Portugal: Enhanced land border controls and road travel restrictions in Lisbon through early August

Event

Enhanced international land border checks and increased security and road travel restrictions in Lisbon are planned through early August coinciding with World Youth Day. The Catholic event will be held from Aug. 1-6 in the capital. Hundreds of thousands of people are likely to attend the event. Pope Francis is scheduled to attend various related events in Lisbon from Aug. 2-6.

Officials plan to increase checks at border crossings with Spain from July 22-Aug. 7. Travelers will be required to show their passports. Cross-border travel times could increase. A list of impacted border crossings is available here.

Officials in Lisbon will implement road travel restrictions from Aug. 1-6 in the vicinity of Parque Tejo, Parque Eduardo VII, and Praia de Alges. Information regarding the extent and timing of the restrictions is available here.

Heightened security is likely in Lisbon for the duration of the event. Security officials will also likely deploy to sites visited by the Pope, including Figo Maduro Air Base (arrival and departure airport) and Palacio Nacional de Belem. The Pope's full itinerary is accessible here. Increased demand for public transportation, car rental, and hotel accommodation are also likely in Lisbon and surrounding areas through early August.

Advice

Plan for increased wait times at border control sites. Reconfirm the status of public transportation in Lisbon through early August. Plan for increased demand and congestion on available services, particularly those servicing event sites. Heed the directives of officials.

Resources

Municipio de Lisboa
Servico de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (Twitter)
Servico de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras
WYD 2023