Home » AIRLINE NEWS » Spain, France, and Italy Introduce New Border Checks with EES: Travelers Must Provide Biometric Data, Affecting International Airlines and Hotel Bookings
Published on
October 19, 2025
Spain, France, and Italy have recently introduced new border checks with the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES), requiring travelers, especially from non-EU countries, to provide biometric data such as fingerprints and facial recognition scans upon arrival. This new system, gradually rolled out starting in October 2025, is designed to enhance security and streamline the entry process for millions of tourists visiting these popular destinations. While it promises greater efficiency in the long run, the immediate impact includes longer wait times at border control, affecting not only travelers but also airlines and the hospitality industry. With major airlines like Air France, Iberia, and Alitalia adjusting to the new regulations and hotels across Spain, France, and Italy adapting their check-in procedures, tourists are advised to stay informed and plan accordingly for a smoother travel experience.
Spain, France, and Italy New Border Checks with EES Regime
Spain, France and Italy first to secure EES accession and recognition of Spain, France and Italy onboarding EES has profound implications for travel and tourism in Europe. Border controls affecting flights and cross border travel for tourists and business travelers between Europe and non EU4 countries including the UK, USA, China and India are being adapted to implement biometric border controls.
New Border Checks with EES: What Travelers Need to Know
With the adoption of the new EES border regime, the EU has positioned itself to consolidate and secure its borders in the Schengen visa area. Biometric controls including fingerprints and facial images will be applied to non EU border entrants to the Schengen areas including Spain, France and Italy with the EES controls being rolled out in phases with full deployment anticipated in April 2026.
For revolutionizing travel across Europe, new biometric border controls coming into effect across Europe are mainly as a result of travelers from the UK, the US, India, and China. These, and other countries, account for millions of visitors to the continent. Although integrating biometric border control systems are likely to result in longer wait times, it will improve the safety and border control of the Schengen zone over the coming years.
This paper will analyze the impacts of this policy shift in Spain, France, and Italy and how it may influence airlines, the broader travel and tourism sector, and travelers.
Introduction to the EES and New Border Control in Spain
As of October 13, 2025, all travelers into Spain, which is the 4th most Popular European destination for tourists, from the Barajas airport will be entered into the EES system and as the system is phased in over the other 4 Spain airports of Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville, that will also become EES operational airports. As part of the new system, all travelers from non-EU countries will be subject to biometric capture of fingerprints and face scans at automated border control kiosks.
The EES system is being rolled out in Spain, where international tourism continues to grow. In 2024, Spain was second in the world to receive the most international tourists, with over 93 million tourists. Spain’s border tourism and highly developed air transport sector will be impacted by the tourism border EES system.
For airlines, the EES system means changes to the airlines check-in and boarding processes. Iberia, Vueling, and Air Europa, among many others, are updating their system to onboard EES interface. More passengers are being air-travelled, and airlines have to quickly notify travelers of the new boarding and entry rules to facilitate the boarding and de-planing processes.
As another leading tourist destination, France has also introduced the EES. Non-EU nationals arriving at Charles de Gaulle and Nice Côte d’Azur airports are required to check in and verify biometric data, effective October 12, 2025. Under EES scanners are the new passport stamping tools, expediting entry to France.
Travelers going to France will need to keep these changes in mind. The use of biometric data will lessen entry wait times in the future, but the first phase of the rollout will likely result in traveler delays. The French government collaborates with airline companies and border control agencies to provide the new procedures information to the passengers prior to travel.
One of the largest carriers in Europe, Air France, is planning to implement biometric check-ins and boarding procedures. This change will impact the hospitality sector as well; hotels in major French cities, including Paris, Lyon, and Marseille, may need to revise their check-in procedures as guests return.
Italy’s Border Check Adjustments: EES Rolls Out Across Airports
Italy has been another early adopter of the European Union’s Entry/Exit System, with the system becoming operational at major airports, including Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa, starting October 12, 2025. Like Spain and France, travelers from non-EU countries will be required to provide biometric data at automated kiosks upon arrival. This biometric data collection is part of Italy’s broader efforts to enhance border security and streamline the immigration process.
Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world, with nearly 60 million international visitors in 2024. The impact of the EES on Italy’s tourism industry will be substantial, as travelers will experience longer wait times initially, especially during peak travel seasons. However, these changes are expected to lead to greater security and faster processing in the long term, which will benefit both travelers and the tourism sector.
Alitalia and Ryanair, two airlines with many flights to and from Italy, are adapting to the new requirements. Passengers arriving in Italy will need to provide biometric data at various border control points, and airlines will need to communicate these changes to passengers in their pre-flight instructions.
