Portugal Launches Advanced Biometric Border Control Systems at Entry Points

Portugal has launched a new suite of biometric border control systems at its airports and seaports as part of a broader European effort to modernize Schengen border infrastructure. The upgraded framework includes three core systems: VIS4 (European Visa Information System), PASSE+ (National Air and Land Border Control System), and a centralized Border Portal designed to streamline identity verification and document checks.

Part of the EU-Wide Entry/Exit System Rollout

The new infrastructure supports the upcoming implementation of the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES), which is scheduled to go live across the Schengen Area in October 2025. The EES will replace manual passport stamping with an automated system that registers biometric data and entry/exit records for non-EU nationals, including UK travelers. Portugal’s systems are designed to align with this mandate and are coordinated with the European IT agency EU-LISA.

The deployment is backed by a €24 million investment from the European digital transformation plan for border security. The systems incorporate advanced biometric technologies such as fingerprint scanning and facial recognition, similar to those deployed at major UK airports. According to Portugal’s Internal Security System (SSI), the upgrades represent “a new era in border management.”

Implementation involves multiple agencies, including the National Republican Guard (GNR), Public Security Police (PSP), airport and port authorities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Agency for Immigration and Mobility (AIMA).

Operational Impact and Traveler Requirements

The upgraded systems primarily affect third-country nationals arriving on short-stay visas, who are now subject to mandatory fingerprinting and facial scans. This group includes UK citizens and other non-EU travelers. Biometric data collected will be stored for up to three years or until the associated travel document expires. During the transition period, both the new biometric system and traditional passport stamping may be used in parallel, which has contributed to longer wait times at passport control.

Initial reports indicate that Lisbon Airport has experienced queues of up to four hours during peak travel periods. Authorities have acknowledged the delays but emphasize that the systems are fully operational. Officials noted that temporary slowdowns are expected during early implementation.

Portugal’s upgrade follows earlier pilots, including a 2021 trial of biometric screening at Lisbon Airport. The latest rollout brings the country’s infrastructure in line with broader European trends, including Italy’s 2025 adoption of biometric requirements for Schengen visas.

In the months ahead, travelers can also expect the launch of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), a pre-screening system for visa-exempt visitors. ETIAS is expected to become mandatory in 2026, roughly six months after EES becomes fully operational.

Source: The Portugal News

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May 22, 2025 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team