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 Trying to understand my situation with EES system . Entered Malta in Feb this year with no delays. In May on entry to Malaga airport the fingerprint scanner (s ) were not working . This resulted in a 1 and a half hr delay and going through the manual system. On the return journey there was no issues . I used the e gate
Does this mean by details are registered . I would like to visit in Oct but do not know if i can put up with the same delays
Hello Jim!
No, your biometric details may not be fully registered yet if the fingerprint scanners were broken and you were processed through a manual system that could not complete the electronic capture.
Because the hardware malfunctioned during your entry at Malaga, the border guards had to process you manually. If the system could not log your biometric data during that manual workaround, your profile might remain incomplete in the centralized EU database.
Using the e-gate successfully on your return journey typically means your passport was read for exit, but it does not guarantee that your fingerprints were successfully captured and linked to your file on the way in.
You may be directed to a manual desk or kiosk on your next trip to a Schengen country so border control can properly capture your fingerprints and facial image
Kind regards,
Airmalaga
Hi,
I am flying to Malaga mid Sept arriving lunchtime. In March this year I flew to Prague and although the booth didn’t work properly they took my photo and fingerprints at the passport check. As I have completed the process in Prague do I also have to register in Malaga? Or should I just do it again as I’d rather not be turned back and have to get to the end of a queue. And if I really don’t have to re-register where do I go and is there separately marked queue? If you could advise I would appreciate it. Thank you
Hi Sharon! This is what we found:
You do not need to do the full registration process again in Malaga. Because you already provided your photo and fingerprints under the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) in Prague, your data is stored centrally in a shared European database for 3 years.
The system operates across 29 European nations, meaning individual airports do not keep isolated files. Once your biometrics are in the central hub, they are instantly accessible at Malaga or any other Schengen border point.
What to Expect upon Arrival in Malaga
Even though you are already registered, you cannot completely bypass passport control. You will face a specific process depending on how the airport manages flow at lunchtime:
• The Core Rule: You will not need a complete, 5-minute first-time enrollment. Instead, you will just perform a rapid biometric verification.
• The Registration Booths/Kiosks: Malaga Airport has biometric registration machines stationed just before the main passport control lanes. You should scan your passport at one of these kiosks first. The screen will recognize your existing central profile and either prompt you for a quick facial scan/fingerprint match to verify your identity, or print a receipt directing you straight to the gates.
• The Queues: You must follow the signs for Non-EU / Third-Country National lines. There is no completely separate “previously registered” queue that lets you bypass the crowd entirely. Everyone with a non-EU passport funnels into the same primary area. However, some airports split the non-EU lines into Automated E-Gates (for quick biometric verification) and Manual Desks (for first-time registrations or complex cases). Look carefully for signage marking the E-Gates once you pass the kiosks.
Surviving the Mid-September Lunchtime Rush
Mid-September remains a high-traffic period for Costa del Sol tourism. The EU’s strict mandatory enforcement deadlines mean border officers are required to cross-check every single non-EU traveller thoroughly.
Because of this, Malaga Airport has seen substantial queues for passport control over the summer, occasionally stretching past an hour for non-EU arrivals.
Your best strategy: Walk briskly off the airplane to get ahead of the crowd from your own flight. Go directly to an available EES kiosk machine right before the passport border area. Let the screen scan your document to pull up your Prague record, and it will instruct you on whether you can hop right into the faster automated E-gate lane.
Kind regards,
Airmalaga
We will be travelling to Malaga in November. My husband is disabled and requires assistance from the plane, right through to baggage reclaim and onwards. We have always found Malaga airport extremely helpful, making this process easy and stress free. Will the assistance take the new system in to account? My husband is very slow and cannot be rushed.
Hi Sarah! Yes, Malaga Airport’s assistance service (Sin Barreras) accommodates passengers who need extra time. They provide dedicated, unhurried service from the aircraft to baggage reclaim. With new European border systems (EES) causing longer general queues, staff are trained to manoeuvre and guide slower passengers step-by-step through alternative routes.
Arriving at Malaga Airport:
• Book in Advance: Request Passenger with Reduced Mobility (PRM) assistance at least 48 hours before your trip. It is easiest to add this when booking your flights directly with the airline or travel agency.
• Specify the Needs: When booking, choose the appropriate assistance code (e.g., WCHR for those who can walk short distances but need help to the gate, or WCHC for full non-ambulatory assistance). [1]
• The Arrival Process: Your husband will be assisted off the plane last (to allow the rush to clear). He will then be provided with a wheelchair or buggy and escorted past regular queues for a smooth journey through security, passport control, and baggage reclaim.
• Specialized Systems: If your husband has a hidden disability, you can apply for the Spanish Aena Invisible Disabilities Badge online before you travel, which helps airport staff easily identify his specific support needs
For your journey back home:
The airport assistance takes the new automated Entry/Exit System (EES) into account. Passengers with reduced mobility are exempt from using the standalone EES registration kiosks. Instead, your husband will be directed to staffed border counters for manual verification.
