Canary Islands Partido Popular Calls for Suspension of EU Entry-Exit System
The Partido Popular (PP) in the Canary Islands have announced plans to submit a proposal urging the Spanish government to temporarily suspend the EU’s Entry-Exit System (EES) across the archipelago’s airports.
The move comes after growing concerns over long queues, delays, and congestion affecting passengers arriving from non-EU countries.
According to PP representatives, the current situation is already damaging the visitor experience and could harm the islands’ reputation as a leading holiday destination.
What is the EU Entry-Exit System (EES)?
The European Union’s Entry-Exit System (EES) is a biometric border control system designed to digitally register travellers from non-EU countries.
It replaces traditional passport stamping with:
- Fingerprint and facial recognition data
- Automated tracking of entry and exit dates
- Improved monitoring of overstays
The system is part of a broader EU strategy to strengthen border security and modernize migration management. However, its rollout has faced technical challenges and delays, particularly in high-traffic tourist regions.
Why the PP wants the system suspended
The Canary Islands PP argues that the implementation of the EES is not yet fit for purpose in the region.
They highlight several key issues:
- Excessive waiting times at airport border controls
- Overcrowding in arrival areas, especially during peak travel periods
- Operational bottlenecks due to insufficient infrastructure and staffing
The party has warned that tourists are facing unacceptable conditions, with some reports describing passengers waiting for extended periods after landing.
Tourism concerns at the center of the debate
Tourism is the backbone of the Canary Islands’ economy, making the issue particularly sensitive.
The PP stresses that:
- Negative first impressions can affect repeat visits
- Delays may push tourists toward competing destinations
- The situation could impact airlines and travel operators
Given the islands’ heavy reliance on British and other non-EU visitors, any disruption at border control points is seen as a serious economic risk.
Legal basis for suspending the EES
The PP’s proposal is based on provisions within EU regulations that allow temporary suspension of the system under specific circumstances.
These include:
- Technical failures or system instability
- Situations where passenger volumes cause excessive delays
- Operational challenges that compromise efficiency
According to the party, current conditions in several Canary Islands airports meet these criteria.
Comparisons with other tourist destinations
The Partido Popular has also pointed to actions taken in other European tourist hotspots, where authorities have introduced flexibility measures to prevent airport disruptions.
This comparison is intended to underline the risk that the Canary Islands could lose competitiveness if similar steps are not taken.
What happens next?
The PP plans to bring the proposal before the Canary Islands Parliament, seeking support from other political groups to formally request action from Madrid.
If approved, the initiative would call for a temporary halt to the EES until operational issues are resolved and passenger flow improves.
The push by the Partido Popular in the Canary Islands highlights a growing challenge across Europe: how to implement advanced border technology without disrupting travel.
As the EU continues to modernize its systems, regions like the Canary Islands must ensure that efficiency keeps pace with innovation—especially when their economies depend so heavily on tourism.
Whatever does happen next, its encouraging to know that the comfort and enjoyment of people visiting Lanzarote are at the forefront of this proposal.
