The Port of Valencia has become the first port in Spain to implement a passenger border control system compatible with the European Entry/Exit System (EES), marking a significant step in the modernization of border management infrastructure. Developed by the Port Authority of Valencia (APV), the facility serves as a support point for Spain’s Ministry of the Interior in the administration of external border controls.
Located within the port area, the new installation is designed to strengthen identity verification procedures, document inspections, and passenger processing. The project is intended to support more efficient, secure, and streamlined management of passenger movements while enhancing oversight of migration flows. The initiative has been co-financed by the European Union through the European Fund for Internal Security (EFIS), which contributed 75% of the funding toward the project’s total budget of EUR 1.17 million, including VAT.
The facility consists of a specially adapted container equipped for border control operations. It features thermal insulation, large windows, dedicated workspaces, lighting systems, and advanced technology for passport scanning and passenger assistance. The installation has been designed to support frontline border personnel and improve operational efficiency during passenger processing.
The project forms part of the Port Authority of Valencia’s broader cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior and European institutions aimed at strengthening the management of external borders. It also contributes to wider efforts focused on the prevention, detection, and investigation of terrorism-related activities and other serious crimes.
At the core of the new infrastructure is compatibility with the European Entry/Exit System, which records the entry and departure of third-country nationals crossing the external borders of European Union member states, as well as cases in which entry is refused. To support these procedures, inspection teams have been equipped with verification, monitoring, and data-recording tablets, enhancing both operational oversight and the management of border information.
The introduction of the facility places the Port of Valencia at the forefront of Spain’s transition toward the implementation of the EES framework and reinforces the port’s role in supporting modern, technology-driven border control operations.