Portugal notifies of temporary suspension of EU border biometric checks

Portugal has notified the European Commission that it may temporarily suspend the collection of biometric data under the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) at certain border crossing points, in order to manage passenger congestion at airports.

The notification allows Portuguese border authorities to pause the collection of biometric data in specific locations when passenger flows exceed processing capacity. The measure is applied on a limited, case-by-case basis.

According to EU rules, member states may temporarily suspend the biometric registration process at specific border points, but they must inform the Commission in advance and specify where and for how long the suspension applies.

Purpose of the notification

The notification made by Portugal relates to the use of this contingency measure when operational conditions require it, particularly during periods of high passenger volumes. The aim is to reduce delays at border control while maintaining overall border management procedures.

Under the EES framework, suspensions are not permanent changes to the system. They are time-limited operational measures used when standard biometric processing creates congestion or long waiting times.

Portuguese authorities have previously used similar measures during periods of disruption at airports, including Lisbon, where queues increased following the introduction and phased rollout of the system.

Operational context in Portugal

Portugal has already experienced repeated congestion at border control points since the phased introduction of the Entry/Exit System. At Lisbon airport in particular, waiting times increased significantly during earlier stages of implementation, with authorities at times reverting to manual checks when queues became excessive or when infrastructure capacity was exceeded. 

In December 2025, the government temporarily suspended full use of the EES at Lisbon airport for a period of three months after admitting operational constraints in the arrivals area. The measure was taken to manage passenger flow and reduce delays while border staffing and processing capacity were adjusted. 

The system has since been reintroduced in phases, with Portuguese authorities confirming that EES processing is now active again across border points, although they continue to apply operational adjustments where necessary depending on passenger volumes.

What the suspension means in practice

The notification does not mean the suspension of the EES itself. Instead, it refers only to the temporary suspension of biometric data collection at specific border control points when needed.

For travellers arriving in Portugal, this may mean:

• In normal operation, non-EU travellers will continue to be registered in the EES and provide fingerprints and a facial image on first entry 
• During suspension periods at specific locations, border authorities may revert temporarily to manual passport checks 
• Any suspension is expected to be limited in time and location, and does not affect the overall requirement to comply with Schengen entry rules 

In practice, this means most travellers will not notice a change unless they arrive during a period when the contingency measure is activated at a particular airport or border post.

What it means for people travelling to Portugal

For passengers travelling to Portugal from outside the EU and Schengen area, entry requirements remain the same under EU law. Travellers must still present a valid passport and comply with the 90/180-day rule for short stays.

Where the EES is fully operating, first-time visitors will still be required to provide biometric data, and their entry and exit movements will be recorded electronically.

Once the temporary suspension is activated at a specific border point, travellers may experience:

• Faster processing times at passport control 
• Reduced use of biometric kiosks during peak congestion 
• A return to manual document checks in some cases 

However, this does not change eligibility requirements for entry, visa rules, or the legal limits on stay in the Schengen area.

Administrative oversight

The European Commission oversees the implementation of the EES across member states, while national border authorities are responsible for deciding when contingency measures are necessary and notifying Brussels accordingly.

In Portugal, border management operations are carried out by national police authorities at airports and external borders, who apply the system in line with EU regulation and operational guidance.

Outlook

Portugal’s notification to Brussels relates to a temporary operational safeguard within the EU Entry/Exit System rather than a change in policy. It allows biometric processing to be paused at specific border points when necessary to manage congestion, while maintaining the wider requirement for electronic entry and exit recording for non-EU travellers.