Portugal has announced a relaxation of its entry conditions from this Monday, February 7, 2022. Vaccinated travelers no longer need to carry out a Covid test before entering the country.
[Mis à jour le 7 février 2022 à 09h57] As one of France’s favorite European destinations, the Portugal makes its entry conditions more flexible for European travellers. Since Monday, February 7, visitors in “possession of an EU digital Covid certificate” are now exempt from presenting a negative test upon their arrival in the territory.
Since mid-January, the only presentation of the EU digital Covid certificate or proof of vaccination (full scheme), or a negative Covid test (including self-test) is required to access restaurants , tourist establishments and short-term tourist accommodation, cultural shows and gymnasiums. Nightclubs and bars will reopen on the same dates. However, the consumption of alcohol “on public roads and in outdoor places open to the public is prohibited, with the exception of restaurant terraces” as France Diplomatie indicates.
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 PCR test result less than 48 hours. Children under 12 are exempt from presenting this certificate. By land or sea, border controls between Portugal and Spain are lifted. France, for its part, has announced that a PCR or antigen test of less than 24 hours is now compulsory for unvaccinated travelers returning from Portugal.
Travelers arriving in Portugal (mainland only, i.e. Lisbon, Porto and Faro airports) are required to have their temperature taken (via a thermal camera system) upon arrival at Portuguese airports (including those of the Islands of Madeira and the Azores), to inform a form required by the Portuguese health authorities. This form is communicated to the traveler by the airline during the online check-in procedure, failing which, by the cabin crew during the flight.
To go on vacation to Portugal this winter, you will need to present proof of full vaccination or a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old or an antigen test less than 48 hours old. Self-tests are not accepted. In force since July 1, the health passport facilitates checks at the airport. The QR code of sanitary pass allows its holder to scan it or present it in paper format to access the boarding of an aircraft.
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 subject to the mandatory quarantine, which lasts for 14 days.
All local curfews have been lifted in Portugal. Supermarkets are open at normal times, as are high schools, universities, cinemas and theatres, and restaurants and bars.
Any traveler wishing to go to Madeira must complete an online form (epidemiological investigation). Travelers must present a PCR test performed within 72 hours with a negative result or alternatively 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. Failing this, the traveler will be obligatorily subjected, on his arrival, to a PCR test, supported by the local authorities. Pending test results, travelers are placed in isolation. If the test results are positive, the traveler is immediately placed in strict confinement. Tests 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 suspicious cases (child, accompanying persons). Since July 1, a rapid negative test for the Covid-19 antigen carried out up to 48 hours before the trip, replacing the PCR test, is accepted for trips 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 flight 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 advised to call beforehand. If the stay is equivalent to 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 result is obtained. Travelers 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 suspicious cases (child, accompanying persons).
Supermarkets have reopened, as have high schools, universities, cinemas and theaters, and restaurants and bars. It is now possible to sit four people around an indoor table 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 plan for occupying the beaches to allow locals and tourists alike to find their way around: a distance of 3 meters will have to be respected between each family or group, and a gauge will have to be respected. In order not to travel for nothing, an “Info Praia” application allows you to have an overview of the occupation of the beaches 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 around, red, the beach is full.