Palma de Mallorca’s Son Sant Joan Airport will activate the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) for non-EU travellers on Wednesday, 19 November, making the Balearic gateway the latest Spanish hub to switch from passport stamping to biometric border control. The launch follows live trials at Madrid-Barajas in October and roll-outs at Menorca and other regional airports earlier this month.
Under EES, every third-country national—including UK citizens post-Brexit—will have their face and four fingerprints scanned and time-stamped on arrival and departure. Border police say the change will cut fraud and overstays, but they caution that first-day teething problems could slow queues until frequent visitors’ data are stored. The British Ambassador has urged UK residents in Spain to obtain the TIE residence card to avoid joining the tourist line.
![Palma Airport Sets November 19 ‘D-Day’ for EU Biometric Entry-Exit System]()
For corporate mobility teams the shift is more than a procedural tweak. Business travellers who fly in and out regularly will now have an exact “clock” against their 90-in-180-day Schengen allowance; overstays could trigger entry bans that jeopardise client engagements and project timelines. Employers are advising staff to retain boarding passes and keep a running tally that matches the EES database.
Looking ahead, Palma’s EES kiosks are a dress rehearsal for ETIAS—the €20 electronic travel authorisation the EU will impose on visa-exempt visitors in 2026. Companies with UK-based executives should plan for the extra step in travel booking systems and budget for the fee in project costs.
Airport operator Aena says additional officers will be on duty during the first week and recommends that passengers arrive at least three hours early until flows stabilise.
Under EES, every third-country national—including UK citizens post-Brexit—will have their face and four fingerprints scanned and time-stamped on arrival and departure. Border police say the change will cut fraud and overstays, but they caution that first-day teething problems could slow queues until frequent visitors’ data are stored. The British Ambassador has urged UK residents in Spain to obtain the TIE residence card to avoid joining the tourist line.
For corporate mobility teams the shift is more than a procedural tweak. Business travellers who fly in and out regularly will now have an exact “clock” against their 90-in-180-day Schengen allowance; overstays could trigger entry bans that jeopardise client engagements and project timelines. Employers are advising staff to retain boarding passes and keep a running tally that matches the EES database.
Looking ahead, Palma’s EES kiosks are a dress rehearsal for ETIAS—the €20 electronic travel authorisation the EU will impose on visa-exempt visitors in 2026. Companies with UK-based executives should plan for the extra step in travel booking systems and budget for the fee in project costs.
Airport operator Aena says additional officers will be on duty during the first week and recommends that passengers arrive at least three hours early until flows stabilise.
