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Lisbon, Portugal Airport Insane 3 1/2 Hour Wait in Passport Check Line

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
1800 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
537 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.