Latest news and stories about airport security in infrastructure in Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
A 3.9 million euro contract has been awarded to provide technical assistance, training, and maintenance for biometric control systems at airports under the European Entry/Exit System.
Lisbon's Red Line metro service faced significant disruptions after a pipe burst caused water accumulation in the tunnels, leading passengers to evacuate onto the tracks and forcing a temporary suspension of operations between Chelas and the airport.
Four passengers entered a restricted area of Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon this Tuesday.
The group opened an emergency door to access a restricted area at Humberto Delgado airport. CNN Portugal journalist Margarida Neves de Sousa provides more details.
An emergency door was opened improperly on Tuesday morning, September 29, at Terminal 1 of Humberto Delgado Airport, allowing four passengers to enter a restricted area intended for travelers who had already passed through security checks. According to a statement released by the Public Security Police (PSP), the four passengers involved were subsequently identified. The police did not disclose the circumstances under which the door was opened nor did they indicate any potential consequences for those involved. Following the incident, police resources were deployed and security measures were adopted in coordination with the airport manager and other entities responsible for civil aviation security. The non-Schengen departure border was temporarily closed during the occurrence, being reopened after authorities considered the necessary security conditions restored. The PSP, through the National Unit for Foreigners and Borders (UNEF), classified the occurrence as a civil aviation security incident. Passengers from a flight disembarked in the wrong area at Lisbon airport. The border was temporarily closed. Lisbon Airport will have increased border capacity starting today.
This man, about whom one of the few certainties is that he was not the Minister of Internal Administration, managed, for a few moments, to be news. That is no small feat.
In an unusual incident, a man jumped the fence and walked along part of the Lisbon airport runway. The incident, which is already being investigated by the authorities, took place on Sunday morning. The 36-year-old Portuguese man was intercepted, offered no resistance, and was transported to the hospital.
A 36-year-old man was intercepted by airport workers. He was handed over to the PSP, subsequently assisted by INEM, and taken to a hospital for medical evaluation.
After being intercepted, the man was assisted by INEM and transported to a hospital unit for medical evaluation.
The Prime Minister defended the Minister of Internal Administration and says that Luís Neves is doing work of “extremely high quality and competence.”
The collection of biometric data from foreign passengers will be carried out at a 100% rate starting September 6, the Prime Minister announced during a visit to Lisbon Airport. “On September 6, we will need to collect 100% of the biometric data from citizens outside the European Union...”
The Lisbon airport border was temporarily closed today after passengers from a flight arriving from Brazil disembarked in the wrong area, causing a mix of passengers, the PSP confirmed.
“There is no more chaos at the airports. There has been a reinforcement of the security forces carrying out border control at all airports, namely at Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon,” assured the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, on the sidelines of the signing of a protocol between the Municipality of Vila do...
Passengers who disembarked at the Portuguese capital's terminal were taken to an unauthorized area. Border services were interrupted for 65 minutes, according to the PSP.
There were no entry refusals up to that time.
Starting this Friday, May 29, Lisbon Airport will receive 48 additional PSP officers and more booths and e-gates, according to the Ministry of Internal Administration (MAI). To streamline border control, the airport will now have 34 booths for arrivals (14 more than currently) and 18 for departures (four more). Regarding automated border control, the airport will have 31 e-gates for arrivals (14 more) and 18 for departures (four more). The MAI added that following these expansions in Lisbon, similar reinforcements are planned for Porto and Faro airports during June and July. Portugal began implementing the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) on October 12, 2025, but biometric collection was suspended on April 11 and 12 of this year due to excessive passenger wait times. Tourism and aviation sectors have demanded the suspension of the European border system, with reports of chaos at Lisbon Airport.
Nationwide, 360 new police officers assigned to the National Unit for Foreigners and Borders will be distributed across various airports in July.
Miguel Pinto Luz states that construction work is being completed to expand the arrivals area.
A lack of staff to detect document fraud or screen all passengers from outside the Schengen Area are examples of the 14 flaws detected. Luís Neves is concerned but is “seeking solutions”.
A surprise inspection by the European Commission, conducted in December 2025, identifies 14 serious flaws in the quality of human resources, equipment, and oversight carried out by the PSP at Lisbon Airport, reports Correio da Manhã (paid access) this Thursday. Portugal has until the end of the year to resolve the issues in what is considered by...
Home News Humberto Delgado Airport may fail European test due to security flaws Humberto Delgado Airport may fail European test due to security flaws A surprise inspection by the European Commission at Lisbon Airport raises the risk of the infrastructure being sanctioned after the detection of 14
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.
During the morning, the PSP decided to suspend the collection of biometric data at Lisbon, Faro, and Porto airports due to the high volume of passengers.
