Portuguese Government Implements Emergency Measures to Combat Severe Wait Times at Lisbon Airport

Government Responds to Airport Congestion Crisis

The Portuguese government has initiated a series of emergency measures and formed a dedicated task force to tackle the ongoing issue of severe wait times at Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport. The intervention comes amidst widespread reports of passengers enduring prolonged queues, particularly at passport control, which have caused significant disruption for travelers and raised concerns about Portugal's tourism image.

Factors Contributing to Extensive Delays

Several factors have converged to create the challenging conditions at Lisbon Airport. A primary cause identified is the implementation of the new European Entry/Exit System (EES), which began around October 2025. This system requires non-EU nationals to provide biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images, upon their first entry into the Schengen Area, replacing traditional passport stamping. This new procedure has led to increased processing times, with non-EU passengers experiencing waits of over 90 minutes and, at times, up to four hours.

Beyond the EES, the airport has also grappled with an 'exponential' increase in arrivals following the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a surge in passenger traffic that has strained existing infrastructure and personnel. Staff shortages, particularly within border services, have been a recurring complaint, with airlines like Ryanair urging the government to deploy more staff to address the 'chaos'. Reports from 2022, 2023, and 2024 consistently highlighted issues such as insufficient staffing at passport control booths and the impact of industrial actions.

Measures Taken and Ongoing Efforts

In response to the crisis, the Portuguese government, through the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Public Security Police (PSP), has outlined several corrective actions. These include:

• Deployment of additional police officers trained in immigration procedures to passport control points.
• Wider implementation and use of electronic passport gates.
• Significant investments in new machines and servers to enhance the efficiency of the EES.
• Increased support staff to assist passengers and improve information services.

Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, stated in June 2025 that problems with queues at Lisbon and Faro airports were expected to be resolved within two weeks following the new system's operational adjustments. While authorities have reported improvements since the initial chaotic days of the EES rollout, acknowledging a reduction from four-hour waits to under 70 minutes for most non-EU arrivals by October 2025, occasional bottlenecks are still anticipated, particularly during peak travel periods and on specific days like Tuesday mornings when transatlantic flights converge.

Impact on Travelers and Future Outlook

The prolonged wait times have led to passengers missing connecting flights and have drawn criticism regarding the 'inhumane conditions' experienced by some travelers. The situation has prompted travel agents to advise non-EU nationals to arrive at the airport three to four hours ahead of their flights, a recommendation expected to remain in place until at least spring 2026. Portugal, heavily reliant on tourism, faces the challenge of balancing enhanced border security with maintaining its reputation as an accessible and welcoming destination.