Which Line Should British Passport Holders Queue In At Spain’s Airports?

With Brexit came confusion.

This was then compounded by the Coronavirus pandemic, which brought its own set of restrictions, adding further stress for travellers.

It’s safe to say that over the last few years, travel for British passport holders has become especially difficult.

More recently, travellers have still encountered long queues at airports, sometimes resulting in missed flights or holiday disruptions.

So why have there been so many queues?

Key reasons include a surge in demand for holidays following the lifting of Covid restrictions and ongoing staff shortages in the aviation industry, with many professionals having left during the pandemic. Additionally, new post-Brexit border procedures have contributed to delays.

Many travellers also wonder whether they can avoid long queues and fast-track themselves onto the plane—or which border control lane they are allowed to use.

So which lanes should you be using post-Brexit? EU or non-EU?

Which queue should I use at the airport?

Many people are unsure whether the queue they line up in is determined by where they live or the passport that they hold.

If you are a UK resident and just visiting Spain, you should use the non-EU lane.

If you are a British resident living in Spain, you may think that you can simply queue in the EU line, but this would be wrong. Your status as a resident in Spain makes no difference.

If you are a British passport holder, you are a British citizen and not an EU citizen. You should therefore be queuing in the non-EU line.

2025 Update: Automated Border Changes & E-Gates

Some Spanish airports are now rolling out e-gates for UK passport holders. However, even if you use an e-gate, you are still processed as a non-EU traveller and may be subject to manual checks, passport stamping, or secondary inspection.

The new Entry/Exit System (EES) is expected to replace manual stamps with biometric registration by late 2025 or 2026, but until then, most procedures remain manual and you should follow non-EU protocols at the border.

What about my TIE card - Surely the rules are different for me?

Unfortunately not. The TIE or old-style A4 residency certificates merely demonstrate that you have legal residency in Spain and can stay for more than 90 days at a time unlike those who are not residents.

Residency documents also do not provide you with citizenship. This is an entirely different process and one you can read more about via our Citizenship Spain page.

So the simple takeaway is, that if you hold a British passport, you should queue in the non-EU line.

Passport Stamps

There have been lots of stories recently in the news of British nationals not being permitted entry into Spain due to issues with passport stamps.

Tourists

If you are not resident in Spain and just visiting, you must have your passport stamped by border guards.

If the relevant exit stamps are not placed on your passport, you will have issues trying to enter Spain again as the authorities will believe that you have not complied with the 90-day visa-free rule.

Holidaymakers visiting Spain and the Schengen area can only stay for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period.

If you can provide proof to the border guards of where you entered and exited with relevant documents such as tickets and boarding passes, they should be fine with updating your passport and adding a stamp. If not, you may have issues entering the country.

2025 Update: Travel Insurance Proof May Be Requested

Spanish border officials may now ask non-EU tourists for proof of travel insurance with medical cover as part of their entry checks. It's wise to travel with a printed copy of your policy documentation.

When entering Spain, you may also have to show the following documents:-

• A return or onward ticket
• Show you have enough money for your stay
• Proof of accommodation or a Carta de Invitacion if you are staying with a friend or relative.
• Proof of address if you are visiting your own holiday accommodation.

British nationals resident in Spain

The passport stamping rules are different for British nationals resident in Spain.

If you are legally resident in Spain, you should NOT have your passport stamped.

Instead, you should provide proof that you are a resident and show a relevant document such as your TIE card or residency certificate.

Be sure to present BOTH your passport and your TIE (or valid green residency certificate) together at the border. Firmly request that your passport is not stamped if you are a resident—this protects your residency status and future travel rights.

If your passport is accidentally stamped, contact Spanish immigration authorities or your local extranjería office as soon as possible to correct your records.

Looking Ahead: ETIAS and Entry/Exit Changes

Travellers should be aware that new EU-wide measures like the Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) are coming in late 2025 or 2026. Tourists will eventually need to register biometrics and apply for pre-travel authorisation prior to entry. Until the rollout is complete, current passport and stamping procedures remain in force.

Want To Skip The Hassle At Spanish Airports?

If you're planning to stay in Spain longer than 90 days, you’ll need more than just the right passport queue — you’ll need the right health insurance too. Our Sanitas no-copayment plans are fully approved for visa and residency applications. Get covered fast and travel with peace of mind.