The Spanish airport handles over 33 million visitors a year (Image: Clara Margais/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)
The long-delayed European Entry/Exit System (EES) has now been fully implemented as of April 10, meaning all non-EU nationals, including Britons, must register their biometric information upon entering the European Union (EU).
Nevertheless, throughout the phased rollout period, long queues have been observed at numerous airports, particularly in destinations popular with British holidaymakers such as Spanish coastal resorts. One location experiencing disruption is the holiday island of Majorca, where lengthy queues were documented by Majorca Daily Bulletin during the Easter weekend, resulting from both the new procedures and airport strikes.
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Brits will now need to use EES when they enter the EU (Image: Lucy North/PA Wire)
Palma de Mallorca Airport ranks as Spain’s third busiest airport with more than 33.3 million passengers annually, surpassing popular mainland cities including Alicante and Malaga.
The airport operates a single terminal, separated into four sections, and while numerous reviews commend its effectiveness in processing such substantial passenger volumes, there have been complaints regarding long queues and crowds. Nevertheless, an airport spokesperson, speaking to the Majorca Daily Bulletin, has confirmed that designated lanes will be established for British travellers.
The initiative could assist in alleviating pressures at passport control, as first-time registrations can require several minutes per passenger. British travellers will be guided towards a designated zone featuring kiosks to capture their biometric information, with extra Guardia Civil personnel available to facilitate the procedure.
Palma de Mallorca has only one terminal (Image: Getty)
The new EES system requires non-EU citizens to provide a photograph and fingerprints, with the primary goal of efficiently tracking those who overstay their welcome. Ultimately, it will replace the manual stamping of passports, enabling EU nations to determine whether travellers have adhered to the 90-day rule, reports the Mirror.
To date, the system has reportedly identified more than 4,000 travellers who have either inadvertently or intentionally overstayed. Britons visiting the EU are permitted to remain for up to 90 days without a visa within any 180-day period, though many are unaware this constitutes a rolling window, potentially causing confusion when calculating time spent within the EU.
Britons travelling to Portugal or Sweden can download the official Travel to Europe app to streamline the process. The app enables users to scan their passports and record their biometric data beforehand, subsequently generating a QR code. Should no additional checks be required at the airport, visitors can simply scan the code upon arrival at the EES kiosk.
Delays with EES have seen Brits facing long lines at EU airports (Image: Getty)
Later this year, Britons will additionally need to register with the new visa-waiver scheme, the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System), which is scheduled for implementation in late 2026.
Not to be confused with EES, ETIAS will oblige Britons travelling to the EU to apply for a visa-exemption, with the application fee set at €20 (approximately £17.42), though it will remain valid for three years or until the holder’s passport expires.
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This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
