This coming Sunday, an innovative control system will be launched at Madrid’s Barajas Airport for visitors from non-EU countries. Now, upon crossing the border, travelers will encounter special terminals that record not only passport details but also biometric data—including facial recognition and fingerprints.
This technology, called EES (Entry-Exit System), will gradually be rolled out in all European Schengen countries. By April next year, the system is expected to be fully operational. Its main goals are to enhance security, simplify the monitoring of stay durations, and prevent illegal border crossings. All information will be stored in a unified database accessible to European authorities.
Dozens of automated kiosks have already been installed at Madrid Airport. Travelers simply need to present their passport, scan their face, and four fingers of their right hand. After that, the system asks standard questions usually posed by border officers: about the purpose of the visit, hotel reservations, financial means, and the length of stay. For those who need assistance, police officers and assistants will be on hand nearby.
After registering at the terminal, foreigners pass through electronic gates for a second identity check. This double control is intended to prevent the transfer of documents to third parties. If no violations are detected, the gates open automatically. If there is any doubt, the traveler will be directed to a regular border officer.
The transition to the new system will be gradual: airports first, then land borders, and later — seaports. Spain has already invested more than 80 million euros in upgrading its infrastructure. However, some disruptions may occur in the first few months: not all data will be collected immediately, and the familiar passport stamps will remain until April. After that, they will be completely phased out to speed up the process and improve accuracy.
The EES system records every entry and exit by third-country nationals, allowing authorities to monitor whether the permitted stay — 90 days within 180 — is exceeded. If a visa is required for entry, fingerprints are already in the database, and the system will only scan the passport and face. For visa-free visitors, full biometric data will be collected.
The European Commission proposed the ‘smart borders’ concept back in 2016, and the corresponding regulation came into force in late 2017. Spain’s Interior Ministry emphasizes that all data will be stored strictly in accordance with European data protection standards and deleted once the retention period ends.
Authorities assure that the new technologies will not only speed up security checks but also help combat crime and illegal migration more effectively. In the coming months, travelers will experience a transition period, but soon the familiar lines and paper stamps will become a thing of the past.
