Spain Delays EU Entry/Exit System at Andorra Border to April 2026

Spain has delayed the full implementation of the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) at the Riu Runer border with Andorra until early April 2026, aligning with the EU's revised timeline and preventing disruptions to the winter tourism season, Justice and Interior Minister Ester Molné confirmed during the government's Christmas briefing with media on Tuesday in Andorra la Vella.

Molné stated that her Spanish counterpart, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, recently notified her of the postponement, reversing Spain's October announcement of a February launch. She attributed the decision to strong bilateral relations and diplomatic outreach by Andorra's State Secretariat for Relations with the European Union. "The contacts with Spain have borne fruit and taken our requests into account," Molné said, adding that the move allows the winter season to conclude "with total normality." Work permit denials due to non-compliance with EU requirements remain at around 10%, primarily for seasonal positions lacking valid Schengen status.

Negotiations for an EES framework tailored to Andorra's position outside the EU but within Schengen are at an advanced stage, though formal closure awaits year-end due to a proposed exclusion clause covering similar non-EU Schengen states sharing territory. This requires review by the EU's Council Working Party on Frontiers in January 2026. Head of Government Xavier Espot described it as a "mere formality," noting that substantive agreements are secured and bilateral arrangements with Spain and France will be ready by April. Closer EU integration promises enhanced security through Schengen database access, better immigration screening, and improved police-judicial cooperation against cross-border crime.

The border deal explicitly avoids systematic checks on non-EU tourists or residents to prevent overload. Immigration processes will adapt, possibly causing brief delays, but businesses should face minimal interruption. Molné outlined potential provisional authorizations for urgent staffing needs and promoted origin-country hiring with pre-screened security checks. Spain's rollout will be gradual, starting at select airports with parallel systems amid the technology's novelty.

Business representatives expressed relief. Iago Andreu, director of the Andorran Business Confederation (CEA), said the delay "confirms no border issues," reducing economic strain during high winter traffic. Companies had already ensured seasonal hires met Schengen rules, avoiding excess scrutiny. Andreu saw it as evidence of Spanish confidence in Andorra's preparations, while CEA president Gerard Cadena emphasized ongoing origin-country recruitment and acceptance that Schengen compliance is non-negotiable moving forward. "The restrictions are what they will be next year and beyond," Andreu noted.