EES going live.

Posted: Fri Oct 3, 2025 4:32pm

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aitchc1401

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Just a reminder - after several years in development and many delays the EU's Entry/Exit Sysyem (EES) is finally going live this month. October 12th is the start date, so anyone travelling into the EU be aware and be prepared for some possible delays.

If it is managed at Alicante as well as they handled the covid checks then it should be pretty seemless.

It is a phased implementation so what exactly happens on the 12th is not clear but I have seen all the equipment already installed in Alicante airport, ready to go.

Click the link below for some relevant info on EES.

https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/ltr/how-will-ees-work-what-new-during-border-checks##

Luckily for me I arrive at Alicante airport this weekend!

Rgds,

Aitch.

p.s. have there been any updates in the local Spanish media about what to expect at Alicante and Murcia airports?

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Posted: Fri Oct 3, 2025 9:43pm

Badger1234

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Posted: Fri Oct 3, 2025 9:43pm

In the Olive press and The Spanish eye, it's just the usual "possible delays" type comment. I'd guess the Spanish papers are the same.

Personally, I'd rather just get it out of the way and now footfall is reduced, I'd say it's a decent time to introduce it.

I'm more wondering if we'll have to do it on the way out, as we leave on the 16th.

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Posted: Fri Oct 3, 2025 10:18pm

marcliff

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Posted: Fri Oct 3, 2025 10:18pm

Badger1234 wrote on Fri Oct 3, 2025 9:43pm:
In the Olive press and The Spanish eye, it's just the usual "possible delays" type comment. I'd guess the Spanish papers are the same.
Personally, I'd rather just get it out of the way and now footfall is reduced, I'd say it's a decent time to introduce it.

Read more...

I'm more wondering if we'll have to do it on the way out, as we leave on the 16th.

The EES is for entering the EU, not for leaving it. The UK ETA is only for those without UK (or Irish) passports so you have not need to worry on either score.

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Posted: Fri Oct 3, 2025 10:39pm

Badger1234

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Posted: Fri Oct 3, 2025 10:39pm

marcliff wrote on Fri Oct 3, 2025 10:18pm:
The EES is for entering the EU, not for leaving it. The UK ETA is only for those without UK (or Irish) passports so you have not need to worry on either score.

EES stands for Entry/Exit system and is designed to track how long you've stayed, hence I'm not sure that's correct marcliff.

As it happens, I have a sneaky feeling I might be on 91 days when I leave. That might be interesting, if not costly :-(

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Posted: Fri Oct 3, 2025 10:44pm

Badger1234

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Posted: Fri Oct 3, 2025 10:44pm

Also, it mentions if you arrive at "a border crossing point for the first time since EES started".

It makes no reference of which way.

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Posted: Fri Oct 3, 2025 11:31pm

aitchc1401

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Posted: Fri Oct 3, 2025 11:31pm

Badger1234 wrote on Fri Oct 3, 2025 10:44pm:
Also, it mentions if you arrive at "a border crossing point for the first time since EES started".
It makes no reference of which way.

The text below is from google Ai:

----------------------

If you enter the EU before October 12, 2025, and leave after that date, you will be required to complete the new Entry/Exit System (EES) formalities upon your departure, which will include a facial biometric check and potentially fingerprinting (depending on the specific border and your previous history with the system) at the border control. This initial encounter with the EES will register your personal details and biometrics, and subsequent entries will only require a facial biometric check

---------------------

Not sure if it's correct - maybe you cn update us on the 17th?

Good luck with the day overstay!

Rgds,

Aitch.

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Posted: Fri Oct 3, 2025 11:40pm

Badger1234

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Posted: Fri Oct 3, 2025 11:40pm

aitchc1401 wrote on Fri Oct 3, 2025 11:31pm:
The text below is from google Ai:
----------------------

Read more...

If you enter the EU before October 12, 2025, and leave after that date, you will be required to complete the new Entry/Exit System (EES) formalities upon your departure, which will include a facial biometric check and potentially fingerprinting (depending on the specific border and your previous history with the system) at the border control. This initial encounter with the EES will register your personal details and biometrics, and subsequent entries will only require a facial biometric check
---------------------
Not sure if it's correct - maybe you cn update us on the 17th?
Good luck with the day overstay!
Rgds,
Aitch.

That's how I'm reading it. No rush on the way out, so I'm fine with it.

I'll be sure to update, no worries (as long as I remember!)

As for the 91 days, yes, that'll be interesting, as the stamps are literally all over the place. I don't think they've taken things seriously up to now.

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Posted: Sat Oct 4, 2025 8:21am

rds1234

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Posted: Sat Oct 4, 2025 8:21am

What about people with TIE cards entering back into Spain.

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Posted: Sat Oct 4, 2025 10:34am

marcliff

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Posted: Sat Oct 4, 2025 10:34am

rds1234 wrote on Sat Oct 4, 2025 8:21am:
What about people with TIE cards entering back into Spain.

A Spanish Tie holder (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) will not need to register with the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES), as the TIE is considered a biometric residency card that exempts holders from EES registration when traveling to and from the Schengen Area. Instead of registering, TIE holders should carry their TIE and passport when traveling to show their residency status. Using the old green residency certificate will not provide EES exemption and may lead to entry issues.

UK (and Irish) passport holders with a TIE will have the best of both worlds as they will not require the EES (and later the ETIAS) to enter the EU nor will they require the UK ETA to enter the UK.

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Posted: Wed Oct 8, 2025 8:17pm

Grannyrose

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Posted: Wed Oct 8, 2025 8:17pm

We’re in Prague, I saw all the equipment close to the Passport control yesterday when we arrived so it’s being prepared here too. Yes, 12/10/25 is tge given date for implementation. Thankfully, we’re flying to Alicante on 11th so will avoid delays.