Latest news and stories about ees in travel in Portugal for expats and residents.
The European Union is rolling out a new biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) at borders, which is expected to cause significant travel disruptions. Airports in Portugal, including Lisbon and Faro, may face long queues and flight delays as the new digital verification process is implemented during the busy summer season.
The European Commission has confirmed that Portugal will temporarily suspend the collection of biometric data for the Entry/Exit System (EES) at national airports when necessary. The measure aims to prevent excessive queues during peak travel times, with the government notifying Brussels of the planned suspensions.
The Entry/Exit System (Sistema de Entrada/Saída or EES) is an automated IT system for registering travelers from non-EU countries, both short-stay visa holders and visa-exempt travelers, each time they cross an EU external border. It replaces the manual stamping of passports and is designed to improve security and identify overstayers within the Schengen Area.
Passengers at Humberto Delgado Airport continue to experience long queues at passport control, a situation exacerbated by the full operation of the European Entry/Exit System (Sistema de Entrada/Saída or EES). While expansion works in the border area are scheduled for inauguration on May 29, airline associations are calling for a suspension of the current system.
The Entry/Exit System (Sistema de Entrada/Saída or EES) is an automated IT system for registering travelers from non-EU countries, both short-stay visa holders and visa-exempt travelers, each time they cross an EU external border. It replaces the manual stamping of passports and is designed to improve security and identify overstayers within the Schengen Area.
Ryanair has called on the Portuguese government to suspend the new Entry/Exit System (EES) at airports during the peak summer season. The airline warns that the new border control procedures could cause significant delays for families and holidaymakers traveling through Portugal until September.
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.
