EU Delays Biometric Border Checks: What This Means for Travellers to Spain in 2026

Non-EU travellers heading to Spain have been given a bit of breathing space after the European Union pushed back the full rollout of its new biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) until September 2026.

The delay follows concerns that switching to biometric checks too quickly could create long queues and serious bottlenecks at airports during the peak holiday season. For now, border changes will arrive more gradually, rather than in one big bang.

What Is the EU Entry/Exit System?

The Entry/Exit System is an EU-wide border control database that will register non-EU citizens every time they cross an external Schengen border, including when they enter or leave Spain.

Instead of relying on manual passport stamps, EES will store a digital record of each trip, including:

• Your personal and passport details.
• The date, time and place where you entered or exited the EU.
• Biometric data such as a facial image and, in many cases, fingerprints.

Once EES is fully live, the system will automatically calculate how long you have stayed in the Schengen area and whether you have exceeded the 90 days allowed in any rolling 180-day period for short visits.

Why Has the Rollout Been Delayed?

The original plan was to introduce EES earlier, but trials at major European airports exposed a number of practical problems that needed to be fixed before a full launch.

Border authorities and airports reported that:

• First-time registration, including capturing biometric data, took longer than expected.
• Many passengers were unfamiliar with the new process and slowed down the line when using kiosks or approaching the booths.
• Some terminals lacked enough physical space for additional equipment and clearly separated lanes.

At times, this led to queues stretching far beyond the normal border area and raised concerns about both passenger experience and operational safety. With millions of travellers expected over the summer, governments and the travel industry argued that a rushed rollout risked widespread disruption.

By moving the target date to September 2026, the EU is giving airports, airlines and border forces extra time to install equipment, refine passenger flows and train staff before the system becomes mandatory.

What Travellers Can Expect at Spanish Borders in 2026

For travellers heading to Spain in 2026, the key point is that the move to full biometric border checks will be phased in, not switched on overnight.

Depending on where and when you travel, you may encounter:

• Traditional passport control only, with manual checks and stamps, especially at less busy times or at smaller airports.
• Hybrid arrangements, where self-service kiosks are used to collect some data before you see a border officer at the booth.
• Occasional testing of EES components on certain flights or during quieter periods as airports prepare for full deployment.

Because procedures can vary between airports, the safest approach is to allow a little more time for border control than you might have done in the past, particularly during school holidays and peak travel weekends. Keeping your passport ready and removing hats or sunglasses before you reach the booth will also help speed things along.

Impact on ETIAS: No New Travel Authorisation Yet

The delay to EES also pushes back the launch of ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. ETIAS will eventually require many visa-exempt travellers to obtain an online travel authorisation, similar in concept to the US ESTA, before entering the Schengen area.

Because ETIAS will rely on data from EES to help verify entries and exits, it cannot start until the biometric system is fully in place across participating countries. With EES postponed, ETIAS is now expected to begin later than originally planned, and not before EES is running smoothly.

Until ETIAS goes live, travellers from visa-exempt countries can continue to visit Spain using just their passport, provided they respect the existing stay limits.

How the Changes Affect Frequent Travellers and Expats

For people who travel in and out of Spain several times a year, including second-home owners and long-stay visitors, EES and ETIAS will eventually make border movements more transparent.

Once both systems are operational, the days of relying on inconsistent stamping or blurred records of stays will be over. Each entry and exit will be logged, and it will be easier for authorities to detect overstays or patterns of travel that do not match the rules of a particular visa or status.

In the short term, though, the delay mainly means continuity. Regular visitors will continue to experience familiar passport checks through 2026, with infrastructure gradually appearing in the background rather than sudden, dramatic changes at the border.

Practical Tips If You Are Travelling to Spain in 2026

While the new systems are still being rolled out, a few simple habits can make your journey smoother:

• Arrive a bit earlier for flights during busy periods, especially at major hubs and during peak holiday months.
• Keep travel documents easily accessible and ready for inspection at border control.
• Build in extra time if you are making tight connections through another EU airport on your way to Spain.
• Keep an eye on official updates from your airline, airport and government sources before you travel.

Travelling to Spain Regularly? Think Beyond Border Checks

If you visit Spain frequently or stay for long periods each year, the tightening of digital border controls is a reminder to make sure the rest of your arrangements are in order as well.

That includes understanding which visa or residency route best fits your situation, keeping your stay within the correct limits and making sure you have reliable access to healthcare while you are in Spain.

Private health insurance is already a requirement for many long-stay visas and residency permits, and it also gives regular visitors peace of mind that they can access doctors, clinics and hospitals quickly if something happens while they are away from home.

If you are planning to spend more time in Spain and want to make sure your healthcare cover is in place before border rules tighten further, it is worth reviewing your options now rather than waiting until EES and ETIAS are fully active.