How Europe’s New Digital Borders Will Change Travel to Spain, France, Germany and Beyond by 2026
Travel | Border Policy
Spain Joins EU Push for Fully Digital Borders by 2026 as EES and ETIAS Roll Out Across Europe
By Travel and Tour World Staff Writers | Published December 11, 2025
Spain has joined France, Belgium, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and other European countries in preparing for sweeping changes to border controls as the European Union moves towards fully digital external borders by 2026. The transition, driven by the new Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), will require most non-EU nationals to submit biometric data and pre-travel information, fundamentally changing how visitors from regions such as North America, the United Kingdom and Australia enter the Schengen Area, according to official EU communications and national government briefings.
EU institutions have framed the shift as a way to improve security, combat identity fraud and speed up border checks. The systems will apply at air, land and sea borders of most Schengen countries, affecting short-stay trips of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Implementation is scheduled to begin with a phased EES rollout from October 12, 2025, followed by full operation in April 2026 and a planned ETIAS launch in late 2026, according to timelines published by the European Commission and the EU’s eu-LISA agency, which manages large-scale IT systems for justice and home affairs.
Background: From Passport Stamps to Digital Border Records
The move towards digital borders has been under discussion in the European Union for more than a decade. The EES and ETIAS were formally established through EU regulations adopted in 2017 and 2018, building on earlier information systems such as the Schengen Information System (SIS), the Visa Information System (VIS) and the European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS).
Under the existing regime, most non-EU travelers entering the Schengen Area have their passports stamped manually, making it difficult for border authorities to reliably calculate how long individuals have stayed and to track overstays. The EES is intended to replace those manual stamps with an automated register of the time and place of entry and exit, linked to biometric identifiers such as fingerprints and facial images.
ETIAS, meanwhile, is modeled on systems such as the United States’ Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and Canada’s Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). It will require visa-exempt nationals – including citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and many others – to obtain online travel authorization before boarding a carrier bound for the Schengen Area. The European Commission states that ETIAS is “not a visa” but a light-touch security pre-check designed to identify potential irregular migration or security risks before travel.
Key legal and technical details are published in the Official Journal of the European Union and on the European Commission’s migration and home affairs portal (home-affairs.ec.europa.eu), as well as by eu-LISA (eulisa.europa.eu).
How the Entry/Exit System Will Work
The Entry/Exit System is a centralized database that will record the movements of non-EU nationals admitted for short stays in the Schengen Area. According to EU regulations and guidance documents, the EES will:
- Register each traveler’s name, travel document details and nationality.
- Record date, time and border crossing point of each entry and exit.
- Store a facial image and four fingerprints taken during the first EES-enabled entry.
- Automatically calculate authorized length of stay and identify overstayers.
A soft launch of the system is expected from October 12, 2025, followed by full implementation on April 10, 2026, according to timelines cited in industry briefings and official EU communications. Once fully operational, EES will cover 29 European countries, including nearly all Schengen members as well as associated states such as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
For travelers, this will mean giving fingerprints and having a facial image captured the first time they enter a Schengen country after the system goes live. Later crossings should be quicker, with border guards or automated gates verifying the biometric data against stored EES records instead of manually stamping passports. The system will apply both to travelers who need short-stay visas and those who are visa-exempt.
ETIAS: Europe’s New Pre-Travel Authorization
ETIAS will function as a mandatory online travel authorization for citizens of visa-exempt countries planning short stays in the Schengen Area. The European Commission has stated that the system is expected to become operational in the last quarter of 2026, after EES is fully in place.
According to official descriptions, applicants will complete a digital form providing personal details, passport information, travel plans and answers to security and health-related questions. The application fee has been set at €20, with exemptions for travelers under 18 and over 70. In most cases, decisions are expected to be issued within minutes via automated checks against EU information systems, though some applications may require manual review.
- Validity: three years or until passport expiry, whichever comes first.
- Scope: multiple short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- Coverage: 29 European countries applying the Schengen acquis.
- Requirement: presented to airlines, ferry companies and coach operators before boarding.
ETIAS will not apply to EU citizens, long-term residents of the EU or nationals of countries that require a full visa for the Schengen Area, who will continue to use existing visa procedures.
Country-by-Country: How Key EU States Are Preparing
While the rules are set at EU level, individual member states are responsible for adapting their border facilities, training staff and communicating with travelers. National transport ministries and border police forces have begun public information campaigns and infrastructure upgrades.
Spain: Popular Destination Moves to Biometric Entry
Spain, one of the world’s most visited countries, is integrating EES and ETIAS across major airports such as Madrid Barajas and Barcelona El Prat, as well as ferry ports frequented by British and North African travelers. Spanish authorities have indicated that non-EU visitors – for example from the United States or Australia – will undergo biometric registration during their first EES-enabled entry, enabling faster verification during subsequent trips.
Germany: Early Adopter of Digital Borders
Germany has positioned itself as an early adopter of the new systems. As a major hub for business travel, education and tourism, its airports have been expanding automated e-gates and piloting biometric technologies. German federal police briefings suggest that once EES is fully operational in April 2026, non-EU travelers will have fingerprints and facial images taken on first entry and then be able to use automated gates at subsequent crossings, subject to eligibility.
