In a response sent to the Lusa news agency, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MAI) states that the European border control system for non-EU citizens, called the European Union Entry/Exit System (EES), “has been gradually resumed since the beginning of the year and is now fully active”.

Start of operation

This new system came into operation on 12 October in Portugal and other Schengen Area countries, and since then, waiting times have worsened, especially at Lisbon airport, where passengers have sometimes had to wait several hours.

The introduction on 10 December of the second phase of the EES at Portuguese airports, which involves collecting biometric data, added further constraints, especially at Lisbon airport.

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 suspension of the EES for three months, which has now returned to full operation.

Phased implementation

The EES is being implemented in phases in the European Union, and its full operation across the community's territory is scheduled for April.

In its response, the MAI admits that "some operational constraints have been observed in the process of controlling airport borders and with the implementation, albeit in a phased manner, of the EES, these constraints have worsened".

“To expedite the phased implementation of the EES, which will only be fully implemented from 10 April, and to mitigate the impact on waiting times at border control, self-service kiosks have been installed at airports. These kiosks will allow for the collection of biometric data and completion of the travel questionnaire by nationals of third countries visiting us for temporary stays,” adds the ministry headed by Luís Neves.

Travel app

Portugal has joined the European mobile app “Travel to Europe”, developed by the border control agency Frontex, which allows passengers covered by the EES to complete the questionnaire upon arrival, thereby speeding up border processing.

The ministry assures that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MAI), the Public Security Police (PSP), and other entities directly involved in this process “have been working in a coordinated manner to implement measures that ensure the regular functioning of border controls at the main national airports, both during the Easter period and in the approach of the high season.”

According to the MAI, this work includes continuous monitoring of passenger flows and adapting the operational system as needed.

Entry/Exit System

The EES system, which replaces traditional passport stamps, applies to all non-EU citizens entering the territory for short stays (up to 90 days in a 180-day period), regardless of whether they need a visa.