Portugal removes quarantine for unvaccinated UK travellers

Portugal Travel update: Portugal is leading the covid 19 vaccination in the European Union and has now vaccinated over 80% of its population and is now able to remove some stricter restrictions to its population and visitors.

From the 1st September UK travellers are no longer required to quarantine if unvaccinated. Currently the only requirements for UK travellers travelling to Portugal mainland is to show a negative Covid-19 test.

All travellers from the UK, 12 years old and ove,  are still required to present a negative Covid test before travelling.
The test can be an antigen lateral flow test done within 48 hours before travelling or a PCR test done up to 72 hours before departure.

Travellers from the UK who have an EU Digital Covid Certificate are exempt from showing a negative covid test.
Note that fully vaccinated UK residents who hold an NHS vaccine certificate are still required to show a negative covid 19 test before departure.

This applies only to mainland Portugal.

 

TRAVELLING TO MAINLAND PORTUGAL (Porto / Lisbon / Faro)

Before departure
Complete the Online Passenger Locator Card
https://portugalcleanandsafe.pt/en/passenger-locator-card

Covid-19 tests 
The airline can refuse boarding to passengers that fail to show the documentation below:

• All travellers to mainland Portugal aged 12 or older are required to show a negative Covid-19 test:

1. RT-PCR taken within 72 hours of departure or
2. Lateral flow test taken 48 hours prior to departure

Exemptions for negative covid test:

• EU Digital Covid Certificate
• Under 12 years old
•  

MADEIRA (Funchal / Porto Santo)

Complete the mandatory epidemiological survey, provided by the Regional Health Authority, on the digital platform madeirasafe.com
 
The completion can be done within 48 to 12 hours prior to boarding and must be completed by each individual except dependents up to age of 11 years old, whose registration must be included in the survey of one of the accompanying adults.

After completing the registration, the passenger receives a notification, via e-mail, with a access code for the madeirasafe.com platform.
 
The passenger should login to the madeirasafe.com account to access the QR Code to be shown on arrival to Madeira Airport.
 
The PCR test result can also be submitted in advance on the platform.
 
Testing for COVID-19
All passengers that carry a negative PCR test for COVID-19 at the time of arrival will be free to proceed to their accommodation. The test has to be carried out within 72 hours prior to boarding in laboratories certified by national or international authorities.

Passengers who have not undergone PCR testing upon arrival to Madeira will be tested at the airport (free of charge)
 
The traveller will proceed to their booked accommodation where they must wait for the result of the test (on average 12 hours)

Positive Result
If the passenger has tested positive for C-19 must comply with mandatory confinement for a period of 14 days at a health establishment or at home or booked accommodation (depending on the decision of the health authorities)

Exemptions on showing a PCR test for COVID-19

Vaccinated / recovered COVID-19 Patients

• Vaccinated travellers (at least 14 days prior to their flight) and individuals that can show proof of infection and recovery within 180 days of their arrival to Madeira are exempt of showing a C-19 test
•  Proof of vaccination / immunisation must be submitted to madeirasafe.com or the MadeiraSafe app before traveling. 

For more information about travelling to Madeira please go to MadeiraSafetoDiscover

 

AZORES (Ponta Delgada)

• All passengers travelling to the Azores have to show proof of a negative Covid-19 RT-PCR test either printed or in digital format taken within 72 hours of departure. This measure does not apply to children aged 12 years or less.
• Questionnaire for Risk Assessment and Early Detection of SARS-CoV-2: Complete and submit the result of the test within 72 hours before the start of their trip. The questionnaire can be found here: https://mysafeazores.com/

 

IF STAYING MORE THAN 7 DAYS IN THE AZORES

• Passengers will need to contact the Health Authority of the municipality where they are staying (https://covid19.azores.gov.pt/?page_id=1426), in order to book a second COVID-19 screening test, to be taken on the 7th day. The test is free and to be taken at one of  laboratories indicated by the Azores Autonomous Government.

