entering or who have stayed too long. Plus, it will help to stop and catch terrorists and other serious criminals.
Definition of a “short stay”
How long is a short stay?
People from countries outside the European Union (EU) who don’t need a visa can visit Mallorca (and other EU places) for up to 90 days in every 180 days. It’s crucial to know that this 90-day limit applies across all EU countries that use the EES, meaning you can’t spend more than 90 days in total within any 180-day period across all these places.
How can you find out how much longer you are allowed to stay in Mallorca / the EU?
There will be several ways to find this out:
- You can check the number of days that you are still allowed to stay via an online tool, which will be available on the official EES website.
- Via the EES equipment that will be installed at passport control.
- By asking an officer at passport control.
What to do if you want to visit again but have already used up your 90-day allowance?
You have two options:
- Wait until 180 days have passed since you first travelled to Mallorca (or another EU county). After that, you can visit again because your short-stay allowance will renew.
- Apply for a visa (this will need to be done before travelling).
What happens if you stay longer than allowed?
If you stay too long in European countries that use the EES, including Spain and Mallorca, the system will notice and keep a record of it. Usually, if you’re caught overstaying, there could be consequences under the law of that country. For example, you might be told to leave, fined, or even put in detention. You might also have trouble coming back to the EU later on.
However, there might be exceptions to this rule due to some unforeseeable circumstances, e.g. if you were in hospital due to serious injury or illness. In such a case, you will need to provide credible evidence to border- or immigration authorities, so that your records can be amended.
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 are allowed to stay in Mallorca / Spain or any other country using the EES.