Hi all, visiting Lisbon in a couple of weeks and understand that US passport holders can save time at passport control by using the e-gates at both arrivals and departures. My query is around the passport stamp- if we use the e-gates, how can we prove when we entered and left Schengen? We are visiting other Schengen countries later in the year and would need to prove we haven't overstayed the 90 days in 180 days limit. Is it best to just wait in the 'other passports' line?
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2599 posts
you go through the e-gates then they stamp your passport
Posted by
361 posts
Our experience at Lisbon airport is that the egates are a hit and a miss, sometimes they work sometimes they don't.
It has happened to us several times , if it happens to you just wave at the local official to help you and they'll guide you to the regular passport control.
Posted by
51 posts
My apologies for jumping in here with an additional questions but is says you must be 18 years old to use the egates. What about children traveling with their parents?
Posted by
USA
134 posts
On departure, E gates was not an option offered that day for us.
(So others can opine)
Line was fast moving but took almost 45 minutes. Since US dots not have this additional "emigration" step AFTER usual security many pax were caught by surprise and plane had to be held back as dozen to 20 people reached gate late.
Upon arrival, Egates was offered as an option to US passport holders but since multiple US flights had arrived at almost same time, line was so big that it was quicker to go through "All other passports" line.
Arrival experience was typical of an EU airport and nothing like US or UK for nonresident
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5853 posts
how can we prove when we entered and left Schengen?
Just use the egates if they are available. There is an electronic record of when you entered.
Keep a record of the date for your own purposes so you can calculate your time in the Schengen area. If you are concerned about proof, save your boarding passes.
Posted by
18 posts
Must be 18 years old to go through e-gate. If traveling with children, then you have to use the regular line.