On the 12th October 2025, European countries using the new Entry/Exit System (EES) will start introducing it. This automated IT system which registers non-EU nationals travelling for short stays (up to 90 days within any 180-day period) will gradually be introduced at border crossings.
Full implementation is expected to be completed by the 10th April 2026 with the introduction of ETIAS six months later (November 2026).
The following image shows the European countries using the EES :
Travellers not holding the nationality of any European Union country or that of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland will be registered by the EES when going through border control in the countries featured in the image above.
Our UK guests will have to use the new system when entering Malaga airport but visitors from the European countries using EES, as well as nationals of Cyprus and Ireland, do not.
For a full list of who the ESS doesn’t apply to, please visit THIS PAGE.
On a positive note, the new EES will help make border checks more modern and efficient. Non-EU visitors landing at Málaga airport will gradually see the disappearance of the ‘dreaded’ passport control stamps as they are replaced with the new digital system that makes border checks faster.
