Latest news and stories about airport security in travel in Portugal for expats and residents.
Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Miguel Pinto Luz stated that there is no longer chaos at Portuguese airports, citing a reinforcement of security forces for border control. The government expects a calmer summer season for travelers following these operational adjustments.
The government will deploy 340 additional Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) officers to international airports starting July 4 to reduce wait times. Interior Minister Luís Neves confirmed that 140 officers will be assigned to Lisbon, 100 to Porto, and the remainder to Faro, Funchal, and Ponta Delgada. The minister acknowledged that while this reinforcement aims to streamline border procedures, ongoing digital issues continue to impact operational speed.
The PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública) is Portugal's national civilian police force, founded in 1867. Responsible for defending Republican democracy and safeguarding internal security and citizens' rights, the PSP polices major cities—Lisbon, Porto, Faro—and large urban areas, covering only 4% of Portugal's territory but roughly half the population. Led by a National Director under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, its approximately 21,500 officers handle preventive policing, crime investigation, public order, airport security, diplomatic protection, private security regulation, firearms licensing, and border control (since 2023).
PSP vs. GNR: The PSP is civilian with police-focused training and urban jurisdiction, while the GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana) is military (gendarmerie) with military training, covering 96% of Portugal's rural and suburban territory. Both share core public safety missions but differ fundamentally in nature, training, and geographic responsibility.
Luís Neves will take office on Monday as Minister of Internal Administration. He graduated in law and has worked at the Judicial Police since 1995, where he served as coordinator of a national unit and developed a long career in criminal investigation.
The European Commission has granted Portugal the authority to temporarily suspend biometric border control systems at airports, with the Ministry of Internal Administration clarifying that the PSP holds the operational decision-making power for these short-term measures.
The Portuguese government is deploying over 360 additional police officers to airports, including new manual control booths at Lisbon Airport, to address significant passenger wait times and improve border operational efficiency.
Three had already been arrested in May for the same crimes.
Minister of internal administration, Luis Neves, has announced an increase of 340 PSP agents for airport border controls, starting from July 4. The news follows the recent ‘boost’ given by The post Another 340 PSP agents to beef airport border controls from July 4 appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The Minister of Internal Administration, Luis Neves, announced this Friday that Portuguese international airports will have a reinforcement of 340 security personnel, who are currently in training, starting from July 4. “On July 4, we will deploy 340 more people, PSP officers who are currently receiving specific training for border control.”
Home News Minister announces more security personnel at airports in Portugal Minister announces more security personnel at airports in Portugal The Minister of Home Affairs, Luis Neves, announced that Portuguese international airports will have an additional 340 security personnel, who are curren
A passenger, reportedly late for a flight, illegally entered the Madeira airport runway in the early hours of Tuesday, June 2, reports RTP Madeira. The 60-year-old foreign national climbed over the airport perimeter fence in an attempt to reach his plane. He was immediately detected by the airport's security system around 5:20 AM and taken to a Public Security Police station. The man was released after demonstrating he had no intention of committing a civil attack, justifying his actions by claiming it was the fastest way to catch his flight.
The Ministry of Internal Administration (MAI) clarified today that the decision regarding the temporary suspension of biometric data collection from passengers at airports is the responsibility of the PSP, which communicates it to the European Commission.
The statement comes after Brussels accepted the Portuguese Government's request this Friday to suspend biometric border controls.
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.
According to the PSP, 150 officers will be deployed to Lisbon airport, 90 to Porto, 70 to Faro, 30 to the Azores, and 20 to Madeira.
Over half of the 570 new PSP police officers graduating this Thursday, May 28, will be stationed at Portuguese airports, with the remaining 210 assigned to the Lisbon Metropolitan Command. The 360 officers heading to the National Unit for Foreigners and Borders (UNEF) will undergo a four-week border guard training course, aiming to reduce passenger queues for non-Schengen arrivals by early July. This deployment is part of the PSP's summer contingency plan. Additionally, the force continues to face recruitment challenges, with a new course starting in June falling short of the 800-vacancy target.
Portugal’s airports will receive 360 additional border police officers from July as authorities try to reduce long waiting times for passengers arriving from outside the Schengen area. The reinforcement was The post Portuguese airports to get 360 more border police officers from July appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The measure is accompanied by an increase in the number of manual border control booths to improve operational response
Miguel Pinto Luz states that construction work is being completed to expand the arrivals area.
Arriving from Brazil and bound for France and Funchal, the suspects were intercepted by the Airport Security Division. One of them confessed to having ingested drug capsules and was taken to the hospital.
The Ministry of Internal Administration refused on Monday, in response to the Lusa agency, to suspend the implementation of the new European border control system with biometric data collection at airports during the summer. However, the Prime Minister admitted the possibility of suspension this afternoon. On May 8, the airline Ryanair once again appealed to...
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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
Travel agencies express concern over the impact of airport issues on Portugal's international reputation.
