Portugal has announced several measures to curb the upsurge in the Covid-19 epidemic, including a week of tightened restrictions after the end of the year holidays.
[Mis à jour le 26 novembre 2021 à 17h05] One of the favorite European destinations of the French, the Portugal has decided to tighten the screws in the face of the 5th wave of Covid-19 which is currently raging in Europe. A PCR test of less than 72 hours or an antigen test of less than 48 hours negative will therefore be required to travel to Portugal between December 1, 2021 and January 9, 2022, even for vaccinated travelers. “It is an obligation for all airlines, when checking in, to allow boarding only people who can prove that they are properly tested,” said the Portuguese Prime Minister. When the end-of-year celebrations return, from January 2 to 9, teleworking will become compulsory, schoolchildren’s holidays will be extended, while bars and nightclubs will close their doors.
Travelers with an EU Covid certificate can enter Portugal regardless of the reason for travel (mainland and islands) provided that the certificate in question indicates full vaccination, proven immunity or a negative result of a PCR test less than 48 hours. Children under 12 are exempt from presenting this certificate. By land or sea, border controls between Portugal and Spain have been lifted. France has announced that a PCR or antigen test of less than 24 hours is now mandatory for unvaccinated travelers returning from Portugal.
Travelers arriving in Portugal (continental territory only, i.e. Lisbon, Porto and Faro airports) are required to submit to a temperature measurement (via a thermal camera system) on arrival at Portuguese airports (including those of the Madeira Islands and the Azores), to inform a form required by Portuguese health authorities. This form is communicated to the traveler by the airline during the online check-in procedure, failing which, by the flight crew during the flight.
To go on holiday to Portugal this winter, you will need to show full proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test within 72 hours or an antigen test under 48 hours. Self-tests are not accepted. In force since July 1, the health passport facilitates checks at the airport. The QR code of the health pass allows its holder to scan it or present it in paper format to access the boarding of a plane.
Do you want to cancel your holiday in Portugal? Depending on the airline chosen for your flight, it is possible to obtain a refund. At Air France, travelers can modify or modify their plane ticket without proof for all flights until December 31, 2021 inclusive, and until the day of departure of your first flight. With low cost airlines, it is possible to change your flight but more difficult to obtain a refund.
Portugal has lifted the obligation to respect a quarantine for French travelers. Travelers from Cyprus, Croatia, the Netherlands, Sweden, Lithuania, South Africa, Brazil and India continue to be affected by the mandatory quarantine, which lasts for 14 days.
All local curfews have been lifted in Portugal. Supermarkets are open during normal hours, as are high schools, universities, cinemas and theaters, and restaurants and bars.
Any traveler wishing to go to Madeira must complete an online form (epidemiological survey). Travelers must present a PCR test performed within 72 hours with a negative result or a vaccination certificate (with proof of full Covid vaccination) or proof of recovery from Covid within the last 90 days. These documents must be communicated via the madeirasafe.com platform. Otherwise, the traveler will be subject to a PCR test on arrival, paid for by the local authorities. Pending the results of the test, the travelers are placed in isolation. If the test results are positive, the traveler is immediately placed in strict containment. Testing can be done on the mainland. A second test will be carried out between the 5th and 7th day of the stay. Any minor under the age of 12 is exempt from this obligation, except in suspected cases (children, accompanying persons). Since July 1, a rapid negative Covid-19 antigen test carried out up to 48 hours before travel, replacing the PCR test, has been accepted for travel to Madeira Island.
All travelers must complete a declaration upon arrival in the Azores and must be able to present a PCR test less than 72 hours prior to the flight’s departure for the Azores. This test can be carried out abroad or on the continent, with one of the approved laboratories. Some laboratories only receive by appointment, so it is strongly recommended to call beforehand. If the stay is equivalent or greater than 7 days, the traveler must, on the 6th and 12th day from the date of the first test, contact the competent health authority for the place of residence or accommodation, in order to carry out a second and a third test (the traveler remaining free to move between the tests if the result is negative). If the test is positive, prophylactic isolation should be performed until a negative test is obtained. Travelers traveling to the other islands from São Miguel and Terceira must complete a PCR test 72 hours before arrival. Any minor under the age of 12 is exempt from the test obligations except in suspected cases (child, accompanying persons).
Supermarkets have reopened, as have high schools, universities, cinemas and theaters, and restaurants and bars. Four people can now sit around a table indoors under strict sanitary conditions (maximum 6 people inside and 10 on the terrace).
In Portugal, wearing a mask is compulsory in all closed public spaces.
Portugal has put in place a beach occupancy plan to allow locals and tourists alike to find their way around: a distance of 3 meters between each family or group will have to be respected, and a gauge will have to be respected. In order not to travel for nothing, an “Info Praia” application provides an overview of beach occupancy in real time. The beaches will have an indicator: green, the beach is less than 33% occupied and is accessible, yellow, it is still possible to move, red, the beach is full.