EU Entry/Exit System causes up to 6-hour waits at Lisbon Airport

Disruption overview

The EU's Entry/Exit System is creating long lines at Lisbon Airport (LIS) and other European entry points as first-time non-EU travelers complete new biometric checks. Since the system became fully operational on 10 April 2026, some passengers have faced waits of 4 to 6 hours and missed onward connections.

Smartraveller is urging Australians to leave much more time at the airport, choose flexible tickets, and prepare for slow-moving queues. At Lisbon, some passengers were reportedly fast-tracked only when they were close to departure, including some flying with TAP Air Portugal. Because the disruption is linked to government border processing rather than an airline-controlled problem, compensation under EC 261 is usually unlikely, although care and assistance may still apply if your flight is disrupted.

Get flight compensation

Check if the airline owes you money for your delayed or canceled flight

Disruption details

Travelers passing through Lisbon Airport (LIS) and other European entry points are facing long waits after the EU's Entry/Exit System became fully operational on 10 April 2026. Some passengers are spending 4 to 6 hours in line, and missed onward connections are already being reported.

For passengers, that can mean arriving much earlier than planned, standing in slow-moving queues before departure, and watching tight connections slip away.

The new system applies to non-EU nationals entering the 29-country Schengen zone. For first-time users, it requires fingerprints, a photograph, and screening questions at airport kiosks before their details are added to the database. It was designed to replace manual passport stamps, but the extra steps are currently slowing arrivals rather than speeding them up.

On Friday, 29 May 2026, Australia's official consular advice service, Smartraveller, warned that some European airports are seeing waits of 4 to 6 hours. It said passengers have already missed onward connections and advised travelers to leave extra time between flights, choose flexible tickets where possible, and arrive well ahead of departure.

Lisbon has already become one of the clearest examples. At Lisbon Airport, CNN correspondent Clarissa Ward missed a flight after encountering what she called the longest line she had ever seen. Families with young children and older passengers were also caught up in the delays.

Ward also observed that staff were fast-tracking some passengers flying with TAP Air Portugal (TP) only when they were close to departure, while others remained in line. Similar scenes have been seen in other European cities since the phased rollout began in October 2025, and some airlines have asked authorities to suspend the checks during peak season.

Summer holiday demand is now putting even more pressure on the system. With peak travel only just beginning, passengers should be prepared for delays to continue for now.

If you're flying to Europe soon, it may help to:

• Build extra time into any connection.

• Choose flexible tickets if you can.

• Arrive at the terminal well ahead of departure.

• Ask airport staff for help if you have mobility or health needs.

• Carry water and snacks in case the queue moves slowly.

Because these delays come from government border processing rather than something your airline controls, compensation under EC 261 is usually unlikely. Still, if your flight is disrupted as a result, your airline should still offer appropriate care and assistance, such as meals, refreshments, rebooking, or a refund, depending on what happens. Although compensation is unlikely here, that doesn't mean you're without support. If you want to understand what may apply to your trip, you can use AirHelp's free flight checker.

Protect your future trips with AirHelp+

Secure your flights, luggage and get lounge access