MAD e-gates
 

Hi all,

I recently got my Spanish citizenship - but for various reasons initially opted only for the DNI, not getting a passport issued just yet. I did not have to give up my UK citizenship thus still have that passport.

I have a trip to LHR next week and would like to confirm I don't actually need a passport, and that I can clear immigration (both outbound and on the return) in MAD with the DNI. I think that is OK, and have a vague recollection of seeing DNI mentioned on signs, but wanted to double check... I also assume it is fine as one can travel to Ireland on only the DNI, and indeed in limited cases to the UK, but don't want to run into any trouble. Especially as IB does say that to travel outside the EU, a passport is necessary - but somewhat unclear whether "a passport is necessary" as in you need one to enter your destination (I'll show the UK one at check-in/gate), or it's necessary to clear immigration as well.

Please let me know, based on your experience - and whether if the e-gate fails and I have to go to a passport officer, I also won't have any trouble - whether this is OK, or whether I should get a passport issued just before the trip. Everything I've found online seems to suggest DNI is OK for arrivals, but haven't seen anything explicitly mentioning departures.

Thank you!

My understanding is that adult-aged naturalisations as a Spanish citizen DO require that you give up any other nationalities, apart from those select countries that have a convenio with Spain recognising dual nationality. (many people don't renounce their other citizenship of course...)

I don't actually wish to dig into how you received that advice - I could be wrong - but only mention it because border control seems to make things up as they go re. Brits, therefore if you are ultimately required to show a passport after showing your DNI - perhaps because you are asked whether you are going to the UK - the wrong agent on the wrong day could result in a very bad day for you...

My Spanish birth certificate does say "NO RENUNCIANDO a su nacionalidad anterior" so I'm covered on that front!

I'll add that you can use your DNI at the e-gates, but there is catch. It used to be that you had to insert it in a slot that was next to the scanner for the passports, but now those slots don't work and the chip on the DNI is also read by placing it flat on the same place as the passports. The now unuseable slots should be covered, but they are not on all the machines.

In any case, keep in mind that Spanish passports are issued immediately at the police station (without paying for any expedited processing as in other countries), so obtaining one is just a matter of getting an appointment (and there are usually more appointments for passports than for DNIs).

Thanks! So to confirm - OK to use the DNI for both exit and entry, no questions asked?

I do have an appointment booked for the day before the trip, but am hoping to avoid it - reason being I'm awaiting a spelling change in one of my names which should be approved any day now, so would rather not get a passport only to have to get another say a week later. I would do so if I were leaving / entering Schengen via another country (and on that note - any experience using the DNI say at CDG?), but for a simple MAD-LHR-MAD, was hoping my current plan would work.

To close the loop on this - no issues whatsoever using the DNIe at the e-gates, both departing and returning. Not sure what would've happened if I got sent to a passport officer (not that I was doing anything wrong, but they likely would've asked how I planned to enter on the other side, opening a can of - legally acceptable - worms).

Just a side note - you need to place the DNI photo-side-up on the scanner (chip against the scanner) rather than the other way around. Panicked a little at the start as I kept getting dinged until the auxiliar helped me out!

Thanks for the info, it does seem useful to know the eGates worked out. I do wonder if (in Spain) this is limited only to Spanish DNIs or if it might be extended to other EU national ID cards?
Just thinking of the hypothetical dual citizen misplacing an EU passport but still having the ID card.

The signs did clearly say DNIe rather than general ID - and the screen said something about "insert your passport or DNIe" (in Spanish), with the English translation being "insert your passport" - omitting ID. So, I'd assume not...

All DNIs (ID cards) issued in Spain in the last 15 years are DNIe. Even if you still have one of the very very old ones, you just need to go to a manned counter.

I have cleared the Schengen border using the e-gates in Madrid using my DNIe multiple times in the past 10 years.

PD. The reason for the translation omitting the ID part is because the machines are unable to read ID cards from other member states.

Thought so!