Fully understood (I’m not a resident) ….. however some posting on here seem to think that exemption from EES as a resident means exemption from joining a queue 😃

Quite.

The 2 things aren't mutually exclusive.

My thoughts on that they only miss the queue if a border official tells them to which happens sometimes when the queue gets out of control. The only difference for those of us with TIE's is we dont need to use the EES machines we present our passport and TIE at the non EU border control.

Don't the EES machines require biometric registration and also store your travel details? Neither of which relates to foreigners who are long-term passholders as far as I understand?

The link i put on post 87 which is Spanish Government link states that those registered with TIE are exempted from the EES System. To use the EES gates it is set up to scan passports registered previously at EES machines, unless the EES gate can scan a TIE? it wouldnt surely allow us access. I have travelled a couple of times from Malaga airport during this roll out period and been directed and had no problem by ignoring the EES registration machines and going to manual booth where passport and TIE checked no stamps no issues. I will continue doing the same unless told otherwise by officials at the airport.

Hello

Been reading through this thread, but I just don't understand.

My wife and I, are both British, we live in Britain and have British passports. I also have an Irish passport and my wife has an Italian passport. We use the EU passports when on holiday in Europe.

We have booked a two holiday to Gran Canaria in May.

I understand the rules are not changing for Irish passports, but will my wife need a visa if she tries to enter the UK using her Italian passport?

Thank you

That's unrelated to this thread - there's another on that specific topic here : New Rule for British dual nationals - must travel on UK passport

Thank you I've posted in the other thread

Makes perfect sense ...... reading between the lines of these and posts on other threads and forums there seems to be subtle differences in how passengers are processed (and queued) at different ports. Possibly based on the volume of passengers of various types.

Edit .... Ive just researched this further and it seems to be the case that at some ports the machines are used as a filter to determine who is who before the EES process kicks in for those that it applies to.

Just this evening we have arrived back at Malaga airport from uk. The passport reading machines were in operation very view using them, presumably people that already scanned and registered via EES scanners? There was a large queue other side for those having passports stamped. We joined that queue got to control handed over passport and TIE which they checked handed them back and through. On the way out the border official had asked when I would be returning as my TIE runs out 19 February, I told him i was returning to Spain before it ran out and that i had an appointment made to renew it, he was happy with that. Tonight i half expected a comment re that but nothing.

Things going to get a lot tougher?

https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/02/1...-travel-rules/

Not for full-time brits, they should be residents by now.

But for part-time brits, the border will be subject to "computer says no" syndrome.

For any full time Brits who havent sorted out their residency then they are masters of their own destiny. I can't have any sympathy . In reality if one gets the TIE card then living in Spain and travelling outside of Spain for holidays I dont find any different other than longer in a queue brought about because our country left the EU. I initially had the green card and did keep it a while but I could see it may become a problem so changed it for TIE which was easy enough. I would suggest for peace of mind anyone who still has green card would be better off changing it for a TIE. If someone is still living under the radar not sorted out any form of residency tough, sort it out.

I would think the real answer to all this crap is (for those who qualify) is to take Spanish citizenship.

But (even though I qualify) as I don't travel a lot and have always hated 'exams' I won't be taking my own advice but have friends who have gone for it.

To be fair I don't see the need to take citizenship over obtaining a TIE for most of us that move to live in Spain. I can see for some it would make sense younger people who marry Spaniards with children etc . For me I am quite happy being British , legally resident in Spain pay what taxes etc I owe and enjoy what's left of my life, I can't actually see how being a Spanish citizen would improve my life? The legal bit is the main thing in my view