Lisbon, Sept. 13, 2026 (Lusa) - The PSP police force has collected biometric data over the past week from all passengers travelling from outside the Schengen area, and operations are proceeding smoothly at Portuguese airports, with Faro under some pressure.
In an interview with Lusa, the deputy national director of the PSP and head of the PSP's National Unit for Foreigners and Borders (UNEF), Chief Superintendent João Ribeiro, stated that 100% collection of biometric data is currently proceeding «smoothly» at all airports, «with the exception of Faro, which is under greater pressure».
According to the official, whilst there was a possibility of suspending biometric checks, staff at Lisbon airport used to hold up a passenger for between five and 15 minutes; currently, the wait is between 15 and 30 minutes.
«Which is quite acceptable. The main pressure is at Faro airport, due to a series of factors, but we are trying to minimise this impact as much as possible,» he maintained.
João Ribeiro explained that certain factors at Faro Airport have ultimately had an impact, specifying: «Whether it be weather conditions or air traffic delays that cause certain peaks to coincide, as was the case yesterday [Thursday], when, in the space of 25 minutes, we had more than 10 flights landing, carrying a large number of passengers, mainly British, which, for that very reason, put pressure on border controls.» Since 6 September 2024, Portuguese airports have been required to collect biometric data (such as photographs and fingerprints) from all passengers arriving in Portugal from countries outside the Schengen Area or the European Union.
The collection of biometric data forms part of the European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES), which came into operation in October 2025 in phases; until now, authorities could suspend this collection when queues formed at passenger control points.
Airports, particularly in Lisbon, experienced congestion for several months this year, with passengers waiting for several hours; the situation improved after the end of May following the deployment of additional staff and technical resources.
«Three factors were key: the investment made in technology, the reorganisation of airport areas to improve passenger flow, and the operational reinforcement we received in terms of staff capacity,» he said, referring to the 360 staff members deployed at air borders.
Although biometric data collection is now operating at full capacity, the head of UNEF told Lusa that the European Commission has allowed, until December, the option to waive biometrics when technological problems arise, bearing in mind that some EU countries are still putting the necessary measures in place to ensure the EES.
«The option has been granted – not a suspension in the traditional sense – but the possibility, at certain times, mainly due to technological constraints and whilst the various Member States are still developing full capacity, to, in practical terms, refrain from applying biometrics when technological problems arise,» he explained.
Although operations ran smoothly during the summer months, the deputy national director of the PSP said that it is not possible to ensure «absolutely» that the problems at airports will not recur, as they depend on various factors, notably technology – from both a national and European perspective – and human resources.
«We are working to minimise any such issues, although every measure is being taken to do so,» he emphasised, adding that the PSP feels «quite confident» due to «all the investment that has been made in human resources and technological resources».
Over the past year, the UNEF has invested in human resources, with 1,504 police officers currently working in airport security and border control at airports: 706 in Lisbon, 325 in Porto, 215 in Faro, 115 in Madeira, 124 in the Azores and 19 in Beja.
Despite this increase in staff, the head of UNEF said they are currently «at 80% of the recommended capacity», and it is now necessary to focus on «more technical» human resources with the skills to detect forged documents and to foresee and anticipate migration risks.
«It is more a question of technical expertise and specialisation than a need for additional staff. At the moment, we are in a comfortable position,» he added.
CMP/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
