The urgency for these new procedures has been underscored by recent chaos at Lisbon Airport, where immigration wait times exceeded three hours.

During the initial implementation phase, travelers can expect longer processing times at document control points, particularly in international airports, although significant constraints are not anticipated.

The new border control measures are intended to enhance the rigor of entry processes, which may lead to increased wait times, as noted by the Agency for Integration, Migrations, and Asylum (AIMA).

These systems will directly impact visa control, biometric registration, and the tracking of movement history for third-country citizens.

Pedro Moura, the coordinator of the Border Coordination Unit, stated that the systems will automate and improve the efficiency of tracking the entry and exit of citizens, focusing on biometric registration and visa control.

The implementation of these controls involves various security forces, including the National Republican Guard (GNR) and Public Security Police (PSP), working alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other national security entities.

This initiative is part of a broader trend in Portugal aimed at modernizing border security and ensuring compliance with EU standards, which includes increased scrutiny of residency applications from non-EU citizens.

Portugal is embarking on a new era of border management, implementing advanced systems such as VIS4EES, PASSE+, and the Border Portal, all designed to enhance innovation and security in alignment with European digital transformation initiatives.

These new systems, which include the European Visa Information System (VIS4EES) and the National Air and Land Border Control System (PASSE+), are being managed by the European agency EU-LISA.

The rollout of these border control systems officially began on May 19, 2025, following recent legislative elections that resulted in a victory for Prime Minister Luís Montenegro's party.

These new border control mechanisms are also seen as a preparatory step for the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), set to launch in 2026, which will require entry authorization from travelers from 59 countries.

For Brazilian nationals, the stricter controls will particularly impact those wishing to stay in Portugal for more than three months, enforcing the 90-day limit for short stays as mandated by European law.