Home » EUROPE » Portugal Suspends New EU Entry/Exit System At Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport For Three Months Following Severe Delays And Disruptions At The Border
Published on
January 4, 2026
Portugal has taken decisive action to address the ongoing EU border control crisis by pausing the entry/exit system at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport for three months. This suspension aims to resolve operational shortcomings that have been affecting the efficiency of border controls. With the new measures in place, the government seeks to streamline operations and ensure smoother processes for travelers, ultimately enhancing security and reducing delays.
Portuguese authorities have suspended the implementation of the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport for three months. The decision, which came into effect in late December, was triggered by severe congestion and prolonged waiting times for passengers due to the rollout of the system. This suspension applies to non-Schengen border checks at the airport, the busiest in Portugal, and aims to restore smoother passenger flow while addressing operational challenges.
The EES, designed to digitally register non-EU travelers entering and exiting the Schengen Area, had recently been introduced at Lisbon Airport as part of a limited implementation phase. However, the existing infrastructure and staffing levels at the airport proved inadequate to handle the additional processing time required by the new system. The Portuguese government decided that the three-month pause would allow authorities to reinforce border control capacity, update procedures, and address concerns raised both nationally and at the European level.
With the suspension in place, Lisbon Airport has reverted to its previous border control procedures, which had been in place before the EES rollout. This temporary measure is aimed at stabilizing operations and managing congestion at the airport. The pause only applies to Lisbon Airport and does not change Portugal’s commitment to implementing the EU-wide system. During this period, additional personnel have been deployed to support border control operations, with the Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR) assisting the Public Security Police (PSP) in managing the flow of passengers.
In parallel, the government has begun enhancing both physical and electronic border control infrastructure. Plans to increase processing capacity by about 30% have been announced, and once these upgrades are completed, the system will be more equipped to handle the high passenger traffic that Lisbon Airport typically sees. Additionally, changes have been made within the airport’s terminal, including reallocation of staff to high-priority areas and modifications to queue layouts to improve passenger flow. However, authorities have warned that operational pressure is likely to persist during peak travel periods until the infrastructure improvements are fully implemented.
The Entry/Exit System is designed to replace traditional passport stamping with a digital record of travelers’ biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images. The system’s goal is to enhance border security, prevent identity fraud, and ensure more precise tracking of overstays within the Schengen Area. However, the introduction of the system has posed challenges, particularly in airports with high volumes of long-haul arrivals. In Lisbon, the system’s rollout coincided with the busy year-end travel period, exacerbating its impact. Passengers reported waiting for hours to clear passport control, with queues spilling beyond designated areas, which also affected travelers with connecting flights. Airlines and ground handlers expressed concerns that the long processing times could lead to missed connections and disrupted flight schedules.
The congestion at Lisbon highlighted wider concerns across Europe regarding the readiness for the system’s full rollout. Some airports have already conducted limited trials, but many face issues related to terminal layout, staffing, and the integration of the new system with existing technology. The delays and irregularities at Lisbon Airport sparked scrutiny from European institutions. A European Commission assessment in December revealed serious shortcomings in border control procedures, including the introduction of simplified procedures without prior notification to stakeholders. Portuguese authorities acknowledged these findings and committed to taking corrective actions.
The suspension of the EES at Lisbon is part of a broader contingency plan submitted to European authorities. Government officials clarified that this move does not signify a retreat from the system but rather a necessary step to ensure that the system can be fully compliant with EU standards once operational issues are addressed. The government reiterated that once the operational challenges are resolved, the system will be reintroduced in line with EU timelines.
Industry representatives, including airlines that operate long-haul flights into Lisbon, have largely welcomed the decision to pause the EES. Many pointed out that stabilizing passenger flow is essential for maintaining schedule reliability and traveler confidence. Lisbon Airport handles over 30 million passengers annually, with a significant proportion of these passengers arriving from outside the Schengen Area. Non-Schengen traffic has been disproportionately affected by the recent congestion, highlighting the airport’s longstanding challenges related to its constrained footprint and aging infrastructure.
While the suspension of the EES is in effect, passengers arriving from non-Schengen countries will undergo manual passport checks, as was the practice before the system’s introduction. Travelers are advised to anticipate longer waiting times, depending on arrival volumes and the number of staff available. Airlines have been urged to notify passengers about potential delays and to coordinate with airport and border control officials to minimize disruption. As the three-month suspension continues, the government will regularly assess progress on staffing, equipment, and procedural changes, with the goal of reintroducing the EES in phases once operational efficiency is restored.
The Lisbon experience offers important lessons for other airports across Europe as the EU works toward implementing the EES. The system’s deployment at major hubs with high intercontinental traffic presents significant operational challenges, and the situation at Lisbon Airport serves as a test case for balancing enhanced security with efficient passenger processing. As Portugal works to resolve its operational difficulties, airports throughout the EU will be closely monitoring the developments, eager to avoid similar disruptions in the future.
