en 
At the press conference following the Council of Ministers, António Leitão Amaro told journalists that this measure is included in a draft law on border control approved by the Government and that it will be sent to the Assembly of the Republic.
“We are regulating a new system for controlling exits and entries into the national territory via external borders”, said the Minister, explaining that citizens coming from outside the Schengen area, in order to enter Portugal, must undergo the collection of biometric and personal data.
“This is a fundamental element in order to have the appropriate information for inspection and to ensure the regularity of entry into Portugal”, stated the minister.
Leitão Amaro added that this measure “is implying a strong technological investment in machines, equipment, people and also in entry rules”, stressing that the control will be “more effective, and stronger at the entrances and exits” of citizens coming from outside the Schengen area.
“The Government has always said that Portugal needs immigration, we have to integrate the immigrants we receive in an effective and humane way, but we also need immigration with active and regulated inspection and that is why we have approved a bill that will be submitted to parliament in the next few hours and that is already scheduled for discussion in two weeks”, he added.
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I've visited 4 times this year, and spent a Bug chunk of change on each visit. As a family we love Portugal but we are fed up of being treated like 3rd class citizens. Sort your borders out or your going to destroy your tourism industry. We as a family are fed up to the back teeth of our treatment, as are many more of the UK population. It will be a shame if you wreck what is a beautiful country through stubborn pig headed attitudes to Brits
By Alan from UK on 27 Sep 2024, 21:04
Please don't blame Portugal , blame Brexit . Brits will have plenty of rules to follow to enter Scengen countries and yes, all because of Brexit and the people of the UK that voted for it.
By Simon from Lisbon on 28 Sep 2024, 13:00
Alan - What are the stubborn pigheaded attitudes towards Brits of which you speak?
By Scott from Lisbon on 28 Sep 2024, 15:50
Does that apply to EU Citizens like Ireland and Cyprus not members of Schengen zone , meaning that Irish Citizens will have to submit to finger print and facial recognition checks .
By Jacqui Smith from Other on 28 Sep 2024, 17:16
This applies to all visitors outside of EU it’s not directed at British visitors.
By Michael McCleave from UK on 28 Sep 2024, 17:46
To all Brits complaining: unfortunately you brought all this hassle upon yourselves when you the UK voted out.
By PDL from Alentejo on 28 Sep 2024, 20:39
The Brits are not being picked on. It's childish to say so. We, the Brits chose by a very narrow majority to leave the E. U. and the Schengen area. Congratulations to the Portuguese government on keeping the borders of the Schengen area secure. Security of boarders is very familiar to Brits in the UK who have been demanding this of their governments before the Brexit referendum was held.
By Arthur Roberts from UK on 29 Sep 2024, 13:22
Brexit has nothing to do with these new Schengen regulations. The UK was never a part of Schengen.
By Richard from Madeira on 30 Sep 2024, 09:37
The EU already has a system in place that could achieve the key goals of this legislation. Why would legal visitors and citizens from outside the Schengen zone have to complete yet another intrusive biometric check when the new ETIAS visa system and digital passports should make this unnecessary? Is Portugal even ready to implement ETIAS and digital passports let alone spend money on yet another system? Even if all they want is just biometric data, over and above ETIAS, then they can join existing data sharing agreements involving countries such as the US, UK, etc. and cover almost all legal tourists and visitors. Who is left out? Well...those entering illegally who won't comply anyway.
Although they won't say it, existing data sharing agreements would give them access to all passport related data sharing involving western countries. Border agents already have extensive access to data attached to your passport.
If Portugal wants to go on its own, then withdraw from Schengen and ETIAS. What is the real purpose of this law, is it for the government to have a political argument against CHEGA and collect yet more biometric data? If the real target is "immigrants we don't want", probably from third world countries, Africa, China, and Russia -- not the UK/EU/USA this won't do that. The real result will be loss of visitors from places where most travelers have money to spend in Portugal. The illegals aren't going to get a biometric check.
I am NOT anti-immigrant at all, I am one. My parents and grandparents were. Portugal needs them. This seems like it is just political window dressing.
By Rob S. from Algarve on 30 Sep 2024, 14:32
Poor old Alan. I think the only pig headed attitude is emanating from him. I travel up to 6 times a year to beautiful Portugal. I have a house on the Algarve. You get queues all over the world...(USA anyone ?!).
Im sure once the bugs have been ironed out of the new system it will be fine. Just chill out Alan !
By Steve B from UK on 30 Sep 2024, 17:21
The UK opted out of joining Schengen in 1999. I find it hilarious that Brits are up in arms about this as though it is aimed at them...entitlement or what? Britain is a tiny insignificant island on its own now and can not expect any favours from the EU so suck it up. This was why I became a resident of Portugal...anything that being stuck there. I doubt this will happen for a while though just as it is being pushed back all the time in the UK...no one has the money to implement it.
By Andrew Cossins from Beiras on 01 Oct 2024, 05:54
To Alan: you spend money here? guess we should bow and ask you for forgiveness. You can spend your money in your Brexit country, maybe will save you from the brits stupidity.
By Josh from Alentejo on 01 Oct 2024, 14:48
Canadian here! I am now looking into the ETIAS requirements for entering the Schengen area. Is this what is meant by more border control? If so, we are happy to provide whatever is needed.
By Bonnie from Other on 01 Oct 2024, 21:53
Starmer needs to grow a backbone, send in the gunboats & lay siege to Lisbon until it changes its mind. Perhaps only then will the Portuguese government see the error of its ways.
By Mark Barber from UK on 02 Oct 2024, 09:29