The strike by the border control inspectors from the Aliens and Borders Service (SEF) said on Sunday that all categories of staff had been on strike at Lisbon, Oporto, Faro and Madeira airports.
At airports were guaranteed the legal minimum of services and delays of up to 2 hours have been the norm for departures of international flights.
The only airport that had full staffing levels was in the Azores where the number of employees is so low it is impossible for them to join the strike while maintaining minimum service levels.
"This is an historic moment because for the first time, all professional categories have joined the strike," said Acacio Pereira from the SEF union.
The strike by SEF inspectors will continue into Monday at airports, sea ports and customs posts, but are locations will have the guaranteed minimum service.
The protest is of course over the planned cuts to salaries in 2014, the lack of staff to keep borders safe and the imposition of contractual changes.
