The Government of Spain has completed the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES), a change that ends the manual stamping of passports and establishes mandatory biometric control.
And now, travelers from outside the European Union must also have the approved ETIAS authorization to cross the border.
This extreme digitalization seeks to monitor stay periods in real time and automatically detect those who exceed the allowed 90 days, under threat of fines reaching 10,000 euros and a ban on entry into the Schengen area.
The new requirements: ETIAS and economic solvency
For citizens of visa-exempt third countries (such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador or Argentina), the big news is the ETIAS.
This digital permit costs 7 euros, is valid for three years and is essential for boarding. Without this updated ‘paper’, airlines face penalties of up to 100,000 euros, which guarantees strict control before taking off.
In addition to authorization, travelers must prove strong financial solvency: a minimum of €118.40 per person per day. Customs officers no longer accept only verbal declarations, but also require recent bank statements or verification on site through mobile banking applications.
The end of ‘free passage’ in Europe
Added to all this is that even for citizens of the European Union, the scenario has changed. Invoking “national security” reasons, Spain has consolidated random checks on land borders with France and Portugal, technically suspending the spirit of absolute freedom of the Schengen Treaty.
A driver’s license or photocopies are no longer enough; The automatic gate system (ABC Gates) blocks passage to any individual whose ID or passport does not have a valid chip. Failure to carry the original document can result in fines of 600 euros and transportation to the police station for identification.
And it should be noted that the EES system records fingerprints and facial photography, eliminating the margin of error of the old ink stamps. This exhaustive control pursues “irregular stay tourism” with a severe sanctioning regime that can result in fines of up to €10,000 or even immediate expulsion.