SPANISH airports are set to implement new border rules aimed at supporting thousands of holidaymakers after more than a fortnight of chaos sparked by the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES).
Spanish airport operator Aena has told staff to allow vulnerable passengers to skip lengthy passport queues if waits for biometric machines exceed 25 minutes, according to reports.
The new mandate will impact British families with young children and people with disabilities, who will now be fast-tracked to passport control if queues are too long.
Travellers across Europe have faced lengthy delays since EES machines were officially turned on at all entries to the Schengen zone on April 10.
The EES replaces human-controlled passport stamps with automatic facial recognition and fingerprint scans, digitally recording all entries and exits to and from the borderless zone.
Significant disruption has impacted airports from Madrid to Barcelona and Tenerife, with the volume of passengers arriving at busy times often outweighing the capacity of new machines.
Huge queues have also been reported in Portugal and the Netherlands.
The digital scheme applies to all non-EU citizens entering the Schengen zone, including British passport holders.
After the initial registration, future crossings should be quicker – unless a passport has changed or long gaps have passed between entries.
Officials say the new system will strengthen security, cut fraud and ensure visitors stick to the 90 days allowed within any 180-day period.
Expats living in Spain are being urged to travel prepared.
Carrying proof of accommodation, a ticket out of Schengen, travel insurance and evidence of funds could be vital to avoid hold-ups.
The EU has warned that overstaying will be far easier to detect once EES is live.
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Your comments about Expats living in Spain appears to be inconsistent with other Olive Press articles
Can you clarify please