Overview
- British Ambassador to Spain Sir Alex Ellis said EES begins in Menorca on November 4 and in Mallorca on November 19, with no date set for Ibiza.
- The Port of Dover said its tourist rollout is on hold pending guidance from French authorities despite facilities being ready, with a slow start expected.
- EES became operational on October 12 and is being phased in across Schengen external borders with full deployment targeted by April 2026.
- First entry requires biometric registration at the border with a facial image for all travellers and fingerprints for most visa‑exempt visitors, with no pre‑registration or fee.
- Data are generally retained for three years, or five for overstayers, and officials warn that initial processing may add minutes per passenger and lengthen queues.