To ensure a smooth journey at Malaga Airport, keep these key details in mind:
• Book in advance: Request the Sin Barreras (Without Barriers) service through your airline or via the Aena PRM Booking Portal at least 48 hours before your flight.
• Registration exemption: If your husband uses a wheelchair or has reduced mobility, the assistance team will guide him past the main self-service queues directly to a border officer.
• Biometric exceptions: If he has a condition that prevents fingerprint scanning or facial recognition, carry a letter from a GP explaining the circumstance.
Kind regards, Airmalaga
Hello,
I will be travelling through Malaga Airport, my flight is at 22 something, and I have a residency card from Poland, would it be possible for me to use the EU citizens queue for faster passport check or do I need to register my info in the system then pass through passport control ?
Thank you,
Hello Oussama!
If you are a non-EU citizen holding a valid Polish residency card (TIE/residencia), you must use the manual/manned (non-EU) passport control lanes. You cannot use the automatic EU citizen e-gates or queue. You do not need to register in the Entry/Exit System (EES) kiosks if your residency card exempts you, but you must carry and present both your card and your passport to the border officer.
Specific guidelines for navigating Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) with your Polish residency card include:
• At Border Control: Look for the “manuales” (manual) lanes rather than the automatic E-gates. While the EES kiosks are meant for visitors, some travellers with residency cards have reported being redirected depending on the officer on duty. Be prepared to show your passport together with your physical Polish residency card to confirm your legal residency status.
• Registration: As a resident exempt from EES, you do not need to scan your biometrics at the airport’s self-registration kiosks. Simply bypass the machines and head directly to the designated manual lane.
Kind regards,
Airmalaga
I have a UK passport and TIE. What do I need to do when I exit Spain to the UK? What do I need to do when I enter Spain from the UK?
So far I have established that I do not need an ETIAS document to enter the UK or Spain and I do not need an EES to enter the UK or the enter Spain but correct me if I am wrong!
Hello Neil,
As a resident in Spain with a valid TIE, you are exempt from both the ETIAS and the new EES (Entry/Exit System).
Here is what you need to do:
– Exiting Spain to the UK: Present your UK passport. Make sure to also show your TIE to the Spanish border police so they do not stamp your passport.
– Entering Spain from the UK: Present your UK passport alongside your valid TIE to prove your residency rights and bypass the EES registration.
Regards,
AirMalaga.com
We are flying from boston to barcelona..and will depart malaga via paris- to boston. I know we must use new entry system if barcelona, but when departing malaga what would our process be as we are flying to paris then onto the usa? when/where would be “exit”? thank you
Hello Paul!
When departing Málaga (AGP) for Boston via Paris (CDG) in 2026, your official “exit” from the Schengen Area (and thus the new EES system check) will occur in Paris (CDG), not Málaga. Málaga to Paris is an internal, borderless flight, while Paris to Boston is the external exit.
Your Process Breakdown:
• Málaga (AGP) – The “Internal” Move: You will check in, clear security, and fly to Paris (CDG) just like a domestic flight, with no passport control or EES kiosks.
• Paris (CDG) – The “Exit” Point: When arriving from Malaga, you will proceed to the non-Schengen terminal for your flight to Boston. This is where you will go through passport control.
• Exit Process (EES): Since you will have already registered your biometrics upon entry in Barcelona, you will likely only need to scan your passport and have a photo taken (or use an e-gate) to confirm your exit, according to. This replaces the old stamp.
• Timing: As EES is fully operational by April 2026, ensure you allow extra time at Paris CDG, as queues may be possible.
Kind regards,
Airmalaga
Once you’ve registered for EES on arrival do you just go straight to gates on departure ?
Hello Ian,
You won’t need to register again, but you still have to pass through the e-gates to scan and validate your passport before heading to your departure gate. It is usually a very quick process!
Kind regards,
AirMalaga.com
Can you please confirm if you have to go to registration each time you enter Malaga or can you proceed straight to the egates once you have completed biometrics once ? We fly quite regularly and the staff member said we had to Que in the long quest to register but we always had ??? Surely you should be able to proceed to egates but there is no separate Que and you have to join the long ques for registration ? Could you please clarify the process as the staff give mixed messages and leave passengers very confused and the long ques may be reduced !!!
Hello Kelly,
Here is the official rule regarding the EES (Entry/Exit System) to clarify the process:
Registration is NOT required every time: You only need to complete the full biometric registration (fingerprints and photo) once every 3 years.
Using the eGates: Once you are registered in the system, on your next trips you can proceed directly to the eGates (as long as you are using the same biometric passport). The eGate will simply do a quick facial scan to verify your identity.
