I flew into Lisbon, Portugal on 4/14/26, and waited 3 1/2 hours in the non-EU passport check line. The airport employees (in shocking pink vests) were uninformed and unhelpful. Upon entering the arrival hall, we were directed to a line to scan our passports. When a passenger who was scanning received repeated rejections, I noticed that his passport was British (non EU), and the scanner appeared to be for EU passengers only. I pointed this out to the airport employee, and she simply shrugged. This caused a delay of an additional 15 minutes, even before entering the passport check line. Plane debarcation was via steps, and into a bus which stopped for 10 minutes for no reason, and was delayed another 10 minutes while waiting in a line to access the terminal entrance. At one point while waiting in the passport check line, 4 of the 8 passport clerks left their stations with no replacements (apparently lunch) and returned 40 minutes later. After finally clearing passport check, I discovered my bag was not on the carousel. I asked an employee for assistance, and she directed me to the lost luggage desk. On my way to the lost luggage desk, I found my bag, along with several others, in the middle of a crowded aisle. I will NEVER fly into Lisbon again. And my experience in Portugal did not make up for the misery I experienced entering the country.
Posted by
1844 posts
Is it this much of a nightmare if you've gone through Non-EU passport check at Amsterdam after arriving from the US, and then connect to Lisbon?
Posted by
North Carolina
545 posts
Your story is a fair warning, as I am scheduled to arrive in Lisbon this Friday morning. However, there is nothing I can do, and I am resigned to the stories I am reading about this entry point. The good things are that I don't have a connecting flight or train to catch, and only have carry-on luggage. I can stand without moving for so long, so I will sit on the floor at some point, I suppose!
Posted by
158 posts
I have a hunch they're creating a slow-down again or getting ready to force a strike if they don't settle. Happened to us pre-Covid same story, different year.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
8334 posts
I haven't flown yet with EES. That said, when we flew into Lisbon a couple years ago, our wait was about a half hour, at most. We did arrive quite early in the morning. I heard stories from other people who were in Lisbon at the same time we were, and they talk of very long lines. All I can think is that passenger arrivals fluctuate greatly during the day, and it is hard to manage the fluctuations.
Honestly, there is nothing more maddening when clerks leave and lines are closed when many are waiting. This can happen anywhere, museums, airports, train stations, etc. I'm sorry you had such a terrible experience.
Posted by
NY
637 posts
Is it this much of a nightmare if you've gone through Non-EU passport check at Amsterdam after arriving from the US, and then connect to Lisbon?
No, because you won't be subject to these checks at all in Lisbon. Arriving from a Schengen flight is akin to arriving on a domestic flight in the US or Canada -- i.e. you just walk off the plane to baggage claim, and then out the airport.