EES and the Airline Industry: Preparing for the New Normal
The EES will affect the airline industry and, more specifically, international flights landing in Spain, France, and Italy. Non-EU travelers will provide biometric data when arriving at the EES, and this will be taken at automated border control kiosks. The objective is to streamline the passing of the manual control and, thus, the flow of border control. However, this will pose more challenges to the airlines when it comes to passengers.
Air France, Iberia, and Alitalia are modernizing their systems to implement the new procedures for the collection of biometric data. They must update all travelers prior to departing about the new entry conditions. Also, airports will have to expand their infrastructure to include biometric scanners, which will assist travelers in crossing borders more efficiently.
This implementation will simplify the check-in procedure, however, travelers might experience extended wait times to clear immigration for a few weeks after the implementation. Also, there will be periods of increased delays in border crossings during peak travel time. For this reason, travelers are advised to arrive much earlier at the airport to cover the extended time needed for biometric verification procedures.
Adjusting Accommodations in Response to EES.
With new border crossing procedures, the hospitality sector in Spain, France, and Italy must also prepare for change. In France, Spain, and Italy, the countries that hospitality sector relies on, will need to implement new training for their staff to be able to meet these challenges and improve their guests experiences. In major tourist cites like Paris, Barcelona, and Rome, new procedures will have a greater impact on hotel check-in processes.
Hilton, Marriott, and Accor hotels will likely adapt their check-in processes to make sure guests have the proper documentation due to the new regulations. More guests will have to present their biometric data to border control to be checked and confirmed.
This change to the hospitality system will impact larger hotels and small boutique hotels alike. Although it will result in slight inconveniences, the system will create a more secure entry and faster processing times, disproving the initial perception. Travelers will face fewer delays due to biometric technology.
Travel Guidance for Tourists: Meeting the New EES Regulations
With Spain, France and Italy implementing the Entry/Exit System (EES), there are key travel points every tourist should consider.
- Plan for Delays: With the new biometric checks, there will likely be slower processing times at border crossings. Travellers should plan to arrive at the airport early to accommodate for the increased processing times, particularly during busy travel periods.
- Review Airline Policies: Air France, Iberia, and Alitalia provide the necessary information regarding the new border policies. Check with your airlines before your flight to understand the new check-in policies.
- Biometric EES: While the EES requires biometric data, travelers will still need their passport and, in some, visas. Before your trip, ensure all your travel documents are up to date.
- Pre-arrangement: Given that the new entry requirements are still being finalized within the hospitality industry, it’s best to secure your accommodations. Larger hotel chains like Hilton and Marriott are likely to provide an efficient check-in process, but smaller hotels will probably be slower to adjust.
- Keep in Mind: The EES system may bring about slowdowns during its initial implementation. It is best to keep in mind that extra time will be needed for border control.
Flight Details: Major Airlines Adapting to EES
Airlines are adapting to EES if you plan to travel to Spain, France, and Italy. For example:
Air France: As France customs authorities staff to roll out EES at Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport, Air France aims to integrate biometric data features into its check-in systems for flights arriving from New York, Los Angeles, and Tokyo, which currently operate under Air France’s new biometric real-time passenger processing systems.
Iberia: As Spain’s flagship airline, Iberia also enhances biometric systems for real-time passenger processing at Madrid Barajas Airport. Air travelers arriving from major international hubs, such as Miami and Buenos Aires, will pass through new biometric systems as they enter Spain.
Alitalia: Italy’s national carrier, Alitalia, has started implementing changes at Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa airports. Air travelers coming from London, New York, and Dubai are the initial implementations of the new biometric departure systems.
Spain, France, and Italy have introduced new border checks with the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), requiring biometric data from non-EU travelers. This change aims to enhance security and streamline entry procedures, impacting airlines and the hospitality industry.
Embracing the New EES for a Safer, More Efficient Travel Experience
Change is never easy, but the Entry/Exit System in the European Union is a game changer when it comes to how travelers engage with border control. It is bound to cause temporary inconveniences and hold up border control in Spain, France, and Italy, but the system’s long term border control efficiency and travel experience benefits will outweigh the costs.
As for the tourists, airlines, and every business in the travel and hospitality sector, the system is going to require some changes. However, there is no cause for concern. Travelers can make border control friendly changes to their travel plans and keep their overall travel experience to Europe, and border countries, uplifting. Travel control systems will continue to inform travelers about changes as the system fully integrates into Spain border control systems and the rest of the Schengen countries follow suit.
