Border control systems in Portugal “went wrong”

The Minister of Internal Administration has admitted that the introduction of the new European border control system for non-EU citizens "went wrong" at Portuguese airports, but denied that it is the "exclusive responsibility" of the PSP (Public Security Police).

"The introduction of these rules at airports went wrong," said Maria Lúcia Amaral in parliament, adding that at Lisbon airport, there have been average waiting times of three hours and in recent days, they have reached six hours.

"I do not deny the responsibility of the PSP and the UNEF [National Unit for Foreigners and Borders], but I refuse to accept that it is the exclusive responsibility of the PSP. Things are more complex than that," she said.

In addition to the PSP (Public Security Police), according to the minister, the new system also involves the Internal Security System, which controls the computer systems and the equipment that supports them, ANA Aeroportos de Portugal (the Portuguese airport authority), which generates the infrastructure, as well as contracts with private entities to ensure this equipment.

The minister explained that this "turbulence," mainly at Lisbon airport, began in May because that was when the first technological infrastructures for the new Schengen Area system were purchased.

"From May onwards, because of this, database queries intensified, leading to the first disruptions, which increased and became tremendous from October 12th onwards," said Maria Lúcia Amaral, noting that, currently, at Lisbon airport, there are two ways to control non-EU passengers on arrivals and departures: digitally and personally through PSP agents.

Digitalisation

The new European border control system for non-EU citizens became operational on October 12th in Portugal and other Schengen Area countries, a phased digitalisation process.

Since December 10th, the second phase has been underway, involving the collection of biometric data, which consists of obtaining photographs and fingerprints of passengers.

The minister stated that the government has been “monitoring the complexity of this situation from the beginning,” and on October 27th issued a joint decree from several ministries establishing “a daily monitoring mechanism” regarding what is happening at the airport through the creation of a special team, called a crisis room, which is “always present” at Lisbon airport.

The minister is being heard in the parliamentary committees on constitutional affairs, rights, freedoms and guarantees, and on Economy and Territorial Cohesion, at the request of Chega and PS, regarding the National Unit for Foreigners and Borders of the PSP (Public Security Police) and the long queues at border control in Portuguese airports, the measures adopted and the deadlines foreseen for their resolution.

So, it's the minister's responsibility but it's everyone else's fault? The EU gave them money and years to do this, and it still doesn't work? There's a crisis room, but lines are now six hours long? More excuses and no end of the problems in sight. If it wasn't so sad that travelers in and out of the country are treated so badly, I'd be laughing at the incompetence.

By Rob de Santos from Algarve on 18 Dec 2025, 10:36

Although the principle of this idea is good. It is a complete farce and waste of money. It hasn't been thought through, is poorly managed, no ' soak' testing, no contingency for roll back, not staffed adequately and not consistently applied. Well done to the EU for wasting taxpayers money. Again.

By David Clark from UK on 19 Dec 2025, 07:18

Every other country completed this with no issues.

Portugal? 3-6 hour waits. Let that sink in. More time in a line than it takes to fly to London, Paris, Frankfurt, Zurich, Milan, Geneva, Munich and so on.

Who's to blame? The Portuguese government. Just like all forms of government in Portugal, it is inept and incapable. Everything takes far more time than other first world nations in the world, period.

What Portugal hasn't realized, but it's coming, is there massive damage this has done to it's global reputation (usually Portuguese government failures only damage those living here) due to these waits, and will cost it money in the coming year. So many people are not coming back as tourists, people who spend tens of billions annually. So many businesses depend on tourists that are going elsewhere.

Wake up, Portugal. You received the money to pay for these systems from outside of the country, you could have hired experts from other nations to help install and implement the same. Instead, you used other slow working, high delay people from Portugal, which caused the massive delays. No different can SEF before it, or AIMA, or the IRS, or even in the privater sector with ANY bank a most contractors you do business with. The worst part? It's not just foreigners visiting or living in Portugal who can't stand how Portugal governmental officers and services operate, it's the Portuguese themselves. I know not one Portuguese who thinks the country runs well.

Time to wake up.

By Mark Dahncke from Algarve on 19 Dec 2025, 16:13