Big changes are on the horizon for non-EU travelers heading to Portugal and the rest of the Schengen Zone. The European Commission has confirmed that the long-anticipated Entry/Exit System (EES) will officially begin its phased rollout on 12 October 2025. This marks a major shift in how borders are managed across Europe. Though some Portuguese airports have already received the new biometric scanners, Portugal has not yet confirmed exactly when it will begin using the system.
The EES will be introduced gradually across the 29 European countries participating in the Schengen Agreement (including Portugal) over a six-month period, with full implementation expected by 10 April 2026. Once in effect, the system will replace the traditional passport-stamping method used for decades with a more advanced digital alternative.
What Is the Entry/Exit System (EES)?
Designed to enhance both border security and efficiency, the EES is a digital platform that records key data about non-EU citizens traveling to and from the Schengen Area for short stays. This includes biometric data (such as fingerprints and facial scans) as well as travel information like date and location of entry or exit.
The goal is to better monitor how long non-EU travelers stay within the Schengen Zone and help authorities detect overstays or irregular migration. By centralizing this data, the EU also aims to streamline checks, identify identity fraud more easily, and make the overall travel experience faster and more secure, especially at busy border points like airports.
What Will Happen When You Travel?
If you’re entering the Schengen Area for the first time after 12 October 2025, you’ll likely be asked to provide a fingerprint or facial image, in addition to your usual passport information. These details will be stored digitally and used for subsequent border crossings. Travelers may register this biometric data in advance using a self-service kiosk or through a soon-to-be-released mobile application if offered by the country of entry.
For repeat travelers, the process will be quicker. Your biometric data will already be stored in the system. This means that you will simply be scanned and verified during future visits. In some cases, however, you may be asked to provide your data again.
Despite the new technology, traditional entry conditions still apply. Border officials can request additional documentation, and entry may still be denied if requirements aren’t met.
What Does This Mean for Portugal?
While Portugal is fully participating in the EES rollout, it has not yet confirmed the exact date when the new system will go live at its borders. However, the presence of biometric kiosks in airports like Lisbon, Porto, and Faro signals that preparations are well underway. Once implemented, the new procedures are expected to reduce queues and improve processing times particularly for travelers who take advantage of pre-registration options.
Until Portugal formally activates EES operations, travelers should be prepared for a mix of old and new systems. During the six-month rollout period, traditional passport stamps may still be used in some locations.
Non-EU citizens currently residing in Portugal should also expect to be subject to facial scans and providing biometric data. It will be important to keep your Portugal resident card with you at all times while traveling through the Schengen to support your right to be able to stay more than 90 days in the Schengen Zone.
What About ETIAS?
Running in parallel to the EES rollout is another major change: the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). Though it has been delayed multiple times, ETIAS is now expected to launch in late 2026.
ETIAS will require visa-exempt travelers such as those from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia to obtain pre-travel authorization before entering any of the 30 European countries that use the system.
How ETIAS Works
ETIAS is not a visa but an online travel authorization linked electronically to your passport. Once approved, it is valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It allows multiple short-term visits of up to 90 days within any 180-day period, but it does not guarantee entry. Border officials still have the final say.
Applying for ETIAS will cost €20, and most applications will be processed within minutes. However, in cases where additional documentation or interviews are required, the decision could take up to 30 days, so travelers are advised to apply well in advance.
Once approved, your ETIAS will be digitally linked to your passport. If your passport details change (for example, if you get a new one), you’ll need to apply for a new ETIAS authorization as well.
What Happens at the Border with ETIAS?
When you arrive in Portugal or another participating country, border agents will scan your passport and verify that you meet all the conditions for entry. If your ETIAS is valid and your biometric data is already in the EES system, the process should be quick especially if you’re using automated eGates. However, failure to present the correct documents or meet the conditions could still result in denied entry.
Why This Matters for Travelers to Portugal
Portugal, already a popular destination for digital nomads, retirees, and short-term tourists, will be deeply impacted by these new systems. The changes will likely reduce wait times at major border crossings in the long term, but during the transitional phase, travelers should be patient and informed.
If you’re planning a trip to Portugal in late 2025 or 2026, be sure to:
- Bring a bottle of water and snacks with you to the immigration line
- Make sure you use the restroom before entering the immigration line
- Stay updated on Portugal’s timeline for EES implementation.
- Consider registering biometric data early, if available.
- Apply for ETIAS once it becomes mandatory in late 2026.
As these systems come online, they mark a shift toward smarter, tech-driven travel across Europe offering more efficiency and tighter security, while still protecting individual privacy through strict data safeguards.
For now, travelers to Portugal should watch this space, plan ahead, and prepare for a new era of digital borders.
