Portugal Rolls Out New EU App to Cut Border Delays at Lisbon Airport

Portugal has launched a new European Union mobile application designed to ease congestion at border control, as authorities look for ways to manage persistent delays linked to the bloc’s new entry system.

The app, called “Travel to Europe,” allows travellers from outside the EU to submit personal and travel information in advance of arrival. Users can complete the process up to 72 hours before their trip, including filling in a short questionnaire related to entry requirements.

The idea is simple: move part of the paperwork off the airport floor and onto passengers’ phones. In practice, it is an attempt to address a problem that has become all too visible at Lisbon airport, where long queues at passport control have become a regular feature — particularly as the high travel season approaches.

The delays are closely tied to the rollout of the Entry/Exit System (EES), introduced in October to modernise border management across the EU. While the system is intended to improve tracking and security, its implementation has brought slower processing times, with data handling emerging as a key bottleneck.

The new app does not replace border checks. Travellers will still need to present themselves to officers on arrival. However, by submitting information in advance, authorities hope to reduce the time spent at each checkpoint — a small change that could make a noticeable difference when multiplied across thousands of passengers.

For now, the system is being introduced at Lisbon airport only, with plans to expand it to other airports in the coming weeks.

The move follows a critical assessment by the European Commission, which conducted an unannounced inspection of Lisbon airport in December. The findings pointed to “serious deficiencies” in border control procedures, prompting the Portuguese government to take immediate action.

Among the measures adopted was a temporary three-month suspension of the EES at the airport, as well as the deployment of additional personnel. In January, 24 officers from the National Republican Guard were assigned to reinforce border operations and help manage waiting times.

Concerns about delays are not limited to Portugal. Similar scenes have been reported across several EU countries since the gradual introduction of the new system, with some travellers facing overnight waits.

Against that backdrop, the new app represents a practical — if modest — attempt to smooth the process. Whether it will significantly reduce queues remains to be seen, but for travellers stuck in line, even a few minutes less at passport control might feel like progress.

Written by Andreas Hofer