Spanish Airports Face Significant Delays Amid EU Biometric System Rollout

New EU Entry/Exit System Implemented

Spanish airports, including popular tourist destinations like Majorca, are currently grappling with significant delays following the phased introduction of the European Union's new biometric Entry/Exit System (EES). The system officially commenced operations on October 12, 2025, across 29 European countries, with full implementation anticipated by April 10, 2026.

The EES is designed to digitally register the entry and exit of non-EU nationals traveling for short stays—up to 90 days within any 180-day period—into the Schengen Area. Its primary goal is to enhance border security and track overstays by replacing traditional manual passport stamping with electronic registration, which includes the collection of biometric data such as fingerprints and facial images.

Widespread Disruptions Across Key Spanish Hubs

Reports indicate that numerous Spanish airports are experiencing considerable bottlenecks. Madrid-Barajas Airport was the first in Spain to implement the EES on October 12, 2025. Since then, other major airports have also seen disruptions:

• Alicante-Elche (ALC): Travelers have reported queues exceeding an hour, with some describing the system as 'terrible' due to frequent malfunctions.
• Malaga-Costa del Sol (AGP): Passengers have faced 'horrendous' queues, with some missing flights. Airport sources have acknowledged 'slightly longer waiting times than usual.'
• Palma de Majorca Airport: Warnings have been issued to holidaymakers about 'long delays' at passport control.
• Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) and Gran Canaria have also been cited for experiencing significant delays and snaking lines.

Wait times have varied, with some passengers reporting delays of up to 90 minutes, over an hour, and in some instances, even up to four hours, particularly for non-EU nationals, including British tourists.

Causes and Consequences of the Delays

The delays are attributed to a combination of factors:

• Technical Difficulties: Malfunctioning fingerprint scanners, issues with capturing facial images, system errors, and software glitches have been widely reported. Automated kiosks have frequently failed to sync with central EU databases, necessitating manual intervention by border staff.
• Passenger Unfamiliarity: Many travelers are unfamiliar with the new biometric registration process, which involves scanning passports, providing fingerprints, and having a photograph taken.
• Insufficient Staffing: Some airports reportedly lack adequate personnel to assist passengers through the new automated procedures, exacerbating queue lengths.
• System Capacity: Concerns have been raised about the system's ability to handle the 'enormous amount of information' required for biometric data processing, especially during peak travel times.

The direct consequence for travelers has been widespread frustration and, in several documented cases, missed flights. While the EES aims to streamline processes and enhance security, its initial rollout has created significant operational challenges at Spanish borders.

Outlook and Advice for Travelers

As the EES continues its gradual rollout, authorities advise travelers to anticipate potential delays. Recommendations for non-EU nationals include arriving at the airport at least three hours before their scheduled flights, ensuring passports are in good condition, and being prepared for the biometric scanning process. The European Union expects the system to improve over time, but significant adjustments may be required to ensure a smoother experience for the millions of travelers entering the Schengen Area.