Spanish authorities on Tuesday announced plans to ban the use of electronic travel cards (EDCs) in the country, as well as other electronic devices.
The decision comes just weeks after the European Commission issued a travel ban on all electronic devices in Spain.
Spain’s government has also announced that it will require all electronic device users to undergo fingerprint checks on their cards to be able to use them at airports and to get around the country’s immigration and customs system.
It is not clear whether the EU directive will affect the number of travel card users who can use them, as the new restrictions will only apply to the country of residence, which is the case for most EU citizens.
Spain has not had an ECD card since November 2018, but the European Union had previously issued a directive to require them for citizens of certain countries, including those who are resident in Spain, but not to EU citizens, on the grounds that it is “unnecessary” to have such a card for EU citizens living in Spain without the card.