The measure, introduced by the Public Security Police (PSP) in April, allows third-country nationals with a valid Portuguese residence permit and the passport linked to that permit to use the electronic border control (e-gate) system.

Using biometric technology, the gates verify travellers’ identities by scanning the chip embedded in their passport, allowing many residents to pass through immigration without needing a manual passport inspection.

Faster journeys for residents

The change comes after repeated complaints about long waits at Portuguese airports, particularly at Lisbon Airport, where immigration queues have occasionally stretched for several hours during peak travel periods.

By allowing legally resident foreign nationals to use the automated gates, authorities hope to reduce congestion while separating regular residents from the larger flow of tourists arriving throughout the summer.

The measure is expected to benefit a significant number of passengers, with the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) estimating that more than 1.5 million documented immigrants now live in Portugal.

What travellers need to know

To use the e-gates, passengers must carry both their valid Portuguese residence permit and the passport associated with that permit. If the automated verification cannot be completed, travellers will be directed to a staffed immigration desk for a manual inspection.

The PSP has also clarified that signs marked “Portuguese Residence Permit” refer specifically to access to the electronic gates.

The PSP says that residence permit holders should use the dedicated electronic gates where available. Access to manual passport control lanes reserved for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens remains at the discretion of border officers, particularly during periods of heavy passenger traffic.

Modernising border controls

The introduction of e-gate access forms part of Portugal’s wider efforts to modernise border management while improving the travel experience for residents.

With July and August representing the busiest period of the year for international travel, the new system is expected to reduce waiting times for thousands of residents entering or leaving the country, while maintaining full immigration checks whenever biometric verification cannot be completed.

Travellers are advised to keep both their residence permit and passport readily available and to follow airport signage or instructions from PSP officers when passing through immigration.