EES – Entry/Exit System at Palma Airport
New border control procedures are being introduced for nationals from non-EU/non-Schengen countries.
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.
When you cross a participating border, your passport details and biometric information (such as facial image and fingerprints) will be recorded electronically. This replaces 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 also supports authorities in preventing and investigating terrorism and other serious crimes.
When did the EES come into force?
After having been postponed several times, the EES was officially launched across Europe on the 12th of October 2025. The system was being introduced gradually, and the Schengen countries had until April 2026 to roll it out fully.
Palma Airport started operating the EES terminals on 19th of November 2025.
During the first six months, the use of the terminals was phased in. While some passengers were channelled via the new terminals, others were processed manually, as before. In the meantime, passports continued to be stamped as usual. The phased introduction ended on the 10th of April 2026, and the EES is now fully operational.
Read more about this here:
➪The New Digital Border: The End of the EES Transition Period
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 has changed with the implementation of the EES?
Automated checks at border control
Border control booths are now 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 electronically logs 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 now that the EES has been launched?
No. The EES does not require travellers to register in advance; the process happens at the border. Your details will be recorded automatically when you enter the EU.
However, once ETIAS becomes active towards the end of 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.
This will change with the introduction of ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) later 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 continued alongside the new digital process.
With the system now fully in place across all Schengen countries, passport stamps were 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 or the ETA required for visitors to the UK.
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.