Portugal tightening border controls

Lisbon: Citizens from outside the Schengen area who wish to enter Portugal must undergo a biometric and personal data check, according to the Minister of the Presidency, stating that this is “a fundamental element” for monitoring.

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.