Article by Raquel Dias - Lawyer at International Atlantic Services

Portugal has expanded access to automated border control gates (e-gates) at its international airports, allowing foreign nationals legally residing in the country to benefit from a faster and more streamlined border control process.

The new measure allows holders of a valid Portuguese residence permit to use e-gates when entering and leaving Portugal, reducing the need to rely exclusively on manual passport control.

What changes for foreign residents?

Until now, many non-EU nationals residing in Portugal were required to pass through manual border control, despite holding a valid Portuguese residence permit. Under the new procedure, eligible foreign residents may now use the automated e-gates available at Portuguese airports.

To use the system, passengers must carry both their valid Portuguese residence permit and the passport associated with that permit. If the passport presented does not correspond to the one linked to the residence permit, the automated system may not recognise the traveller as eligible to use the e-gate.

The measure is expected to facilitate border crossings for foreign residents, particularly during periods of high passenger traffic, while making greater use of Portugal's automated border control infrastructure.

For foreign nationals legally residing in Portugal, this represents an important practical improvement when travelling through Portuguese airports and another step towards simplifying border procedures for residents.

At IAS, we continue to monitor developments affecting immigration and residence procedures in Portugal, providing our clients with clear and up-to-date information on changes that may impact their residence and travel experience.