Lisbon Airport Security Wait Times & LIS Queue Guide 2026
Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport security wait times by hour, terminal and day. LIS queue estimates for Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, ANA Fast Track priority access, passport control for non-Schengen routes, peak hours and the quietest windows to fly from one of Europe’s busiest and most congested airports.
Lisbon Airport Security Wait Times Today
The Lisbon Airport security wait times below show the typical LIS queue at each terminal for this hour and day of week. Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS/LPPT) handled 36.1 million passengers in 2025, making it the 16th largest airport in Europe and one of the fastest growing on the continent. Despite this scale, the airport was designed for far lower volumes and consistently ranks among Europe’s most congested for security and passport control queues. Wait times at LIS vary considerably by terminal, time of day, flight destination and season.
How Long Is Security at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport?
Security wait times at Lisbon Airport are longer on average than at most comparably sized European airports. The airport regularly operates above its designed capacity and has ranked poorly in independent customer satisfaction surveys, with AirHelp placing it among the lowest-scoring airports in Europe for overall experience in 2024. During quieter weekday windows, most passengers can clear LIS security in 15 to 25 minutes. During the early morning peak and throughout the summer holiday season, waits of 30 to 60 minutes are not unusual, and total processing time can exceed an hour once the separate passport control step at Terminal 1 is included for non-Schengen routes.
There are two meaningful ways to reduce your time in the LIS security queue. First, booking ANA Fast Track via store.ana.pt before your flight gives access to a dedicated priority lane at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at relatively low cost. Second, checking in online and using the self-service bag drop reduces your total landside time before reaching the security checkpoint. Passengers flying from Terminal 2 must also factor in the shuttle ride from Terminal 1, which adds 15 to 20 minutes before they even reach that terminal’s security checkpoint.
Lisbon Airport Security Context and Recent Changes
Lisbon Airport has faced persistent criticism for congestion across its security and passport control operations. The airport serves far more passengers than its infrastructure was built to handle, and the shared Terminal 1 security checkpoint serves a very wide mix of flight types simultaneously. ANA Aeroportos de Portugal announced a 233 million euro investment programme that includes terminal expansion, new boarding bridges and gate capacity upgrades, with work ongoing through 2026 and beyond.
On the technology side, CT scanner deployment at Lisbon Airport is underway but remains uneven. Some security lanes at Terminal 1 have been fitted with newer C3 scanning equipment that allows laptops and electronics to stay inside bags. Other lanes still use legacy equipment requiring laptops and large electronics to be removed. Until the rollout is complete and consistent, treat the standard screening rules as applying: remove laptops and tablets from your bag and place liquids in a transparent resealable 1-litre bag with each container at no more than 100ml. The rule on any given lane can change without notice if staff switch equipment.
Lisbon Airport Security Wait Times by Terminal
Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport operates two terminal buildings with separate security checkpoints. Your terminal is determined by your airline and route, not a choice you make on the day. Terminal 1 handles all arrivals and the vast majority of departures. Terminal 2 is a dedicated departures-only facility for low-cost carriers on Schengen European routes. If you are departing from Terminal 2, your journey to the airport still begins at Terminal 1, where you take the free shuttle to the separate building.
Terminal 1 Security
15 to 25 minutes off-peak on weekdays. During the 06:00 to 09:00 morning peak in summer, expect 35 to 60 minutes in the standard lane. Non-Schengen passengers must allow additional time for the separate passport control checkpoint after security.
Terminal 1 is Lisbon’s main terminal building and the only terminal used for arrivals. Its security checkpoint is shared across all Terminal 1 departures, which means Schengen and non-Schengen passengers queue together before reaching the gates. After clearing security and passing through the duty free area, passengers on non-Schengen flights (to the UK, USA, Canada, Brazil, African destinations and other countries outside the Schengen zone) must pass through a separate passport control checkpoint before reaching their gates. This step catches many passengers off guard because it sits later in the process than expected. Allow a minimum of 15 additional minutes for passport control on top of your security wait, and more during the morning peak or summer months. Bus boarding is also common at Terminal 1 due to the high volume of remote aircraft stands.
Terminal 2 Security
10 to 20 minutes off-peak. Terminal 2 handles lower overall passenger volume than Terminal 1, which tends to keep queues shorter at the security checkpoint itself. However, the shuttle from Terminal 1 adds 15 to 20 minutes of transit time before you reach Terminal 2 security.
