Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
As the EU’s digital border system Entry/Exit System, or EES, begins to roll out in Spain’s airports there is confusion over which queue British citizens should use.
Many expats have reported being unsure whether to join the EU lane – as legal residents of Spain – or the non-EU queue, which is now controlled by biometric EES kiosks.
The Olive Press contacted the Interior Ministry of Spain to clarify this rule.
READ MORE: Here are the start dates for the EES border system at key Spanish airports popular with British tourists – travellers to Malaga beware
Officials confirmed that British passport holders with a valid Spanish TIE residency card must use the queue for the EES system, meaning they should join the non-EU or ‘third-country nationals’ queue when arriving in or leaving Spain.
The TIE allows them to avoid being treated as tourists, and the 90-day limit for non-residents.
In practice, travellers are required to present both their passports and TIEs at the border.
The system – or the officer operating it – should then recognise their residence status and exempt them from the short-stay rules.
READ MORE The big EES digital border system rolls out on Sunday to great fanfare… at just one airport in Spain
Spain is gradually introducing the EES to its major airports. First, Madrid, then Malaga.
Palma de Mallorca will be implemented on November 19, followed by Alicante, Barcelona and Barcelona on October 27.
The first week in Europe has been marked by long lines and technical problems. At Brussels Airport, passengers faced up to 3 hours of waiting time.
READ MORE EXPLAINER – How the new EES Border System will work when Brits enter Spain and other EU countries starting next month
Facial recognition and fingerprint scanners are used to record entry and exit.
It can be set to alert users if they exceed the 90-day rule.
British residents in Spain can breathe easy – their TIE cards keep them exempt from those restrictions – but they’ll still have to join the non-EU line like their fellow compatriots.
Travel News by The Olive Press.
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