Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Tourists from the UK, Greece, France, Spain, and Italy are being urged to prepare for significant delays at Portugal’s airports this summer, as the country grapples with the early stages of a new EU Entry/Exit System (EES). The digital border control upgrade—intended to streamline entry procedures for non-Schengen travelers—has instead triggered widespread chaos, particularly at Lisbon Airport, where passport checks have ballooned to over three hours. With the peak travel season underway and passenger volumes surging, the collision of untested technology and high demand is creating a perfect storm of airport gridlock, long queues, and rising traveler frustration.
Portugal Warns of Airport Chaos as New Border Control System Causes Hours-Long Delays for Travelers
Portugal has issued a stark warning to international travelers as chaotic scenes unfold at Lisbon’s main airport, where long queues and extensive delays at border control are causing widespread frustration. Holidaymakers arriving in the capital are facing wait times of over two hours—sometimes even three—just to clear passport checks, with the situation expected to worsen as the summer tourism season picks up speed.
The problem, authorities say, stems from a new passenger control system recently installed at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport. While the system was designed to modernize and improve border efficiency, its rollout has been marred by technical problems, teething issues, and overwhelmed infrastructure. Last week, several passport scanners reportedly malfunctioned, leading to a near standstill in processing arrivals. As a result, thousands of travelers—many from the United Kingdom and other non-Schengen countries—were left stranded in long queues with little explanation.
The Internal Security System of Portugal had previously acknowledged the likelihood of delays during the initial phase of implementation. Officials noted that disruptions were anticipated as part of the transition to the new border control technology. However, the severity of the congestion, especially during peak travel times, has alarmed both visitors and local authorities.
Reports from passengers this week reveal that some people had to wait over two hours simply to show their travel documents and proceed through immigration. In more severe cases, travelers described three-hour delays due to passport gates being rendered inoperable during outages. Many arrivals took to social media to express their disappointment and confusion, especially as few staff were available to manage the crowds or provide clear instructions.
What’s fueling the concern further is the proximity of the summer holidays, traditionally the busiest travel period for Portugal. Lisbon, Porto, Faro, and other major airports in the country brace each year for millions of inbound tourists, particularly from Europe and the United Kingdom. With visitor volumes expected to surge dramatically from late June through August, aviation experts fear that current delays could become even more unmanageable without immediate intervention or system improvements.
Travel analysts have also pointed out that the current airport troubles are just the beginning of broader changes coming to the region’s border controls. The European Union is preparing to launch the Entry/Exit System (EES), a major upgrade to how the bloc manages travelers from non-Schengen countries, including the UK.
The EES is a fully digital platform intended to track the movements of non-EU visitors as they enter and exit the Schengen Area. Once implemented, it will replace the traditional system of manually stamping passports with an automated database that stores biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial images. This means that travelers from the United Kingdom, post-Brexit, will need to register their biometric information at the border when entering Schengen countries like Portugal.
Officials say the system will improve security and streamline passenger flow over time. However, critics warn that the initial phase of EES could further complicate the border crossing process, especially in airports like Lisbon that are already struggling with new tech transitions and seasonal pressure. Many fear that without proper staffing, infrastructure upgrades, and traveler education, delays could multiply rather than diminish.
For UK tourists and others planning a trip to Portugal in the coming weeks or months, the advice is clear: arrive early, stay informed, and be patient. Travelers are urged to check for real-time airport updates, ensure all documents are prepared, and allow for significantly longer processing times at immigration control.
The Portuguese government has not yet confirmed when full stability is expected to return to Lisbon’s arrivals hall, though improvements are being worked on behind the scenes. In the meantime, airports across Portugal are being closely monitored, and contingency plans may be activated should passenger flow continue to deteriorate.
This latest development adds to a growing list of travel disruptions facing European tourists in 2025. With new digital systems, stricter entry rules, and increasing air traffic, many destinations are under pressure to modernize quickly—sometimes at the cost of short-term traveler convenience.
Tourists from the UK, Greece, France, Spain, and Italy face growing airport delays in Portugal as the rollout of a new EU border system clashes with peak summer travel.
Ultimately, while Portugal remains one of Europe’s most popular and picturesque destinations, visitors this summer may need to pack a little more patience along with their passport.