Terminal 2 is a no-frills dedicated departures building approximately 1 kilometre from Terminal 1. It serves only Schengen European routes operated by low-cost carriers, so there is no passport control step after security. The free shuttle from Terminal 1 Departures level runs roughly every 10 minutes and takes around 3 minutes to complete the journey. You cannot walk between the two terminals via any public route. If you are departing from Terminal 2, allow the full shuttle buffer on top of your standard arrival time. Terminal 2 has a more limited retail and food offering compared to Terminal 1, though it was modernised in recent years.
Lisbon Airport Security Peak Hours and Best Times to Fly
The worst window for Lisbon Airport security wait times is 06:00 to 09:00 daily, driven by the morning short-haul and intercontinental departure surge that compresses into the Terminal 1 checkpoint simultaneously. Saturday and Sunday mornings during summer are the worst combination at LIS, and school holiday periods (late June to early September, Easter week, Christmas to New Year) can push waits well beyond typical figures. Lisbon’s summer tourism season is one of the most intense in Southern Europe.
The quietest windows at Lisbon Airport are 10:00 to 13:00 on weekdays and late evenings after 21:00. A midweek midday departure from Terminal 1 can clear security in under 15 minutes. If you have flexibility, travelling Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday in the middle of the day offers the lightest queues across both terminals.
| Time of Day | Typical LIS Security Wait (Terminal 1) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 05:00 to 07:00 | 35 to 60 min (longer in school holidays) | Peak |
| 07:00 to 09:00 | 25 to 45 min | Busy |
| 09:00 to 10:00 | 15 to 30 min | Moderate |
| 10:00 to 13:00 | 12 to 20 min | Quiet |
| 13:00 to 16:00 | 15 to 25 min | Moderate |
| 16:00 to 20:00 | 20 to 35 min | Moderate |
| 20:00 to 23:00 | 12 to 20 min | Quiet |
| 23:00 to 04:59 | Under 15 min | Quiet |
Lisbon Airport Priority Security Options
Unlike some Northern European airports, Lisbon Airport offers a straightforward per-trip Fast Track lane that any departing passenger can book directly before their flight. Priority security access at LIS comes primarily through three routes: the ANA Fast Track service operated by the airport, airline priority lanes included with business class tickets or elite frequent flyer status, and TAP Air Portugal’s Fast Track add-on available during booking or online check-in.
Recommended Arrival Times at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport
The official guidance from ANA and most airlines operating at LIS is to arrive 3 hours before non-Schengen intercontinental departures. For Schengen European flights from Terminal 1, 2 hours is generally sufficient outside peak holiday periods. For Terminal 2 departures, add 15 to 20 minutes on top of these figures for the shuttle transfer from Terminal 1. During July, August or school holiday weekends, add 30 to 45 minutes to any recommendation.
When Should I Leave for Lisbon Airport? Calculator
Enter your flight details below to get a recommended arrival time at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport. The calculator factors the typical LIS security wait at your departure hour, shuttle time for Terminal 2 departures, passport control where applicable, bag drop time and a safety buffer.
Tips to Beat Lisbon Airport Security Queues
Lisbon Airport is one of the trickiest airports in Europe to navigate at speed. A few targeted choices can make a substantial difference to your time in the queue.
- Book ANA Fast Track before you travel. Available at store.ana.pt for both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at modest cost. During the morning peak in summer this is the single most effective way to reduce your time at the security checkpoint without changing anything else about your journey.
- Know where passport control is if you are flying non-Schengen. The passport control checkpoint at Terminal 1 sits after security and after the duty free zone, much closer to the international gates. Many passengers are caught out by this layout. Go straight through after security without stopping to browse.
- Account for the Terminal 2 shuttle if that is your departure terminal. The shuttle from Terminal 1 Departures level runs roughly every 10 minutes and takes 3 minutes. Add a minimum of 15 to 20 minutes on top of your Terminal 2 security wait to account for the transfer.
- Check in online and use self-service bag drop. TAP and several other carriers offer self-service bag drop at Terminal 1, which removes one variable from your landside processing time before you reach security.
- Pack liquids in hold baggage. CT scanner coverage at LIS is partial and inconsistent. Not all lanes allow electronics or liquids to stay in bags. Packing liquids in hold baggage entirely removes this friction point regardless of which lane you end up at.
- Go straight to your departure gate at Terminal 1 if you are in a hurry. Terminal 1’s retail and food zone after security is large and easy to get lost in. If your departure time is approaching, skip the shops and head directly to your gate or passport control.
- Use the ANA Airport app for live crowd level warnings. The app shows current and forecast busyness for Lisbon Airport and allows you to plan your arrival time with more precision than a fixed rule of thumb.
