Portugal Halts EU Biometric Border System at Lisbon Airport for 90 Days

Overview

• The government ordered an immediate three‑month suspension of the EES at Humberto Delgado Airport after extreme waits for non‑EU arrivals.
• GNR personnel with certified border‑control training will reinforce PSP officers at arrivals to boost processing capacity.
• Authorities plan to raise electronic and physical control capacity by roughly 30% within the limits of the existing terminal infrastructure.
• PSP received approval to spend €7.5 million through 2028 on e‑gates, software and corrective maintenance to add control positions.
• New targets set average waits under 20 minutes and a 55‑minute maximum within 100 days, following reports of seven‑hour lines and poor passenger assistance.