Latest news and stories about schengen in travel 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Expected delays are due to “operational problems” with the implementation of the new European access mechanism.
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.
A new application is being introduced to help travellers pass through EU borders more quickly.
Frontex's 'Travel to Europe' app has been available at Lisbon Airport since Monday. It generates a QR code after a questionnaire and can be used up to 72 hours before travel.
Home News ETIAS is delayed. What are the new rules? ETIAS is delayed.
Home News ETIAS delayed until 2027 ETIAS delayed until 2027 The European Union has confirmed that the EU Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will not become mandatory until at least spring 2027, giving UK travellers another year of trips to the continent without hassle.
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 European border control system for non-EU nationals, temporarily suspended at Lisbon Airport, will be reactivated today to test the improvements introduced, a police source told Lusa. The same source specified that there will be a test this afternoon to 'assess the improvements introduced to the system' after its suspension at the end of ...
Next week the European Border Control System may return to Lisbon Airport. The aim is to test the system that was suspended at the end of last year for citizens from outside the Schengen Area.
The Minister of Infrastructure explained that only the deployment of the new European system was suspended because it did not ensure effective waiting times.
The Minister of Infrastructure assured today that border control in Portugal is not suspended, explaining that only the rollout of the new European system was interrupted because it did not ensure effective waiting times. “I want to reassure the Portuguese: border control continues to exist. Portugal is a sovereign country, which respects and has rigour ...”
PS Socialists say they will be requesting an urgent debate in parliament to hear the government’s position on the suspension of the European border control mechanism at Lisbon airport. They The post PS Socialists want ‘urgent debate’ on Lisbon airport’s suspension of European frontier controls appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The European Commission has said it will ask Portuguese authorities for “more details” regarding the suspension announced yesterday of the European border control system for non-EU citizens at Lisbon airport. The post Brussels to request “more details” regarding suspension of European border control system appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The decision to suspend the European border control system 'is not related to any problems with the EU's entry and exit system.'
