Until recently, no matter where you wanted to go, you have to, at least, do quarantine. However, a lot has happened since the first COVID-19 outbreak, and we developed tools that help us be safer. Thanks to this, coronavirus rules changed in Portugal, and — even without being vaccinated — you can enter freely.
UK visitors over 12 years old will only need to show proof of a negative PCR or do a rapid antigen coronavirus test. We hope that we slowly return to a new normality with this, travelling or going out. This new rule will be in effect until at least 16 September, so do it now if you plan to travel.
How this affects other countries?
Previously to these changes, travellers had to show they had been fully vaccinated with an EU-approved. COVID-19 vaccines that are approved are Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna, being the ones that have proven the effectiveness. Upon entry to mainland Portugal, most tourists also had to quarantine for 14 days.
You must take a coronavirus PCR test at least 72 hours before departure if you want to travel. If a PCR isn’t possible, you should do a lateral flow test up to 48 hours before. You also need to complete a passenger locator card before your travel. If you don’t take any of those measures, you could have a free test on arrival. However, suppose you want the free test. In that case, you agree to go into “prophylactic isolation — a 12 to 24-hour waiting period for the test results.
