The Spanish government has finally put an end to the chaos surrounding the Entry Exit System (EES) for British residents in Spain. The Interior Ministry has confirmed that Brits with a TIE card should not use the new EES queues or automated gates when entering or leaving the country. This clarification comes after weeks of confusion and contradictory guidance from various authorities, causing travel disruptions and long queues at Spanish airports.
The Ministry's statement aligns with recent instructions from the Policia Nacional in Malaga, which advised that British residents in Spain should not be registered in the EU's new EES. UK nationals with a valid residence document, such as the TIE, are now exempt from using the EES system. Instead, they should proceed to a staffed passport booth, presenting both their passport and TIE card.
This decision brings much-needed clarity for tens of thousands of British residents who have been facing uncertainty. The Policia Nacional had previously instructed its officers to direct residents with a TIE to avoid EES kiosks and automated lanes entirely. However, the Interior Ministry initially offered conflicting instructions, causing further confusion.
The consequences of mistakenly passing through the EES kiosks as a resident with a TIE are severe. Brits in this situation will be registered as tourists, subjecting their stay in Spain to the 90-day rule rather than as legal residents. This could lead to overstay flags, border delays, or the need for formal requests to delete or correct their EES record.
The travel chaos has been widespread, with residents reporting long queues and confusion at airports across Spain. Some airlines have been issuing contradictory announcements at boarding gates, adding to the confusion. At peak times, EES machines have been shut down or left unused due to staffing shortages, exacerbating the issues.
Despite the Interior Ministry's confirmation, there are concerns that frontline staff may not be immediately aware of the new instructions. The timing of updates to airport signage and unified guidance for airlines remains uncertain, leaving British residents in Spain to navigate the EES system with ongoing caution.
