Last updated: 31 October 2026.
TAP offers online check-in on the website and app, and counters at the airport.
36 hoursonline check-in opens (24 hours on US flights)
45 minusual counter and bag drop cut-off at several airports
30 minbe at the gate
Key times
- Online check-in opens 36 hours before departure; on flights to and from the United States it opens 24 hours before, because of government rules.
- Counter cut-off is airport specific. TAP's table lists 45 minutes before departure for check-in and bag drop at several airports including Lisbon; check your airport.
- Boarding starts about 45 minutes before departure; be at the gate 30 minutes before.
When you may need the counter
- When the card used for the booking needs in-person confirmation, an agent does this at the check-in counter.
- At some airports the boarding pass must be picked up at the counter even after online check-in, so arrive early.
- Connections of 6 to 24 hours: say at departure if you want to collect your bags at the stopover, otherwise they are checked through. Stopovers over 24 hours check you in to the stopover, where bags are collected.
- Unaccompanied minors under 12 with the assistance service cannot check in online.
Questions travellers ask us
When does online check-in open?
36 hours before departure, or 24 hours on US flights.
Baggage Allowance is an independent information site and is not part of TAP Air Portugal. Check the airline's own pages before you travel.
1 question and answers
The cut off check in times may vary from one airport to another. The airline provides the list of these cut-off times here- https://www.flytap.com/en-gb/check-in/check-in-times