Date Published: 23/06/2025

Changes afoot as Corvera Airport finalises biometric border controls for UK and non-EU passengers

Facial recognition and fingerprint scanners to replace passport stamps from October

The Region of Murcia’s International Airport in Corvera finishing the set-up of its new biometric border control system for non-EU travellers from October 2025, in line with an EU-wide rollout that attempts to ‘modernise and streamline’ passport checks for those entering or leaving the Schengen area.

Entry-Exit System (EES) arrives in Corvera

The new Entry-Exit System (EES), a European initiative, will replace the manual stamping of passports for short-stay non-EU nationals with automated registration using facial images and fingerprint data. These biometric controls will apply to travellers entering or leaving Spain through Corvera Airport for trips of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Passengers will encounter a series of digital checkpoints at the airport, where they will scan their passports, provide fingerprints and have their facial photo taken. The system will record their exact entry and exit dates to ensure compliance with stay limits and improve overall border security.

Which destinations are affected?

Travellers flying to or arriving from countries outside the EU and Schengen zone will need to use the new EES machines. At Corvera, this includes most flights to and from the United Kingdom and Morocco, including:

Manchester
London Gatwick
London Stansted
London Luton
Birmingham
Bristol
East Midlands
Bournemouth
Glasgow
Nador (Morocco) and other seasonal Moroccan destinations

Flights within the EU, such as those to Belgium, Ireland and the new service to Marseille launching this July, are not affected by this new control system.

Read also: Complete list of summer flight destinations for 2025 at Murcia Corvera Airport

The Regional Ministry of Development and Infrastructures, led by Jorge García Montoro, confirmed that preparations are well underway, with the necessary equipment being installed in coordination with Spain’s National Police and airport operator Aena. The Ministry of the Interior is also involved to ensure there are enough trained agents to operate and support the system.

The aim, according to the European Parliament, is to “improve security, speed up border controls and reduce queues” across EU airports.

British travellers will be the main users of this EES System

British visitors continue to represent the bulk of international traffic at Corvera Airport. In 2024, nearly 60% of the airport’s total passengers were travelling to or from the UK, and the first five months of 2025 already show a 4.6% year-on-year increase in international traffic.

With such high volumes of British passengers, the majority of Corvera’s international users will be required to pass through the EES process for all future trips.

What travellers need to know

Passengers subject to the new checks should ensure their passport is in good condition for scanning. They will then follow a straightforward process involving:

Scanning their passport
Providing several fingerprints
Having a facial photo taken

The system will then record their entry or exit and automatically monitor their allowed stay. It will be up to each individual to respect the 90-day limit in a 180-day window to avoid penalties. Travellers will also need to repeat the process on departure to confirm their exit from the Schengen area.

Looking ahead: European tourist tax coming in 2026

In addition to the EES rollout, UK and other visa-exempt travellers will soon need to apply for ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. This €7 authorisation, expected to be in force from late 2026 or early 2027, will be valid for three years and required for entry into Schengen countries.

Authorities in Murcia believe the charge is unlikely to deter visitors. “The amount is small and the validity of this authorisation will be for 3 years, so we do not estimate that it will have a negative impact on tourist flows,” said a spokesperson from the regional Ministry of Tourism, led by Carmen Conesa.

They also noted that similar systems already exist in countries like the United States (e.g. ESTA), and experience suggests that such measures do not present a significant obstacle to travel.

Spanish and European citizens (minus those carrying an Irish passport) travelling to the UK already have to pay a £16 visa waiver known as ETA to allow them to enter the country.

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Shuttle bus connecting Corvera Airport with key destinations

Airport Buses Murcia Airport transfer service

Started on May 22, 2025, Airport Buses has a daily shuttle transfer service connecting the Region of Murcia International Airport with key destinations across Murcia, southern Alicante and Almería, every time there is a direct flight between Corvera Airport and a destination in the UK or Ireland, plus selected European flights.

Three initial routes serve:

La Manga route: Murcia Airport, Cabo de Palos, Playa Honda, Capfun, Mar de Cristal, Los Belones, La Manga Club, Cartagena and La Manga Strip (€12.99-€19.99/adult each way)
Torrevieja route: Murcia Airport, Torre Pacheco, Las Terrazas de La Torre Golf Resort, La Torre Golf Resort, Roldan, ONA Mar Menor Golf Resort, Los Alcázares, Los Narejos, San Javier, Santiago de Ribera, Lo Pagán, San Pedro de Pinatar, Pilar de Horadada, Campoamor, La Zenia, Playa Flamenca, Mil Palmeras, Cabo Roig and Torrevieja (€8.99-€19.99/adult each way)
San Juan route: Murcia Airport, Condado de Alhama, Camposol, Mazarrón Country Club, Puerto de Mazarrón, Mazarrón, Águilas, Calarreona, San Juan de los Terreros and Mar de Pulpí (€13.99-€25.99/adult each way)

Airport Buses aims to offer affordable, reliable transport while considering future expansions, including routes to Alicante Airport and additional stops across Murcia.

Children’s tickets are half price and there are also group discounts available.