According to a report by Diário de Notícias, Brussels' warnings led the government to impose the measures announced on Tuesday, which include reinforcing human resources, leveraging the capacity of the GNR (National Republican Guard); the immediate suspension for three months of the application of the Entry Exit System (EES) computer system; and an increase of approximately 30% in the capacity of electronic and physical equipment for external border control.

The inspection in question, as summarised at the time by the office of the Secretary-General of the Internal Security System (SSI), was framed “within the framework of the evaluation and monitoring mechanism of the Schengen acquis”. Among the aspects verified are the functioning of large-scale computer systems applicable within the Schengen acquis, in particular the Schengen Information System (SIS) and Sirene, border procedures (first and second line), human resources and training, and also risk analysis.

The team of European experts warned of deficiencies related to the low quality of first and second line border controls, as well as long queues and excessive waiting times, which reportedly reached seven hours. In addition, it pointed out that a simplification of border control procedures was often being carried out, in relation to which the Community Executive had not been notified, concluding that these practices led to a "lack of exit controls at the Lisbon Airport border crossing point". Hence, the Commission determined that the Government should adopt corrective measures, immediately, including mobilising the necessary operational and financial resources. A new evaluation is scheduled for the beginning of the year.