EES Starts 12 October: Alicante Airport Border Control Changes 2025
Wednesday, October 8th, 2025
EES Starts 12 October: Alicante Airport Border Control Changes 2025
Alicante Airport border control changes begin this weekend
If you’re flying to or from Alicante Airport from Sunday, 12 October 2025, you may notice new procedures at passport control. The European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) officially launches this weekend, marking one of the biggest border control changes at Alicante Airport in 2025.
There’s been plenty of speculation and confusion about what the EES means for British travellers, but the reality is reassuringly simple. You don’t need to register, apply or pay for anything in advance. The changes mostly happen behind the scenes to make travel smoother and more secure in the long run.
What the EES means for passengers travelling via Alicante Airport
The Entry/Exit System replaces manual passport stamping with a digital record of each traveller’s entry and exit from the Schengen Area. For UK citizens and other non-EU nationals, this means that at Alicante Airport border control, you’ll be asked to provide biometric information (a photo and fingerprints) the first time you travel after the system starts.
This information will then be stored securely in the EU’s database, so you won’t need to repeat the process on future trips. Once enrolled, border checks are expected to become faster and more efficient.
A gradual change, not a sudden shift
Although the official start date is 12 October, the Alicante Airport border control changes will be phased in gradually. The new EES technology will be introduced step by step, with additional staff on hand to guide travellers.
Some short-term delays are possible as passengers go through the new process for the first time, but these are expected to ease quickly. After your first EES registration, crossing the border should be faster than before.
No forms, no fees, and no new restrictions
The most important thing to remember is that travellers don’t need to do anything before travelling. There’s no form to fill in, no online registration, and no cost involved in using the EES. These changes affect only how border control operates at Alicante Airport, not who can travel or how long you can stay.
You can still visit Spain and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. The EES simply replaces passport stamps with a more reliable digital system.
Don’t confuse EES with ETIAS
Many people have mixed up the EES with ETIAS, another upcoming EU system. They’re connected but separate:
- EES records your movements automatically when you enter or leave the EU.
- ETIAS will be an online travel authorisation that you’ll need to apply for before travelling — but not until 2026.
So for now, the only change taking place at Alicante Airport border control in 2025 is the introduction of the EES.
A positive development for travellers
While it’s natural to feel a little uncertain about new border technology, the EES is designed to make travel easier in the long run. By replacing manual passport stamping with digital records, the EU aims to speed up the process, improve accuracy, and strengthen border security.
Once the system is fully operational, most passengers should find their journeys through Alicante Airport smoother and more consistent, especially frequent visitors to Spain.
Find out more about the EES
For a detailed explanation of how the EES works, what data is collected, and who it applies to, visit our EES Information Page.
In the meantime, rest assured: the Alicante Airport border control changes in 2025 are nothing to worry about. The EES is simply part of Europe’s move towards smarter, faster and more secure travel — and your next trip through Alicante Airport should be just as enjoyable as ever.