The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has revised its travel advice for Portugal, incorporating new guidance on the Entry/Exit System (EES) and options for extending stays beyond 90 days in exceptional cases. Issued on 20 March 2026 and marked current as of 25 March 2026, the update appears on the official gov.uk page for Portugal, which also covers Madeira, Porto Santo, and the Azores.www.gov.uk This comes amid ongoing post-Brexit adjustments for British travellers in the Schengen Area.

Key changes focus on the EES, an automated EU system set to track entries and exits for non-EU nationals like UK citizens, replacing manual passport stamps to enforce the 90-day-in-180-day rule more precisely. The advice now details how EES will register biometric data—such as fingerprints and facial images—at Portuguese borders, potentially causing initial delays during rollout. Travellers are urged to check real-time border wait times and carry proof of onward travel or sufficient funds.

For those needing to overstay, the FCDO highlights pathways for visa extensions in exceptional circumstances, such as medical emergencies or unforeseen events, directing users to the updated 'Entry requirements' section. British nationals should apply through Portuguese immigration authorities before their 90 days expire, with supporting documents like medical certificates. The guidance stresses consulting local consulates and maintaining comprehensive travel insurance, as failure to comply could result in fines or entry bans to the Schengen zone.