Brits heading to Portugal urged to download queue-jump app

Brits heading to Portugal face new friction points at EU borders as the European Entry/Exit System (EES) adds processing on arrival and departure. With the EES reportedly driving queues at destinations including Spain, Greece and France, Spanish local media warned of up to six-hour waits and there have been reports of passengers missing flights. The system applies biometric collection, including facial images and fingerprints, for non-EU visitors such as UK travellers, who must also use departure machines to support overstays detection. To reduce time at kiosks, the Travel to Europe app is currently available for visitors to Portugal or Sweden. It lets users register up to 72 hours before travel, scan passport chip details, take a selfie, and answer trip questions. It does not guarantee entry and passengers can still be selected for extra checks, though early reviews are mixed.