Menorca Travel Advice 2026

with AIRPORT EES updates

Menorca Travellers Advice

EES in operation at Mahon Airport on arrival and departure

Updated June 1 2026 disclaimer : Actual experiences can change based on tech. issues, staff shortages, passenger volume/time of day
Menorca Travel Advice
Smoothing your Menorca holiday travel plans

Menorca Airport EES

The EES System is in operation at Mahon Airport (MAH). It is NOT the same as ETIAS(visa) - EES vs ETIAS.

EES Quick Overview

🇬🇧 What changes for UK passport holders

Since the UK is no longer in the EU, you’re treated as a visa-free third-country visitor. This means:

  • You must use EES
  • Your trips are digitally tracked
  • The 90/180-day stay Schengen rule is automatically monitored on ENTRY AND EXIT
  • You can use e-gates to enter/exit Menorca

ARRIVALS with UK passports

from a NON Schengen country eg United Kingdom
Registration required?

if you have ePassport/biometric passport You will be directed on arrival to a passport scanner, if not to a manned border desk.

Scanner will check if you need to register any new EES data ie facial scan / fingerprints

Arrivals Advice

DEPARTURES with UK passports

to NON Schengen country eg United Kingdom
USE EEE TERMINALS!

To record 90/180 rule data your will need to use self-service EES terminals in Departures Lounge - DO BEFORE going to final boarding E-gate

There will be banks of EES terminals in departure lounge ( just after Duty Free)

  • Replaces manual passport checking & stamping by a border guard
EES Departures and Advice

EES Menorca - additional information

Do I need a new passport?

No, but new UK passports will be an ePassort which can automate border identity checks.

TIP Before travel check if your party each has a ePassort/biometric passport. EES automates part of the Border control process and may help you avoid longer queues. Border staff may still stop you and ask questions.

Do I need a Passport with a chip (ePassort/biometric passport) to enter Menorca?

No, you can still cross the border using a non-biometric passport by going through a staffed border control desk - staff will direct you.

First time you enter Menorca maybe be slower if your Biometric data requires capturing - subsequent uses quicker as it's stored ( after 3 years needs renewing ) .

Video of ESS terminals and how they work
ESS at Menorca Airport
EES Scanners at Airport
eGates
eGates example
ESS Menorca Airport
Passport with chip

Travelling to Menorca - what to expect?

By air Menorca has a modern Airport, that just works very pleasantly on a personal scale - no great distances and good facilities too.

Most people arrive by Air - our Menorca Airport guide will help with mobility and assistance services, Shops , Mother & baby facilities, Smokers lounge etc. Menorca Travel by Ferry. With regards to Airport arrivals there are no public or scheduled shuttle services so please checkout our guide to Taxi and Airport Transfers.

Passport validity and Foreign Travel Advice

It's your responsibility to check your passport validity and the Foreign Travel Advice for the countries you will be travelling to.

Powered by GetYourGuide

EES biometric Passport & Security checks for non EU citizens travelling to Menorca

Exceptions are persons with a legal right to stay (long-stay visas or residence) in Menorca
EES at Menorca Airport EES biometric entry and exit scheme

Known as EES scheme, or Entry/Exit System, Biometric scanning will be required - It replaces manual passport stamping with automated self-service terminals that collect biometric data ( Face and FOUR fingerprints ) , to track entries and exits to Menorca ( Schengen Area ).

Non EU citizens travelling to Menorca will be subject to EES and failure to comply will mean your entry is refused.

EES Biometric Data

Check if you have a passport with a biometric chip ( an ePassport ) - how to check If not you will have to use manned border checks (possible queues).

Biometric registration: You will need to register your data at a self-service terminal, which will take a facial image and four fingerprints ( under 12s exempt from fingerprints ) - there is no cost for EES registration.
Data Collected: Your name, travel document data, and the date and place of entry/exit will be recorded.
Purpose: The EES replaces the old system of manually stamping passports to prevent irregular migration and overstays (90/180-day rule).
Data storage: Your data will be stored for three years. After which you need to re-register on entry again.

