One Month of the EU Entry/Exit System at Alicante Airport
Wednesday, May 6th, 2026
The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) has now been fully operational across the Schengen Area for over four weeks, following its final mandatory implementation date on 10 April 2026. For passengers arriving at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport from outside the Schengen zone, including the United Kingdom, this transition marks a significant shift in border procedures.
The Arrival and Departure Process
The EES replaces the traditional manual stamping of passports with a digital record. Travellers from non-Schengen countries are now required to provide biometric data during their first entry or exit since the system’s launch. This registration includes:
- Facial Imaging: A digital photograph taken at a self-service kiosk.
- Fingerprint Scanning: A digital scan of four fingerprints from the right hand.
While these records remain valid for three years, the initial registration process adds time to border crossings.
Current Border Conditions in Spain
Congestion has been reported at several Spanish border points since the full rollout. At Alicante Airport, processing times can increase during peak hours when multiple flights arrive simultaneously.
To manage these flows, Spanish airport operator Aena has implemented specific operational measures:
- The 25-Minute Rule: Frontline staff have been instructed to divert certain groups, such as families and passengers with reduced mobility, to traditional passport-stamping desks if waiting times in biometric queues exceed 25 minutes.
- Arrival Staggering: Coordination with slot management teams is being used to stagger flight arrivals during peak periods to prevent border control from becoming overwhelmed.
International Comparisons
Spain continues to enforce the EES requirements, while some neighbouring Mediterranean nations have taken a different approach.
- Greece has suspended biometric registration for UK passport holders until at least September 2026, opting instead for manual stamps.
- Portugal and Italy have also recently moved to “wave through” British tourists or revert to simple stamps when queues become unmanageable.
Spain remains one of the primary countries adhering to the full biometric rollout, although authorities remain under pressure to ensure these measures are sufficient to prevent excessive congestion during peak travel periods.
Travel Planning and Advice
To navigate potential delays at Alicante Airport, the following steps are recommended for non-Schengen passengers:
- Plan for extra time: Arrive at the airport earlier than usual, as processing times at passport control are currently very changeable.
- Peak periods: Expect longer waits during typical peak windows, such as the 6 am to 10 am arrival blocks.
- Have documents ready: Ensure passports are ready and facial coverings are removed before reaching a kiosk to shave seconds off the individual processing time.
If existing measures prove inadequate for managing the expected summer rush, the Spanish government may face further calls from the tourism sector to follow the precedent set by Greece and Portugal in temporarily suspending the requirements.