The system's implementation followed a phased period that saw constraints in Portugal, mainly at Lisbon airport.

This system, called the European Entry/Exit System (EES), is an automated system of the European Union that replaces the passport stamp with the digital registration of biometric data (photo and fingerprints) for non-EU citizens and has been implemented in the EU in a phased manner since October 2025, becoming 100% operational from 10 April.

Increased waiting times

This new system went into operation on 12 October in Portugal and other Schengen Area countries, and since then, waiting times at air borders 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 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 since resumed operation.

Implementation phase completed

According to the European Commission, the new EES concludes its implementation phase on Thursday, 9 April. For six months, border control authorities were able to partially or fully suspend the system during periods of higher traveller flow, but from today onwards, total suspension can no longer be applied.

At the European Commission's daily press conference, held on the same day, spokesperson Arianna Podestà stressed that, "when the system works well," the time to register an entry and exit from the EU is about 70 seconds, but acknowledged that there are Member States that have faced "technical implementation difficulties."

However, she added that the system "provides flexibility to ensure fluidity at the borders," especially during the summer, when there should be an increase in border controls.

Possibility of system suspension

During this period, if there are "excessive waiting times," the spokesperson said that Member States can choose to "suspend the registration of biometric data."

Passenger control at airport borders is the responsibility of the PSP, a competence it inherited in 2023 from the Foreigners and Borders Service, while maritime borders are controlled by the GNR.

The implementation of the system is ensured by the Internal Security System (SSI), in coordination with the PSP, the GNR, ANA - Aeroportos de Portugal, the port authorities and the National Civil Aviation Authority.