The introduction of the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) has raised plenty of questions among British residents living in Spain, particularly around whether they need to register under the new system and which passport control queue they should use when travelling.
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If you hold a valid Spanish TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero), the good news is that the EES does not apply to you.
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According to the European Union, holders of residence permits and long-stay visas are exempt from the Entry/Exit System. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office also confirms that long-term residents of a Schengen country are exempt from EES requirements across the Schengen Area.
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That means when returning to Spain you should present both your passport and your TIE card to border officers.
One area causing confusion is the use of automated passport e-gates.
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Because e-gates generally scan only your passport and not your residence permit, using them could incorrectly record you as a short-stay visitor rather than a legal resident. For this reason, residents should instead use a staffed passport control desk and present both documents together.
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The new Entry/Exit System is designed to replace passport stamping for non-EU short-stay visitors by digitally recording entries and exits using biometric data. It does not change the rights of legal residents in Spain.
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Whether you’re travelling this summer or later in the year, keeping your passport and TIE card together and using a manned passport control desk remains the recommended way to ensure your entry is processed correctly.
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