🔄 EES vs ETIAS

EES is separate from ETIAS:

  • EES = border system (records your trips)
  • ETIAS = pre-travel authorisation (like a visa waiver)

Manned Border desks

Will still be available in Arrivals/Departures. Staff may carry out manual checks or/and help take EES facial scans/fingerprints.

Airport Transfers to book

EES Menorca Airport and Families

Note that operational circumstances may mean the process can change at short notice! eg EES registration/checks temporarily suspended, Queues too long!

EES Biometrics for Children

Children under 12 do not need to provide fingerprints but MUST provide facial scans where possible.

However, families with young children ( under 12 ) may often be directed straight to manned desks where officials assist with youngsters, babies and toddlers (photo scans ) or do manual checks against passport photos.

Quick Guide

Family with ANY children under 12

Proceed to a manned border desk to complete EES registration/status check

Family with children 12 and older

EES data already registered? proceed to available e-gates on arrival/departure.

EES data NOT registered proceed to available EES selfserve terminals in Arrivals Hall/Departures Lounge

Children under 12 are often not permitted / cannot use e-Gates Airport staff are available to make sensible decisions and find alternatives eg manual checks as done pre EES - see tips below and Additional Circumstances ( be aware this might cause families with two parents to be split up!)

EES family regulations Every family member ,from newborns to teenagers, needs to complete age suitable biometric checks/registration at EU borders ie Menorca.

IMPORTANT Single Parents, Parent traveling alone and travel with a child's friend - take letter confirming permission to travel with the child/children from non-travelling parent/guardian - BRITISH LAW

Make sure every child has:

  • A valid UK passport issued within the last 10 years
  • At least three months’ validity remaining after the planned departure date from Menorca / EU
  • Their own passport, as children cannot travel on a parent’s passport

EES and ARRIVALS - updates and advice

TIPs

Strollers will rarely be delivered until AFTER you reach baggage claim which means carrying tired youngsters in potential EES queues. Keep water, snacks also maybe a phone powerbank!

EES and DEPARTURES - updates and advice

EES checks are required on departure either self-serve ( EES Terminal + e-gate ) or at manned border guard kiosks - Don't confuse REGISTERING scans and CHECKING!, which MUST happen whenever you cross an EU border ( entry AND EXIT ) with a UK passport.

DO NOT WAIT for flights to be called- DO NOT rely on GOOGLE etc to show departures/gates USE THE PHYSICAL screens in the AIRPORT!!!!

Departure gates and Border security checks

Boarding gates to non schengen zone ie UK will be allocated to gates 10-16 which are behind e-gates and a few border ( 4 ) guard kiosks with advisory lanes ( & staff ) to guide you these lanes:

  • e-Gates EU passport holders and EES registered UK passport holders
  • Families with childen under 12
Sequence
  • 1. Bags Check-in
  • 2. Proceed to hand-luggage security
  • 3. Pass through Duty Free area
  • 4. TIP find a EES Terminal ASAP ... don't wait until flight gate assigned/boarding signalled!!
  • If EES Terminal scans were successful you can use an e-gate lane
Departures Advice

Departure Lounge EES terminals are placed in various areas ( basically where there was space ) most infront of WH-Smith shop. You will have to make a judgement when to pass through gates 10-16 which will have limited shops/facilities ( Burger King, Single Souvenir shop, Vending Machines Toilets ) TIP : look up on Official Airport departures for a good idea how many UK flights will be 'competing' for border checks ;-)

How to get ahead of the EES queues?

If you are on an included transfer everyone will be arriving together so bags check-in will also slow down your progress.

Look up how many UK flights departing +- an hour from your flight departure - Consider booking an earlier private transfer to Airport - save money by making a group with other families you met on your holiday?

Additional Considerations

Families with mixed age young / older children : Older children over 12 ( fingerprint requirements) maybe asked to separate and do the self-service scans while parents remain with younger children.

