At Malaga airport has come into effect a passport control system called Entry/Exit System, short EES.
We tell you all about you it so you can plan your next trip to and from Malaga smoothly.
New border controls in the EU
We already discussed in a previous article the changes that will be implemented during late 2025 and 2026 for travellers from outside the Schengen Area who want to travel to our sunny Costa del Sol.
ETIAS
You can find all the information about these changes in our article ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System).
Without this mandatory document, you will not be able to cross the border of your destination country, and the authorities may deny you access.
Entry/Exit System (EES)
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay. The system does not apply to EU or Schengen citizens.
The EES captures data from passports, including the photograph, fingerprints, and the date and place of entry or exit, replacing the traditional manual stamping of passports with digital registration.
For this purpose, border crossings are equipped with special IT devices that scan the data from these documents and automatically capture the remaining identification data. This system is implemented through an Automated Border Control (ABS).
During this six-month transition period, the EES will be used in parallel with the traditional manual stamping of passports, which will be discontinued once the system is fully operational. The new procedure supposedly will reduce waiting times at checkpoints, provide reliable data on border crossings, and enable the identification of individuals who have exceeded the maximum permitted stay.
For frequent travellers, biometric data will only be collected the first time, making border crossings faster and smoother in the future.
- If you are a UK resident in Spain with a valid TIE, you are exempt from EES.
- To find out more, visit gov.uk/entry-exit-system
- Everything about the EES: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/en/ees
Automated Border Control at Malaga Airport
So, what is now this new passport control system at Malaga airport?
This is a fully automated and digitalized control system. In other words, there will no longer be staffed checkpoints for travellers from outside the Schengen Area arriving at Terminal 2 of Malaga Airport.
The system has been installed at the airport’s Terminal T2 and T3. At Terminal 2 you will currently find three unattended documentation control devices and one gate with fingerprint biometric identification. Terminal T3 has four control devices and two gates.
What does it involve?
The ABC (Automated Border Control) system verifies the passenger’s documentation and checks their identity by analysing the passenger’s biometric parameters.
Supposedly thus can be long avoided waits and lines and at the same time improving security.
How does it work?
Travellers must insert their electronic DNI or Passport into a terminal. You will also have to register your fingerprints and facial features (Biometric register).
Once this check has been passed, travellers head to the exit check gate. There is also has a sensor that will verify the person’s fingerprints again in order to provide access.
British citizens
This situation primarily affects British citizens since Brexit, as they are now required to undergo passport checks like travellers from other non-EU countries.
British authorities also urge their residents in Spain to obtain the appropriate document — the TIE — to prove residency.
Grey theory?
Well, the theory is so far so good.
We are echoing several local news reports and social media posts from travellers who have recently encountered a very different reality at Malaga airport.
In fact, over the last days the new passport control system at Malaga Airport has been causing quite a stir. There have been reported long queues for the new passport control system at Malaga Airport.
Travellers complained that they had to wait over an hour to get through. Especially affected were British residents in Malaga. Many expats reported being unsure whether to join the EU lane – as legal residents of Spain – or the non-EU queue, which is now controlled by the Automated Border Control.
Several people affected have pointed to the tense situation that has arisen due to the fear of many passengers of being stuck in the long queue and missing their flight.
- Allow extra time for queues and arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare. While some airports have integrated the system more quickly, at Malaga Airport you may encounter long queues depending on the day and time. To be on the safe side, allow approximately one hour for waiting.
- Arm yourself with patience: The EES may experience glitches and other technical difficulties in its early stages. It’s important to arrive early and anticipate potential confusion, problems, or lengthy procedures.
- Have your TIE (physical card that proves legal residence in Spain for non-EU foreigners) and passport on hand.
- Also bring documentation that proves the validity of your trip (hotel reservation, return ticket and insurance).
- Upon entering for the first time, you may have your fingerprints and a digital photograph of your face taken, which requires additional time.
Did you already have “your encounter” with the new system at Malaga Airport? How was your experience? Lets us know in the comments section!
Hi,
We experienced severe queues and chaos when leaving Malaga 13th November around 10.30 am. The queue expended through Duty Free! We scanned our passports at the white machines and registered successfully. We were then told to proceed to the E Gates – but where were they? We asked the airport staff who were helping manage the queue and were just told that we had to go to the back of the very long queue! No signs to say where the E Gates are situated and no help from any Police / Airport staff. We have been travelling to Malaga for over 50 years, but will never use this airport again.
