Latest news and stories about ees in travel in Portugal for expats and residents.
The European Commission stated that initial constraints in the new European Entry/Exit System are normal, but emphasized that resolving these issues at airports is the responsibility of individual member states. The system, which came into force last Friday, caused significant delays at Portuguese airports over the weekend.
Biometric data collection for departures at Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports was suspended on Saturday morning, April 11, to prevent passengers from missing flights due to long queues, according to the PSP. The process resumed in the early afternoon. PSP spokesperson Sérgio Soares confirmed that biometric collection is now operating at 100% for both departures and arrivals. The suspension was a contingency measure to manage high passenger volumes and avoid excessive wait times. The Entry/Exit System (EES), an automated EU system replacing passport stamps with digital biometric registration for non-EU citizens, has been fully operational since Friday, following a phased rollout that began in October 2025.
Update: Biometric collection suspended again at major airports
Biometric data collection for departures at Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports was suspended again this Sunday, April 12, due to excessive waiting times. The PSP stated the measure aims to prevent passengers from missing flights while maintaining border security as high numbers of travelers exit the Schengen Area.
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.
The Entry-Exit System (Sistema de Entrada e Saída) is an EU border-register that records biometric data (fingerprints and a facial image) and travel details for short-stay non‑EU travellers, replacing passport stamping and creating a searchable entry/exit record. According to recent reporting, the new rules now require over a third of non‑EU nationals entering Schengen to provide this extra data at the border; the aim is to improve security and migration tracking, but travellers should be prepared to submit biometrics at kiosks or border control and ensure their travel documents are valid. For expats and visitors this usually means slightly longer checks on arrival/departure and more robust digital records of your travel history.
Greece has joined a growing coalition of European nations supporting Jet2's call to suspend the Entry/Exit System (EES) to prevent potential travel disruptions and ensure a seamless experience for UK tourists.
Ryanair has requested the suspension of the Entry/Exit System (EES) in Portugal to prevent potential disruption and long queues at airports during the summer season.
It is an appeal to ensure that next summer is not a nightmare for travellers passing through national airports. Ryanair has sent a letter to national authorities requesting the suspension of the new Entry/Exit System (EES) at airports to avoid the build-up of queues that...
Home News EES suspended in Portugal airports during the weekend to avoid delays EES suspended in Portugal airports during the weekend to avoid delays To address challenges posed by the new European border control system, which uses biometric data like fingerprints and facial images, the PSP has s
Lisbon Airport faces a critical test this Easter weekend as authorities implement a contingency plan to manage border control, following recent reports of long queues and chaos for passengers arriving from outside the Schengen Area. The Ministry of Internal Administration has reinforced staff and introduced self-service kiosks to support the gradual rollout of the Entry/Exit System (EES), though unions argue that the airport's infrastructure remains structurally inadequate to handle the current volume of non-EU travellers.
Home News Portugal airports expect two-hour queues at border control due to EES Portugal airports expect two-hour queues at border control due to EES Airports and airlines in the European Union ( EU) have warned of waiting times of up to two hours at border controls for citizens of third countrie
European Union (EU) airports and airlines warned today of waiting times exceeding two hours at border controls for third-country citizens during Easter week.
European Union (EU) airports and airlines have warned of wait times exceeding two hours for non-EU citizens at border controls during the Easter period. These delays are attributed to operational issues with the new Entry/Exit System (EES), which completes its implementation phase on April 9. Industry bodies ACI Europe and A4E are calling for an extension of the system's suspension flexibility, citing staff shortages and technical issues, as the transition period ends during the peak Easter travel season.
At the end of December, the Government announced contingency measures at Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon to reduce waiting times in the arrivals area, namely the three-month suspension of the EES, which has now returned to full operation.
The new European system was suspended in December due to constraints in the arrivals area.
Home News Portugal presents app to reduce queues at airports Portugal presents app to reduce queues at airports As the busy travel season approaches and it is still unclear when the EES (Entry/Exit System) will be reactivated, the European agency Frontex has launched the “Travel to Europe” app in
Portugal has introduced a new European mobile app, “Travel to Europe,” aimed at reducing border control queues at Lisbon airport. The app allows travelers from third countries to pre-register their personal and travel information up to 72 hours before arrival, helping to expedite border checks. Initially available only at Lisbon, the system is part of efforts to address delays caused by the European Entry/Exit System (EES), which faced processing issues. Despite the app being optional, it aims to streamline in-person border procedures. Recent assessments highlighted serious deficiencies in Lisbon's border security, prompting urgent measures including a temporary suspension of the EES and increased security personnel to manage queues and improve control.
“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.
After all the affirmations that hideous queues at border control gates at Lisbon airport had ‘nothing to do with the new European Entry/ Exit System (EES), the system is to The post EU border control system to be ‘reactivated on Monday’ at Lisbon airport – and then suspended again appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The suspension of the Entry/Exit System (EES) in the Schengen area and the reinforcement of human resources at border control in Humberto Delgado Airport have significantly reduced passengers' maximum waiting times, RENA — Association of Airlines in Portugal — president told ECO. “At the moment we are...”
