UK tourists visiting Spain this year have been issued a travel alert by the Foreign Office ahead of a major change to European Union (EU) travel rules. From October 2025, British holidaymakers will be required to register their fingerprints and a facial photo at the Spanish border before being allowed to enter the country. The stricter rules are part of a new Entry/Exit System (EES) designed to improve border security within the EU and its neighbouring countries by stopping visitors overstaying, and to reduce illegal migration within the Schengen area.
The EES was initially due to launch last year but it was delayed and is now expected to start in October, replacing the current system of manually stamping passports with biometric data instead. The UK Foreign Office updated its travel advice for Spain this week, warning UK tourists that the new system is expected to start later this year, which could result in longer queues on arrival. It said: “The EU plans to introduce the Entry/Exit system (EES).
This is a new digital border system that will change requirements for British nationals travelling to the Schengen area. “If you are travelling to a country in the Schengen area using a UK passport, you will be required to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints or a photo, when you arrive. EES registration will replace the current system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the EU.
“EES is expected to start in October 2025. It is not curre.
