EES Guidance for UK Nationals Visiting Spain

From 12 October 2025, the European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin. This is a new digital border system that will change requirements for British citizens travelling to the Schengen area.

The countries in the Schengen area are:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

The Republic of Ireland and Cyprus are not within the Schengen area, and therefore EES is not applicable when travelling to either of these countries.

The EES does not apply to:

Nationals of the European countries using the EES, as well as Cyprus and Ireland
Non-EU nationals who hold a residence card and are immediately related to an EU national
Non-EU nationals who hold a residence card or a residence permit and are immediately related to a non-EU national who can travel throughout Europe like an EU citizen
Non-EU nationals travelling to Europe as part of an intra-corporate transfer or for the purposes of research, studies, training, voluntary service, pupil exchange schemes or educational projects and au-pairing
Holders of residence permits and long-stay visas
Nationals of Andorra, Monaco and San Marino and holders of a passport issued by the Vatican City State or the Holy See
People exempt from border checks or who have been granted certain privileges with respect to border checks (such as heads of state, accredited diplomats, cross-border workers, etc.). Diplomats travelling on short stay may be exempt from EES registration under certain conditions.

The exception from registration in the EES apply to members of the armed forces travelling on NATO or Partnership for Peace business, who hold an identification and individual or collective movement order provided for by the Agreement between the parties to the North Atlantic Treaty regarding the Status of their Forces and may apply to civilian component or dependents referred to in the NATO Status of Forces Agreement.
People not required to cross external borders solely at border crossing points and during fixed opening hours
People holding a valid local border traffic permit
Crew members of passenger and goods trains on international connecting journeys
People holding a valid Facilitated Rail Transit Document or valid Facilitated Transit Document, provided they travel by train and do not disembark anywhere within the territory of an EU Member State.

What data are collected by the EES

Cruise ships

From the UK Government.

Sailings that start and finish their journey outside of the Schengen area (for example, at a UK port) will generally be exempt from EES checks, including for any day trips into the Schengen area that are part of their itinerary.

Travellers who disembark a cruise within the Schengen area, and travel on to a further destination, including an alternative port, by other means, will need to complete EES checks when leaving the ship. Any travellers boarding a cruise within the Schengen area will need to complete EES checks at their initial entry point port of entry  to the Schengen area.

25/09/2025. The Spanish goverment posted:

“During the six-month trial period of the EU’s EES, implementation at Spanish border posts will be progressive: first at airports, then in a second phase at land borders, and finally at maritime borders. On Sunday, October 12, the first test will be carried out with the passengers of a flight landing at Madrid-Barajas-Adolfo Suárez Airport early in the morning.”

Full Information</blockquote>

Please note: The information provided is based upon our understanding of current legislation. It is not legal advice but is provided freely to enable you to be properly informed. We recommend that if you are considering taking action, you should seek professional advice.