Travellers are facing delays of up to three hours at Spanish airports as the new system is fully implemented this month
Robert Rowlands Deputy editor, money and lifestyle hub and Maria Ortega Foreign Content Specialist
16:26, 16 Apr 2026
Travellers look at flight information screens at Palma de Mallorca Airport in Palma, Spain – file image(Image: Getty)
Holidaymakers travelling to Spain are facing substantial disruption at airports. And one group in particular is being affected by the new implemented border controls, according to a Spanish travel organisation.
Queues of up to three hours have been widely documented as fresh regulations come into force, leaving certain passengers enduring exceptionally long waiting periods. Reports from Spanish and other media outlets suggest delays of up to three hours at Palma airport specifically, with comparable hold-ups occurring across France, Greece, Italy and other destinations.
Travel association Aviba is now urging swift intervention to prevent mayhem during the upcoming summer season. Pedro Fiol, president of the travel body, is demanding prompt action to avoid disruption this summer.
He said has been demanding measures for several months, according to Ultimata Hora. The new framework has only recently been implemented, having fully kicked in on April 10, following a trial phase that started towards the end of last year.
EES kiosks are now in place at EU airports – here’s an example at St Pancras International Train Station(Image: ADRIAN DENNIS, AFP via Getty Images)
The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) initially launched operations on 12 October 2025, with a gradual introduction across 29 European nations. It is now fully operational, reports the Mirror.
The framework replaces traditional passport stamping with digital documentation of entries, exits or entry refusals for non-EU nationals visiting for brief periods. Travellers’ facial images, fingerprints and personal data from travel documents will also be captured.
Mr Fiol explained: “The implementation of the new European Border and Security System (EES) is already beginning to be felt at the Balearic airports, especially at Son Sant Joan, the main gateway to Mallorca, where we are still operating with a hybrid model. At certain times, it is causing some slowdowns in the controls, particularly for non-EU passengers.” Given around 19 million Brits visited Spain in 2025, according to the Spanish Tourist Office, Brits are likely to be among the very worst affected by the new system.
He cautioned that “we are facing a structural change in how borders are managed across Europe: biometric registration is replacing manual passport stamping, and this means more time for the passenger’s first contact with their destination.” In his view, so far “the experience has been inconsistent: some days the operation runs relatively smoothly, while others, according to agencies and tour operators, can take more than two hours from the moment the plane lands until the traveller collects their luggage, and even nearly three hours in some specific cases.”
Sunset in Palma de Mallorca – the views are beautiful but the delays at the nearby airport could make them less appealing(Image: Alexander Spatari via Getty Images)
Ultima Hora has reported that while the National Police have recognised the delays, they maintain they have seen no evidence of prolonged hold-ups. Sources close to the security forces have informed Spanish media that extra personnel have been brought in during busy periods in an attempt to alleviate any problems that might arise when passenger numbers surge at checkpoints.
Airports across Europe, including those in France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Greece, are experiencing significant delays at border controls, with travellers facing queues lasting several hours, according to the Airports Council International (ACI). Olivier Jankovec, director of ACI’s European division, warned the Financial Times: “This situation, in the coming weeks and certainly over the peak summer months, is going to be simply unmanageable.”
He added: “We are seeing those queueing times now, at peak times, when traffic is just starting to build up.” However, a European Commission spokesperson offered a different perspective to the Guardian: “What we can see from the first days of full operation is that the system is working very well. In the overwhelming majority of member states there are no issues.”
The commission reported that processing each passenger takes an average of 70 seconds, though the ACI maintains it can extend to five minutes. The spokesperson acknowledged there were a “few member states where technical issues have been detected” but assured they “are being addressed”.
The spokesperson said: “It is up to member states to ensure the proper implementation of the EES on the ground.” Luke Fitzpatrick, from independent travel agency Perfect Getaways, advised BBC listeners this week that forward planning is essential for minimising disruption at border controls.
“It’s about being as prepared as you can be,” Fitzpatrick told BBC Radio Merseyside. “There is a lot of uncertainty at the moment as people are getting used to the new system.”
While he noted that guidance recommends arriving at the airport “at least three hours early”, he said this could prove more challenging for those on package holidays. “If you’re on a shared transfer back, everyone’s coming together at the same time,” he explained.
EES changes and the impact on transfer and pick-ups
Pedro Fiol informed Ultima Hora that “this situation is forcing a restructuring of transfer and pick-up operations at destinations to better co-ordinate exact times, avoid additional downtime, and guarantee the smoothest possible service.” In light of these developments, he notes that “travel agencies are concerned that if resources are not properly allocated at airports with such high tourist pressure as those in the Balearic Islands, significant queues and a negative first experience for visitors are possible.”
What do Brit tourists need to do with EES rules?
The gov.uk website explains that “if you are travelling to a country in the Schengen area for a short stay using a UK passport, you may be required to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo, when you arrive. You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border, and there is no cost for EES registration.
“EES registration is replacing the current system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the EU. EES may take each passenger extra time to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border.”
The nations within the Schengen zone include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.