Why the long queues? The issue you experienced is due to airport queue management, not the EES rules. If Malaga Airport staff do not physically separate “First-time EES” passengers from “Returning EES” passengers, everyone ends up bottlenecked in the same line.
Advice for your next trip: Look specifically for the eGates queue. If a staff member tries to direct you to the long registration line, politely but firmly inform them: “I am already registered in the EES system and just need to use the eGates.”
Regards,
AirMalaga.com
Hello Kelly!
You do not need to register your biometrics every time you enter Málaga (AGP). Once you have completed the initial enrollment (fingerprints/photo), your details are stored for up to 3 years. You can proceed directly to the e-gates on subsequent visits.
First Visit: You must use the white self-service kiosks at Málaga Airport to record your photo and fingerprints, then proceed to the e-gates.
Subsequent Visits: You can skip the registration kiosk and go straight to the e-gates (often on the right-hand side).
If E-gates are Busy: You can proceed to the manned booths.
Registration Validity: Biometric data is stored for three years or until your passport expires
Kind regards,
AirMalaga.com
Hello
We’re coming to Malaga Airport on early May. Our flight arrives in Malaga at 1305. We will need to have our photographs and fingerprints taken for the EES when we arrive, as well as the usual baggage collection etc.
Our onward train leaves Málaga María Zambrano station at 1640 – so we have about 5 and a half hours to get through passport control, get the EES registration done, collect our baggage and get from the airport to Málaga María Zambrano station. Will this be enough time? We are worried about being delayed and missing our train.
Thank you,
Hello Mark,
Based on the times provided, you have about three and a half hours, so there is no need to worry. After completing the EES registration and collecting your baggage, the trip to Maria Zambrano station takes under 30 minutes.
Kind regards,
AirMalaga.com
Hello, my wife and I are both Non EU, however we are resident in Spain and have been for over 10 years. We have been advised that we can use the EU queues, is this advice correct ?
Also is there any fast track in passport control, we are flying business class with Turkish Air Malaga to Istanbul in mid April
Hello Andrew!
Yes, as long-term residents in Spain holding a TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero), you can generally use the EU passport queue at Malaga airport, but you must use a manned desk rather than the automated e-gates. Present your TIE card along with your passport to prove your residency status.
There is no official paid “fast track” for passport control. But you can purchase a “Fast Track” pass for quicker security screening. It´s available on the AENA website for approximately 11 € per person.
Kind regards, Airmalaga
I’m travelling with my family on uk passport into Malaga for holiday soon. I have a baby under one how does it work with a child?
Hi Ruth! Please check this question with the official sources in your country: https://www.gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad
In general, travelling to Malaga with a baby under one requires a UK passport for the child, the other parent’s consent if travelling solo, and extra documents like a birth certificate, especially if surnames differ.
Specifically, we found this information:
Key Requirements:
Passport: Your baby must have their own UK passport.
Consent Letters: If you are not travelling with the child’s other parent, you must carry a letter of consent from them to avoid issues with Spanish border authorities.
Proof of Relationship: Carry the baby’s birth certificate to prove you are the parent, particularly if your surname is different from the baby’s.
Airport Security (Liquids): You can carry more than 100ml of baby milk, sterilized water, or baby food, generally up to 2 litres.
EES Registration: Malaga Airport is introducing the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES). You may need to provide fingerprints or a photo at the border.
Tips for Travel:
E-Gates: You likely cannot use the e-gates with a baby, so prepare for the manual passport control queue.
Documentation: Keep all documents, including the consent letter and birth certificate, in your hand luggage for easy access.
Name Differences: A marriage or divorce certificate is useful if your surname differs from the child’s.
Kind regards, Airmalaga
I am concerned about the finger printing. Do they take fingerprints of both hands? I had to have a finger amputated on one of my hands and wonder if this will delay me and my family at the airport?
Hi Jennifer!
It is understandable to be concerned about this, but you do not need to worry about being delayed due to an amputation. Malaga Airport (AGP) has procedures in place for such situations.
This is what we found regarding your situation:
Fingerprinting Procedure and Amputations
Both Hands? The new EES scanners typically ask for four fingers from your right hand.
Exemption for Amputation: According to EU regulations (Article 17), persons for whom fingerprinting is physically impossible are exempt from the requirement.
What to Do: If you cannot provide a full set of fingerprints on one hand, alert a member of staff, who will make a note in the system. The machine will still accept your passport and take your photograph, which is the primary form of identification.
No Significant Delay: While the new system can cause longer queues, staff are used to handling exceptions, and you will not be held up specifically because of the amputation.
Tips for a Smooth Experience
Inform Staff: If you are nervous, you can proactively tell a border guard or staff member at the machines that you have a physical exemption due to an amputation.
Use Other Hand: The machine will simply take prints from your other hand or just your thumb/index finger if available.
Kind regards,
Airmalaga.com
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
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.
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!
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
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 ?
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