Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, and Ireland to Implement Major Travel Security Overhaul, Affecting British Tourists from October 2025 – Travel And Tour World

Starting October 2025, Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, and Ireland will introduce new travel security measures impacting British tourists at borders.

A major shift in travel regulations will impact British tourists heading to Spain and other EU nations starting in October 2025.

The UK Foreign Office has issued a travel warning for British nationals planning a trip to Spain, as significant changes are set to take effect in the European Union’s (EU) entry rules. From October 2025 onwards, UK holidaymakers will need to register biometric data, including fingerprints and a facial photograph, upon arrival at Spanish borders.

These new requirements are part of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), a measure designed to bolster border security across the EU and its neighboring regions. The system aims to prevent overstays and curb illegal immigration within the Schengen Area. Originally planned for rollout last year, the system has been delayed and will now be implemented in October, replacing the current method of passport stamping with biometric verification.

The Foreign Office updated its travel advisory for Spain this week, informing UK tourists about the expected changes, which may lead to longer wait times at border control.

Upon entering the Schengen Area for the first time, UK visitors will need to create a digital record, including fingerprint and facial data, at the airport or port of arrival. Although this may cause delays initially, British travelers will not need to submit any details prior to their trip to the Schengen zone.

Once registered, the digital record will be valid for three years, allowing travelers to simply provide their fingerprints or photo at border control during future visits to Schengen countries.

The EU defines “non-EU nationals” as travelers from countries outside the European Union and certain other European nations, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. “Short stays” are considered up to 90 days within a 180-day period, a period calculated across all Schengen nations using the EES.

The system will track entries, exits, and refusals electronically, though passports will still be manually stamped for travelers arriving in Cyprus and Ireland, which are part of the EU but do not use the system.

This digital tracking system will be enforced across the 29 countries in the Schengen Area, including top tourist destinations like Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, and Greece.

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