Hello Steve,
Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re sorry to hear about the long queues and confusion at Málaga Airport — the E-Gates area can indeed become chaotic, especially when signage and staff guidance are limited.
As airport procedures are managed by the authorities, these issues are unfortunately outside travellers’ control, but your feedback is very valuable for others planning their trip.
We hope your next visit to Málaga is much smoother.
Best regards,
AirMalaga.com
hi could you tell where on arrivals the new ees registration machines are please
many thanks tony
Hello Tony! The new EES registration machines at Malaga Airport are located just before passport control, in the area leading towards gates A, B, and C. You can find them opposite the WH Smiths shop. After scanning your passport at one of these machines, you will proceed to the E-Gates to complete the process.
Best regards,
AirMalaga.com
thank you. before you go down the stairs ?
Do we wait for a boarding gate to be notified before joining the queue? So non EU persons should use the e gates? I intend going to Malaga airport 2 1/2 hours before departure will I be able to process passport control e-gates? Please advise, thanking you in advance.
Hello Stuart! Please do not wait to be notified about the boarding gate.
Often, the boarding gate isn’t announced until 20 minutes before departure or changes at the last minute. When you arrive at the airport, head straight to the e-gates.
For flights outside the Schengen Area, it’s recommended to arrive at the airport 2 to 3 hours before departure. Since we continue to receive reports of huge queues and complications, we recommend arriving well in advance, just in case.
Kind regards,
AirMalaga.com
Hi thanks for your response, on a follow up do we go to EES to input information then go the gates or join the queue for non EU citizens after we have input our details? Your response will be much appreciated.
Stuart
Can someone kindly answer the points I raised on my last comment. Thanking you in advance, I fly tomorrow.
Do I go straight to the non EU gates and wait in the queue or do I go through the electronic gates. When arriving in Malaga on the 3rd. November I came straight through the gates without uploading data onto the EES input terminals and my passport was stamped. Stuart
Hi Stuart! We can understand perfectly that this situation is annoying. This is the official information we found.
Procedures for non-EU travelers at Málaga Airport (AGP)
Departure procedures
Arrival at the airport: It is recommended to arrive 2-3 hours in advance for international flights.
Check-in: Go to your airline’s check-in counter to check your baggage and collect your boarding pass.
Security screening: Proceed through security.
Passport control: Present your valid passport at passport control. The EES replaces passport stamping with biometric digital registration. A photograph and fingerprints will be taken.
You might also find useful the Malaga Airport Guidesystem
Have a good flight back home and we would love you to share your experience of the Departure procedures, this surely would help a lot other travellers.
Best regards, Airmalaga
We flew into Malaga airport on 5th December registered without any problem and exited using E gates. We were so relieved after being informed that was it, we did not need to register again as biometrics had been successfully captured. On our return journey, we were then told the opposite , we had to register for EVERY flight♀️ We were unable to register…machines just not working. We joined a very angry crowd of travellers ant passport control and only just caught our flight home. Twenty of our fellow passengers missed their flight. I estimate that around 100 passengers will have missed their flights on the morning of 12th December. It was Mayhem! Can anyone help us understand. Do we need to register for every flight? We fly into Malaga airport once a month so are becoming extremely concerned… it is not a nice experience. My husband now wants to sell our property!
We were flying from Malaga to Prestwick with Ryanair on Friday 12th December at 10:45. We were in the pass port control queue for 1 hour and 15 minutes, and requested twice during that time to be prioritised as our flight time/gate closure was getting closer. We were only allowed to go to the top queue at 10:10 but they(Polizia) were then allowing “specials” through and there were many, before us who had been queueing so long already. Others around us were on our flight too and another behind us on the Bristol flight. We all missed the flight as the gate closed at 10:15, having run to Gate B22 after the passports were checked. . Around 40 people missed this flight and others missed the Bristol flight too. It was very very bad, no staff to help and the 2 there told us they’d let us go to the top q when it was last call for our flight. But there are no last calls at passport control, only at the gate!! we joined the q at 9:00.
Arrived today from uk. Had read up about the Was process and there were lots of stations available. However, I would day 9 out of 10 people failed to get registered due to finger printing glitch. I tried on 4 different stations without success. There were 100s in the same situation and the queue was massive. What a nighmare.
Dear Barbara,
We are very sorry to hear about the chaotic start to your holiday. We understand how exhausting it is to face technical issues and long queues immediately after landing. We hope everything went better after that.
Kind regards,
AirMalaga.com