New Border System EES
Since October 12, 2025, the new Entry/Exit System (EES) of the European Union (EU) has been radically transforming European travel. Notably, it marks a significant development amid a transition from manual passport stamping to digitalized border security.
In particular, the EES scans and stores the fingerprints and facial scans of non-EU visitors, while logging entry/exit information. Overall, it hopes to reduce overstays in the region and enhance border security across EU member countries. But the initial launch phase has created different reactions among these states.
In this article, we’ll go through the latest news from Spain, Poland, and Portugal, as they implement the new system.
Málaga Airport Leads Pilot
Spain has started EES at Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, a busy entry point for British and non-EU travelers. Since October 20, the airport has been running a one-hour daily trial for departing non-EU passengers.
During the test phase, passengers undergo biometric scans—fingerprints and facial images—before passport control. Overall, the process is quick, but officials are closely monitoring performance and traveler flow.
According to Sur in English, Spain’s Interior Ministry has invested €83 million to install EES systems nationwide. The goal is full deployment by April 2026, when physical passport stamps will disappear.
“Its implementation over the last few days has been without incident,” sources told Sur. “We are in a test phase. There are 180 days for its total application, which is due on 10 April 2026.”
Moreover, Spain’s tourism industry remains watchful. Previously, Málaga handled over 19 million passengers in 2024, nearly half from the UK. Therefore, minimizing disruption is crucial.
So far, travelers report only brief slowdowns. Yet, the coming months will test how Spain scales the system across larger airports.
EES Sparks Delays at Lisbon
In contrast, Portugal is experiencing early turbulence. Specifically, the launch of EES at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport has sparked long queues and rising frustration among travelers.
Since mid-October, non-Schengen passengers have faced delays, according to the Association of Hotel Establishments of Portugal (AHP). As a result, local tourism operators fear reputational damage during a busy travel period.
Indeed, tourism is vital to Portugal’s economy, representing 12% of its GDP. As such, industry leaders are urging authorities to allocate more border staff and expand infrastructure.
In response, the Interior Ministry has proposed several solutions to ease congestion. One is to immediately deploy additional police personnel at border control points. Another is to establish maximum waiting times for third-country nationals.
Despite growing pains, Portuguese officials emphasize that early challenges are part of a wider learning curve. Gradual optimization, they say, will ensure long-term efficiency once EES stabilizes.
How EES Impacts Ukrainians
Meanwhile, Poland has opted for a slower, more controlled introduction. The EES went live at three border checkpoints along the Ukrainian frontier, including Kroszenko-Smilnytsya, Malchovice-Nizhankovychy, and Budomezh-Hrushev crossings.
Officials have highlighted several benefits, among them enhanced identity verification and faster re-entry for frequent travelers. The EES also helps detect overstays by automatically counting the 90-day-within-180-day limit for non-EU visitors.
However, Polish authorities warn that initial border wait times may increase. Hence, they are running public awareness campaigns to prepare travelers for the new process.
The Interior Ministry expects nationwide implementation by April 2026, aligning with the EU deadline. Importantly, land borders serve as crucial testing grounds, given Poland’s high cross-border traffic with Ukraine and Belarus.
Comparing EES Approaches
Spain, Portugal, and Poland represent three different stages of EES maturity. In particular, Spain’s structured testing suggests readiness, while Portugal’s chaotic start highlights operational stress. Meanwhile, Poland’s step-by-step rollout shows pragmatic caution.
Across all three nations, the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems (eu-LISA) coordinates oversight. While the majority of border posts across the Schengen Area are equipped for biometric capture, training gaps still persist.
For travelers, the message is clear: Arrive early and expect longer processing times during the transition. Notably, airlines are advising passengers to reach airports at least three hours before departure for non-EU flights.
Furthermore, tourism groups across southern Europe are calling for additional funding to ensure smooth adoption ahead of the 2026 summer season, when traveler numbers will peak.
Looking Ahead
Despite teething issues, the EES marks a historic modernization of Europe’s borders. Once fully operational, it will replace millions of manual passport stamps each year with digital records.
On the one hand, supporters argue it will make travel more secure and efficient. In contrast, critics warn that inadequate staffing or technical errors could trigger major bottlenecks.
Nevertheless, governments are adjusting swiftly. As the EU moves closer to a frictionless digital frontier, Spain’s early testing, Portugal’s course correction, and Poland’s cautious rollout offer valuable lessons.
Photo by Angel Arcalle on Unsplash