EXEMPTION ON SHOWING A RT-PCR TEST

 

1. Recovery letter, certifying that the bearer has recovered from COVID-19 infection within 180 days before the date of travel. The letter should include complete information of the patient - name, date of birth, type and date of the test and the explicit mention “recovered”. The declaration should be signed by the doctor and should include the professional details of the doctor.
2. Children under 12 years
3. EU Covid Digital Certificate

If travelling from mainland Portugal or from Madeira, the test will be free and have to be taken in one of the laboratories agreed by the Azores Autonomous Government. The list can be found here https://www.visitazores.com/sites/default/files/laboratorios/listagem-laboratorios.pdf.

INTER-ISLAND TRIPS DEPARTING FROM S. MIGUEL TO ONE OF THE OTHER ISLANDS

Passengers that arrive in the Azores with a negative test, can travel to other islands with low risk of infection without the obligation of carrying out a test. The proof of a negative test carried out in the origin country or upon arrival is valid to travel to other islands. 

For more information about travelling to the Azores please visit VisitAzores.com

 

WHAT TO EXPECT WHILST IN PORTUGAL

DON´T FORGET YOUR MASK - FACIAL MASKS ARE COMPULSORY
The use of facial mask is compulsory for everyone above 10 years, when in closed spaces or when social distancing is not possible.

RESTAURANTS AND CAFÉS

During the weekend (Friday from 7pm, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays) clients need to show proof of full vaccination or a negative covid test to eat inside the restaurant. Measure not applicable for terraces.
Limit of people per table - 15 outside and 8 inside 

Restaurants, cafés and pastry shops are open until 2am.

The use of facial cover is compulsory, except when eating or drinking.
Consumption of alcohol beverages are only allowed inside the restaurants or licenced terraces.
It is forbidden to drink in the street or public places.

TRANSPORTS
The use of face mask is compulsory. 
Buses and taxis can run on full capacity
Rent-a-car - full capacity

ACCOMMODATION

• Accommodation establishments will now have to ask for proof of vaccination or a negative covid test for all guests from 12 years old. The antigen lateral flow from the pharmacy is accepted.

Tourist accommodation has been adopting the “Clean & Safe” seal implemented by Turismo de Portugal, which allows the identification of establishments and services that have implemented enhanced hygiene and safety measures. The Portuguese government has worked closely with tourism officials to ensure that safety and health training has been in place across the industry and Portugal is ready to receive visitors safely.
A general occupancy limitation has not been determined, but each accommodation unit must define a Contingency Plan to be applied in the COVID-19 context, with circulation rules in common areas, as well as hygiene and cleaning procedures.
Clean and Safe platform: https://portugalcleanandsafe.com/en - check hotels, restaurants, rent a car, thermal spas, casinos, etc.

GOLF
The golf courses are in operation. The specific measures established by the Portuguese Golf Federation are available at www.fpg.pt.

CAMPINGS
The campsites, as well as the service areas for motorhomes, will have a maximum capacity limited to 2/3 of the area.

BEACHES
The access to the beaches is free, but note that most beaches in Portugal are not guarded until the end of May.
From June, there will be a traffic light system in place to indicate the capacity of the beach. 

• Green – low occupancy (1/3)
• Yellow – high occupancy (2/3)
• Red – full occupancy (3/3)

OTHER INFORMATION

• Large outdoor and indoor events allowed with reduced occupancy.
• Weddings and baptisms are allowed with reduced capacity - 75% of capacity
• Cinemas, theatres, auditoriums, and concert halls are now open with 75% capacity and allowed to operate until 10.30 pm.
• Museums are open although operating under limited capacity and opening times.
• Shops and shopping centres are permitted to be open during normal opening time

It is mandatory to present EU COVID Digital Certificate or a negative test* in:

• Tourist accommodation, upon check-in (where in the case of tourists from the United Kingdom it is also acceptable to present a proof of complete vaccination recognized for the purpose of entering our country https://covid19estamoson.gov.pt);
• Meal service inside the restaurants, on Fridays from 7 pm, at weekends and on public holidays;
• Thermal baths and spas;
• Casinos and bingos;
• Group classes in gyms;
• Cultural and sporting events with over 1000 people, outdoors, or over 500 people, indoors;
• Weddings and baptisms with over 10 people

Find more information about restrictions in Portugal here or Gov.uk/portugal