Airport staff have the flexibility to be pragmatic with families ( like manual passport photo checks) but it might be slower.

Tips and preparing your children for EES

EES and passengers with invisible disabilities

Apply for a Spanish Lanyard - staff will recognise this and provide additional assistance ( Sunflower will be recognised ). Facial scans may be replaced with manual passport photo check. Fingerprints not required.

Menorca Mahon Airport provides assistance services for passengers with invisible disabilities, including autism, dementia and anxiety-related conditions. Assistance services will try to prioritise you ( less queueing ). People who will find the self service EES terminals difficult will be guided to staffed desks.

Menorca Airport does not currently have waiting rooms for passengers with invisible disabilities - Menorca Airport Services

EES and Wheelchair users, reduced mobility

EES protocol is to direct you to a staffed border desk where you will be assisted with EES registration/checks. If you have booked Menorca Airport Assistance this will happen automatically and usually you will be taken ( along with your party) to the front of any queue. Menorca Airport only has a single terminal and is relatively small = short distances.

EES issues and workarounds

Potential Issues include Scanner fails, asking to register EES multiple times, a member of your group breaking 90/180-day stay Schengen rule. Close arrival times of UK flights - Saturdays and Early Morning.

If there are issues at the self service EES terminals you will be helped / directed to a manned desk with a machine where staff will assist - possible queues

Automated fingerprint scanning seems to present the most reported issues to date

EES Scanners are supposed to cope with oils/sweat as they use sound not light-photography. But not everyone can places their finger types in the way the scanners need to work.

  • Impossible/difficult to provide Fingerprints - alert staff (carry GP letters) you will NOT be denied entry, staff will ID you with manual face check :-)

You have already registered your biometrics but machines tell you to register - The IT is not 100% robust yet, communication with centralised off island EES databases can fail - no workaround :-(

EU Passport holders

EU passport holders will be directed straight to e-gates. Any UK passport holders travelling with them must scan their own passport to confirm whether they can go to e-gate or register at EES terminal first.

Are queues likely at Menorca Airport?

We have yet to hit the peak flight frequency months yet. Most longer queues may develop when travellers are directed to manned desks ( for manual checks , assisted facial scans / fingerprinting ). This may occur when :

  • Lot of families with young children, Baby & Toddlers
  • Technical failures with EES system
  • Fingerprint scans failing

E-Gates

An e-gate (electronic gate) is an automated self-service barrier at Menorca airport that automates verifying a traveler's identity using facial / fingerprint recognition against their registered EES biometric data ( e-passport with chip). They replace manual passport identity checks & 90/180 rules compliance by border guards so should speed up entry /exit process. UK e-passport holders may use e-gates.

Restrictions

Facial recognition often requires a minimum height ( 120cm ish ) which is why staff may try to send family groups with under 12s to a border security kiosk.

eGates
e-gate examples
eGates
e-gates and children

Anyone who has broken the 90/180-day stay rules will not pass through.

Travel Health Advice

GHIC/EHIC: Carry a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or an existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for access to state-provided healthcare at a reduced cost, but note this is not a substitute for travel insurance.

Emergency contacts in Menorca

  • – Medical Emergency & Ambulance : 061
  • – General emergency number: 112
  • - Main Hospital Mateu Orfila (Mahon): Ronda de Malbúger, 1 | Tel. +34 971 487 000

Travelling with health conditions? Know how to use the local health facilities and contacting a Doctor on Menorca ...plus advice on Travel with baby, Mosquitoes and Jellyfish - Menorca health advice on holiday.

What can you bring home to the UK

What can you legally bring back to the UK from the Balearics ( Menorca ) ... basically alcohol (for personal use only) , Tobacco (200 cigarettes or 250g tobacco ) and other goods (souvenirs, gifts, clothing ) up to £390 value without paying duty/VAT. However can change especially food items so consult latest restrictions at government's website.

You cannot bring fake goods into the uk

Additional Travel Advice & Help

We have lots of useful Travellers Blog guides to Menorca.