France: High-Volume Borders Under Pressure
France, which handles heavy flows of passengers via Paris airports, Channel ports and the Eurostar rail link, is preparing for significant operational changes. French authorities have indicated that non-EU visitors will be subject to biometric checks on first entry, with the aim of smoothing onward travel within the Schengen Area. Travel industry groups have urged careful coordination to avoid long queues during peak periods, especially at juxtaposed border controls like the UK–France Channel crossings.
Italy, Netherlands and Belgium: Balancing Security and Tourism
Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium are also adapting their borders. Italy is focusing on major tourist gateways such as Rome and Milan, aiming to replace manual passport stamps with biometric scans. The Netherlands, home to Amsterdam Schiphol – one of Europe’s busiest hubs – plans to be among the first to fully integrate EES and ETIAS, according to national announcements, emphasizing a balance between tourism facilitation and security. Belgium, whose airports and train stations serve EU institutions and international organizations, is updating infrastructure to ensure high-volume business and diplomatic travel can be processed efficiently.
Impact on Travelers and the Travel Industry
Travel organizations, airlines and tourism bodies broadly acknowledge that the EES and ETIAS will bring more structured border management but warn of transitional challenges. Airports Council International (ACI) Europe and airline associations have previously expressed concern that infrastructure constraints and staffing levels could lead to longer waiting times in the early phases, particularly where space for biometric kiosks is limited.
For individual travelers, the most visible changes will be:
- Longer processing times during the very first biometric enrollment under EES.
- The need to apply and pay for ETIAS authorization before boarding, once the system is live.
- Increased use of automated gates and self-service kiosks at many major airports.
- Stricter enforcement of the 90/180-day rule through automated stay calculations.
Travel trade groups have urged early communication to passengers, suggesting that travelers check official sources such as the upcoming ETIAS portal (travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en) and national government websites before booking or departing.
Privacy, Data Protection and Public Debate
The expansion of biometric data collection and large-scale databases has prompted debate among civil liberties organizations, privacy advocates and data protection authorities. Groups such as European Digital Rights (EDRi) have raised concerns about the proportionality of mass biometric registration and the risks of data breaches or misuse.
EU institutions and member states emphasize that EES and ETIAS are governed by the bloc’s data protection framework, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and specific safeguards in the founding regulations. Data will be stored for limited periods, with access restricted to authorized border and law-enforcement authorities, and individuals will have rights to access and, in some cases, correct their data.
Supporters of the new systems, including many interior ministries, argue that accurate identification and exit records will help tackle document fraud, identify overstays and support visa liberalization policies by giving governments more confidence in their ability to manage migration flows. Critics caution that increased data collection may normalize extensive surveillance of travelers and stress the need for strong oversight, transparency and independent evaluation.
Link to U.S. ESTA Changes and Social Media Screening
In parallel with Europe’s digital border reforms, travelers from countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Poland have also seen changes to entry procedures for the United States. Recent modifications to the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) have expanded the scope of information that may be requested, including optional fields relating to social media identifiers, according to statements from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
While the EU’s ETIAS and the U.S. ESTA have distinct legal bases and technical designs, both reflect a broader global trend towards pre-travel risk assessment using digital platforms. Privacy advocates have expressed concern about the collection and analysis of social media data, while U.S. authorities say the tools can help identify security threats. The EU has so far focused ETIAS on traditional identity and travel data, and there is ongoing discussion among policymakers and experts about the appropriate balance between security objectives and individual rights in both jurisdictions.
Practical Steps for Future Visitors to Europe
Travel specialists and consular services recommend that non-EU visitors planning trips from late 2025 onwards prepare for the new systems in several ways:
- Check the planned EES and ETIAS start dates close to departure using official EU and national sources.
- Ensure passports are valid well beyond the travel period to make full use of ETIAS validity once available.
- Allow extra time at airports and land borders during the first trip after EES activation to complete biometric enrollment.
- Once ETIAS is live, apply several days before travel to avoid last-minute issues.
- Monitor airline and tour operator communications, as carriers will be required to verify ETIAS status before boarding.
Up-to-date information is expected to be available on the official EU ETIAS website and via national immigration and foreign ministry pages. Travel advisories from governments such as the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the U.S. Department of State may also provide summaries for their citizens.
Outlook: Towards Fully Digital Borders by 2026
With Spain joining France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and other states in preparing for EES and ETIAS, Europe is moving towards a border regime in which digital records replace manual passport stamping and pre-travel authorizations become standard for many visitors. Supporters believe the changes will yield faster, more reliable border checks and stronger tools against irregular migration and identity fraud once the initial transition period is over. Critics highlight unresolved questions around privacy, data security and the potential for temporary disruption at busy crossing points.
How smoothly the shift unfolds will depend on factors including technical readiness, staffing levels, coordination between EU institutions and national authorities, and the clarity of public information campaigns. For now, travel experts advise that non-EU visitors planning trips to Europe in 2025 and 2026 follow developments closely and consult official guidance as timelines are confirmed and systems come online.
Related Resources
- European Commission – Migration and Home Affairs: Entry/Exit System (EES)
- European Commission – ETIAS: Official ETIAS information
- eu-LISA: Technical information on EES implementation
- Travel and Tour World: Coverage of global travel policy changes
