Latest news and stories about schengen in Portugal for expats and residents.
Greece has joined a growing coalition of European nations, including Germany, Spain, and France, in implementing measures to streamline border processes for UK travelers by reducing reliance on biometric entry systems, aiming to enhance overall travel efficiency within the Schengen Area.
An analytical examination of Portugal's Golden Visa program, exploring its €54 billion economic impact and the reasons behind its continued survival amidst a broader European trend of program closures.
Biometric data collection at major Portuguese airports has been suspended again due to excessive passenger wait times, with authorities implementing an automatic suspension protocol when queues exceed reference limits.
The Portuguese Council of Ministers has approved amendments to immigration and asylum laws regarding returns, balancing EU compliance requirements with concerns over detention periods and judicial oversight. While the proposal introduces positive alternatives to detention, critics highlight risks regarding the extension of detention limits and the potential impact on families.
The EU's new Entry-Exit System (EES) — which now obliges over a third of non‑EU nationals entering the Schengen area to submit extra personal and biometric data — has provoked a standoff between airports and Brussels. Airports warn of operational strain, higher costs and longer processing times amid limited staff and technical readiness; EU institutions argue the measure is necessary to improve border security, migration management and traveller rights. The dispute highlights tensions between security aims, data‑protection concerns and practical implementation challenges that could affect expats, short‑term visitors and airlines alike.
Europe is facing a serious security risk. Former Russian combatants involved in the aggression against Ukraine represent an increasingly significant threat.
A surprise inspection carried out 4 months ago revealed 14 deficiencies at the country's main airport. Failures regarding human resources, equipment, and inspections carried out by the PSP are causing concern in Brussels.
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”.
Bruno Retailleau, leader of the Republican Party, has promised to re-establish border controls and ostracise Spain after Sánchez launched a mass regularisation of undocumented immigrants.
For ANAV, there are “serious doubts regarding the response capacity of national airports”.
The National Association of Travel Agencies (ANAV) expressed concern on Monday, the 20th, regarding the implementation of the new border control system at Portuguese airports, calling for urgent coordination among authorities. The association warned that there is a serious risk of increased queues at border controls with the full entry into force of this new European system, which aims to strengthen security and control of entries and exits in the Schengen area. ANAV highlighted that the implementation has revealed constraints in several countries, including Portugal, and raised doubts about the response capacity of national airports, especially after the temporary suspension of biometric data collection at departures due to long wait times. The association noted that these issues negatively affect the customer experience and increase assistance costs, a situation further aggravated by weaknesses in the handling sector. ANAV president Miguel Quintas called for an urgent, coordinated response from the Government and relevant authorities to ensure the normal functioning of national airports. The European Entry/Exit System (EES), which replaces passport stamps with digital biometric registration for non-EU citizens, has been in full operation across the EU since April 10th.
The PSP intercepted 9,302 passengers arriving from outside the Schengen area to verify their compliance with entry requirements for Portugal. This represents a 45.3% increase compared to last year.
Home News EES led to 27,000 entry refusals EES led to 27,000 entry refusals Data from the European Commission reveal that the Entry/Exit System (EES) recorded more than 27,000 refusals at entry in Schengen Area countries. By Bruno G.
On Saturday, the collection of biometric data had already been suspended during the morning to prevent passengers from missing their flights due to long queues.
The new digital system at national airports continues to cause problems. In recent days, dozens of passengers have missed flights due to failures in the kiosks of the new entry and exit system for the Schengen area, which are unable to handle the high number of users. There are reports of malfunctions and delays at border control, and the PSP confirms that, at times, the collection of biometric data is even being suspended.
The collection of biometrics at departures in Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports was suspended again today due to excessive waiting times for passengers to board, a PSP spokesperson told Lusa.
Digital kiosks for the new Entry/Exit System in the Schengen Area are experiencing malfunctions and delays
The new system became operational on October 12 in Portugal and the remaining Schengen area countries.
The new European border control system for non-EU citizens comes fully into force today across the European Union, following a phased implementation period that experienced constraints in Portugal, mainly at Lisbon airport.
Following months of testing and long queues at Lisbon Airport, Portugal joins the full implementation of the European Union's new Entry/Exit System (EES) this Friday, April 10. The initiative strengthens border monitoring for the Schengen Area, making digital registration mandatory for foreign citizens. European Commission spokesperson Arianna Podestà stated that the system is performing well, with over 45 million entries and exits recorded during the trial period, though some member states have faced technical implementation difficulties. Portugal previously experienced significant delays and chaos, leading to a temporary suspension of the system in December, which was quietly resumed in January. Authorities noted that if excessive wait times occur, particularly during the summer, member states may opt to suspend biometric data registration.
The European Union's automated system replaces passport stamps with digital registration of biometric data
In five months, more than 45 million entries and exits were recorded. There were 24,000 entry refusals, of which more than 600 would have posed a security threat to the European Union.
The new European Entry/Exit System requires digital registration for non-EU citizens in the Schengen area. Airlines and airports warn that the final phase arrives on April 9th, during the peak of Easter travel.
European Union (EU) airports and airlines warned today of waiting times exceeding two hours at border controls for third-country citizens during Easter week.
