Brits set to travel to Portugal this year should read the latest travel advice from the government body.
The Foreign Office has issued a travel update for Portugal.(Image: Getty Images)
The Foreign Office has issued a travel update for Portugal ahead of the upcoming summer holidays. A holiday hotspot for solo travellers and families, Portugal promises to provide stunning beaches, insightful culture and toasty temperatures throughout the summer months.
The latest update from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) applies to mainland Portugal, as well as Madeira, Porto Santo and the Azores. Issued on April 27, the new advice shares additional information on the European Entry/Exit System (EES).
The new EES system was officially rolled out on April 10, although some holiday destinations have been trialling the system since October last year. Taking over from the traditional system of having your passport stamped at border control, Brits now need to provide fingertips and facial recognition through a digital system.
While this new system is said to eventually cut down time at border control in the Schengen area and make the process run smoother, it has caused havoc for some passengers who have missed their flights home after reportedly waiting in three hour long queues.
In the newest update from Foreign Office, travellers are being alerted that they can speed up their time at border checks in Portugal if they sign up to a free app. This app will allow travellers to fill in the entry questionnaire before they arrive at the EES system.
The update states: “Prior to travelling to Portugal, you can use the EU’s Travel to Europe mobile application to complete an entry questionnaire. The application is optional, but it can help you save time and speed up border checks.”]
How does the Travel to Europe app work?
The Travel to Europe mobile app is designed to help non-EU travellers who need to use the EES system. The new digital registration applies to third-party countries, such as Australia, American, Canada and the UK. It should be noted that Ireland and Cyprus are not in the Schengen area so normal checks can be followed.
The mobile app created by the European Union allows travellers to pre-register some of the data they will be asked to give at the EES border check.
Non-EU nationals can use the app to pre-register their data within 72 hours prior to entering or leaving a European country using the app. Although the app does not replace border checks, it should make crossing the border “smoother, faster and more efficient”.
For Brits travelling to Portugal, this app – that can be downloaded on iOS and Android devices – will allow passengers to fill in the entry questionnaire before going to border control.
The questionnaire typically asks travellers about the purpose of their trip (such as business or tourism), if they have accommodation and return flights, and how long they will be staying in the Schengen country.
If this is already completed, travellers will only need to go through their fingertip and facial registration if it is the first use, and provide their passport data. Once this data has been registered, travellers’ digital record should be kept for three years to speed up the process.
Travellers to Sweden are also able to use the Travel to Europe app but to a further extent. Along with the entry questionnaire, Brits will also be able to pre-register their passport data and facial image before going to Swedish border control.
However, the Foreign Office also states: “You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border on entry to the Schengen area, but EES may take each passenger extra time to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border and to allow more time for immigration controls when you depart the Schengen area.”
It should be noted that Greece has temporarily suspended the EES for British travellers in the coming months, meaning holidaymakers will follow the traditional border check system.
