Travelers using Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon are experiencing increased wait times, particularly during busy travel periods. The U.S. Mission in Lisbon advises passengers to arrive at least three hours before their scheduled departure to account for possible delays at check-in, security, and passport control.
"Plan to arrive at least 3 hours before your scheduled departure time," the advisory states. "Allow extra time for passport control, which is after security screening and beyond the airport’s shopping area. Passport control can take longer than expected and delays may cause you to miss your flight."
U.S. citizens have the option of using electronic gates for faster processing through passport control unless they are traveling with children, in which case they must use the regular line. Travelers planning to visit the Tax-Free counter should also allow additional time due to commonly long lines.
The U.S. Mission recommends monitoring airline notifications and airport updates closely for current information on flight schedules or further changes.
For more details about traveling to Portugal, travelers can refer to the country-specific information available from the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Portugal. Additional resources include contacting consular services by email or phone as provided by the embassy.
The advisory encourages enrollment in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates relevant to travelers’ destinations.