Latest news and stories about border control in europe in Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
Portugal is receiving a new contingent from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency to bolster national border security, combat illegal immigration, and address organized crime.
The European Union has fully implemented its new Entry/Exit System, replacing physical passport stamps with mandatory digital biometric registration for non-EU citizens to enhance Schengen Area border security.
The European border agency Frontex launched a new command contingent in the Portuguese capital this Wednesday to coordinate operations in Portugal and Spain. The new unit will have more than 300 agents deployed across the Iberian Peninsula and the islands.
The European Commission announced on Thursday, June 4, the deployment of approximately 25 Frontex agents and the provision of seven to eight million euros in infrastructure to support Portugal with border management, following issues detected with the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES). The support also includes document experts to assist Portuguese authorities in applying the rules. European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Magnus Brunner, told Lusa agency at the start of the Justice and Home Affairs Council that Portugal is doing everything to make the system work and that the Frontex presence aims to reinforce that effort. Brunner also highlighted the preparatory work carried out by Portugal, which has increased human resources, strengthened teams, and improved IT systems. Two weeks after the Commission initially denied a link between queues at Portuguese airports and the EES, and after the government stated it was a European-wide problem, Brunner highlighted that cooperation is now underway. The practical and financial support aims to alleviate immediate constraints and strengthen national capacity to handle EES operations, while Portuguese authorities continue to adjust procedures and technology to normalize border flow. Lisbon Airport will have more manual border control booths.
The European Commission conducted a surprise audit of Lisbon and Porto airports in December 2025, in which “serious deficiencies” were identified in the execution of border controls, reports CNN this Tuesday. Brussels warns that the failures could have an impact on other member states. The Commission considers that the irregularities detected could compromise security.
The Council demanded that Portugal present a plan to correct the identified flaws. It states that measures must be adopted as quickly as possible because they could have an impact on other states.
In Portugal, since the entry into force of this new system, waiting times have worsened, especially at Lisbon airport.
The European border control system for non-EU citizens, which was suspended in December at Lisbon airport after ‘an outcry’ over queues that built up, is once again operational, the government The post EU border control system back on track at Lisbon airport appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The new European system was suspended in December due to constraints in the arrivals area.
Frontex's 'Travel to Europe' app has been available at Lisbon Airport since Monday. It generates a QR code after a questionnaire and can be used up to 72 hours before travel.
Allows users to complete a questionnaire up to 72 hours before boarding at any airport.
“Travel to Europe” is the new app launched to speed up border control for passengers from third-party countries. According to a statement released this Tuesday, March 17, the goal is to make the entry process more efficient. Initially, the application will be used at Lisbon Airport. The app was developed under the European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES), which aims to make external border controls faster, more modern, and more efficient for non-EU travelers. The new system came into effect last autumn and caused significant delays for passengers, leading to its suspension in December after queues exceeded seven hours. With “Travel to Europe,” travelers can register up to 72 hours before their trip by entering personal data and answering a brief questionnaire about entry requirements. A QR code is then generated for use at self-service border control kiosks (SSK) upon arrival in Portugal. Use of the app is optional and does not replace standard border control procedures, but it allows information to be processed in advance to simplify the entry experience. The app is free and available for iOS and Android.
The European Commission has said it will ask Portuguese authorities for “more details” regarding the suspension announced yesterday of the European border control system for non-EU citizens at Lisbon airport. The post Brussels to request “more details” regarding suspension of European border control system appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The infrastructure will be reinforced “immediately” with military personnel from the GNR (National Republican Guard).