Lisbon Airport Layout and Terminal Overview
Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport is Portugal’s primary international gateway and the main hub for TAP Air Portugal and its Star Alliance partners. It sits 7 kilometres northeast of Lisbon city centre in the Portela district and handled 36.1 million passengers in 2025, representing year-on-year growth of 2.9 percent on 2024’s record of over 35 million. The airport has been expanding faster than almost any other major airport in Europe over the past decade, growing from the 28th largest in 2010 to the 16th largest today.
The airport operates two terminals. Terminal 1 is the main building and processes all arrivals regardless of airline, plus the majority of departures. It has extensive retail, dining and lounge facilities including the TAP Premium Lounge and the ANA Lounge (accessible to Priority Pass members and paid entry). Terminal 2 is a smaller, dedicated departures building for Schengen low-cost carriers, reached via the free shuttle from Terminal 1 Departures level. The Metro Red Line connects Terminal 1 directly to Lisbon city centre, with Saldanha station reached in around 20 minutes. For the complete terminal layout, gate map and transport guide, see our Lisbon Airport map and terminal guide.
Lisbon Airport Security — FAQ
How long is security at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport in 2026?
Security wait times at Lisbon Airport vary considerably by time of day and season. During quieter windows on weekdays, most passengers clear LIS security in 15 to 25 minutes. During the early morning peak between 06:00 and 09:00, and throughout summer school holidays, waits of 30 to 60 minutes are common at Terminal 1. Lisbon is one of Europe’s most congested airports relative to its capacity and the security queue can combine with passport control at non-Schengen gates to create total processing times well over an hour during peak periods.
Does Lisbon Airport have Fast Track security?
Yes. Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport offers a Fast Track priority security channel at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, operated by ANA Aeroportos de Portugal. It can be booked directly via store.ana.pt before your flight. TAP Air Portugal also sells Fast Track as an add-on through their booking process. Some airlines include priority security access for business class passengers or elite frequent flyer members. Fast Track gives access to a dedicated priority lane and is one of the most effective tools for reducing wait time at LIS during busy periods.
What are the peak hours at Lisbon Airport security?
The busiest window at Lisbon Airport security is 06:00 to 09:00 daily, driven by the early morning short-haul and long-haul departure wave. Saturday and Sunday mornings are consistently the worst combination and summer school holidays from late June to early September add significantly to wait times. July and August are the most congested months at LIS. The quietest windows are 10:00 to 13:00 on weekdays, particularly Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
What is the difference between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Lisbon Airport for security?
Terminal 1 handles all arrivals and the majority of departures, including all full-service airlines and non-Schengen routes. After clearing security, passengers on non-Schengen routes must also pass through a separate passport control checkpoint before reaching their gates. Terminal 2 is a dedicated low-cost departures terminal with its own security checkpoint and no passport control step. It is reached via a free shuttle from Terminal 1 Departures level, running every 10 minutes. You cannot walk directly between terminals.
Do I need to go through passport control at Lisbon Airport when departing?
It depends on your destination. Schengen European departures do not require passport control. Passengers on non-Schengen routes (to the UK, USA, Canada, Brazil, Africa and other countries outside the Schengen zone) must clear a passport control checkpoint at Terminal 1, located after security and the duty free area. This step catches many passengers off guard. Allow at least 15 additional minutes for passport control on top of your security wait, and more during the morning peak or summer months.
Are CT scanners installed at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport?
CT scanner deployment at Lisbon Airport is underway but uneven as of 2026. Some security lanes at Terminal 1 have C3 scanners that allow laptops and electronics to stay in bags. Other lanes still use legacy equipment requiring laptops to be removed. Until rollout is complete, treat the standard rules as applying: remove laptops and large electronics from your bag and place liquids in a transparent resealable 1-litre bag with each container no more than 100ml. The rule at any given lane can change without notice.
What time should I arrive at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport?
For non-Schengen intercontinental departures, arrive at least 3 hours before your flight to allow for check-in, security and the separate passport control step. For Schengen European departures from Terminal 1, 2 hours is generally sufficient outside school holidays. For Terminal 2 departures, add 15 to 20 minutes for the shuttle from Terminal 1. During July and August or school holiday weekends, add 30 to 45 minutes to all figures.
Which airlines use Terminal 2 at Lisbon Airport?
Terminal 2 is used exclusively for departures by low-cost carriers on Schengen European routes. Airlines currently operating from Terminal 2 include Ryanair, Wizz Air, Norwegian, Transavia, Volotea, Vueling and Eurowings. All other airlines depart from Terminal 1. Regardless of which terminal you depart from, all arrivals are processed at Terminal 1. Always confirm your departure terminal with your airline before travelling.