Based on a recent experience departing from Lisbon Airport to the US, it’s highly recommended to arrive at least 3.5 hours before your flight. The airport was already quite disorganized, and current entry/exit system changes have made things even more chaotic.
Even with boarding passes and no checked luggage, the process wasn’t smooth. Security took about 25 minutes, and after that, passengers need to head toward the non-Schengen (N) gates for passport control. However, once there, the situation became confusing—there was little to no signage, and only one overwhelmed staff member trying to manage multiple lines and answer questions.
Traveling with children meant the e-gates couldn’t be used, so we had to go through staffed counters. Even choosing the correct line was unclear, as some lanes appeared designated for EU/EEA passports only, adding to the uncertainty.
After a long wait and some guesswork, we eventually made it through. In the end, the process was standard, with no biometric checks involved, but the lack of organization and guidance made it unnecessarily stressful.
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