Is Portugal Open for Tourists? – Latest Travel Restrictions

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Portugal began reopening its borders to select countries in June 2020. Today, Portugal is considered one of the countries open for tourism, and travelers from many countries can visit Portugal for essential and non-essential reasons.

All travelers to mainland Portugal must present proof of a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours prior to boarding, a negative rapid antigen test result from within 48 hours prior to boarding, or an EU Digital Covid Certificate. They must also complete a Passenger Locator Card, either online or during their flight. Travelers from certain countries must quarantine for 14 days from their arrival.

All travelers to Madeira must register online. They must also either present a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours of departure, present an immunity declaration certifying that they have recovered from COVID-19, present a vaccination certificate for COVID-19, present an EU Digital Covid Certificate, get tested for COVID-19 on arrival, and self-isolate until they receive their results, or self-isolate for 14 days from their arrival.

Travelers to the Azores must present a medical certificate for a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours of departure, present an immunity declaration certifying that they have recovered from COVID-19, present an EU Digital Covid Certificate, or get tested for COVID-19 on arrival and self-isolate until they receive their results. They must also complete a Questionnaire for Risk Assessment and Early Detection within 72 hours prior to departure

Can I travel to Portugal right now?

You can travel to Portugal from some countries right now. Below is a map of all the countries that can visit Portugal at the moment.

Portugal - EN

Portugal COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements

Portugal’s entry requirements differ depending on whether you are traveling to the mainland or one of the islands.

Portugal COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements

If you’re traveling to the mainland, you must complete a Passenger Locator Form. You can either complete it online or during your flight. You must also have proof of a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours prior to boarding, a negative rapid antigen test result from within 48 hours prior to boarding, or an EU Digital Covid Certificate. 

Travelers from the UK must present proof of a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours prior to boarding or a lateral flow test that was taken within 48 hours prior to departure. If travelers do not present an EU Digital Covid Certificate or proof of vaccination, they will have to self-isolate for 14 days from their arrival in Portugal and register with SEF.

Travelers from certain countries (Brazil, Nepal, India, and South Africa) are required to self-isolate for 14 days from their arrival in Portugal.

Anyone who is traveling to Madeira should either have a medical certificate for a negative RT-PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours of boarding, present an immunity declaration certifying that they have recovered from COVID-19, present a vaccination certificate for COVID-19, present an EU Digital Covid Certificate, get tested for COVID-19 on arrival and self-isolate until they receive their results, or self-isolate for 14 days from their arrival.

You must also submit an epidemiological survey 12 to 48 hours before boarding your flight. All travelers will be subject to temperature checks on arrival in Madeira.

If you’re traveling to the Azores, you must complete a Questionnaire for Risk Assessment and Early Detection within 72 hours of departure. You should also present a medical certificate for a negative RT-PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours of departure, present an immunity declaration certifying that you have recovered from COVID-19, present an EU Digital Covid Certificate, or get tested for COVID-19 on arrival and self-isolate until you receive your results.

If your trip to the Azores is longer than seven days, on the 6^th day of your trip, you must contact the municipality’s health services so you can get tested a second time, unless you have an EU Digital Covid Certificate.

COVID-19 Vaccine to travel to Portugal

Travelers to mainland Portugal who present proof of vaccination with the EU Digital Covid Certificate are exempt from presenting a pre-arrival COVID test result.

Travelers from the UK to mainland Portugal who present proof of vaccination with the EU Digital Covid Certificate are exempt from presenting a pre-arrival COVID test result and from quarantining on arrival in Portugal.

Travelers to Madeira who can provide proof that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 do not have to get tested for COVID-19 before their trip or on arrival, nor do they have to self-isolate.

Travelers to the Azores who present proof of vaccination with the EU Digital Covid Certificate are exempt from presenting a pre-arrival COVID test result and from getting tested a second time if their trip is longer than 7 days.

COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Portugal

Is PCR testing mandatory to travel to Portugal?

All travelers to mainland Portugal who do not have an EU Digital Covid Certificate must have proof of a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours of boarding or a negative rapid antigen test result from within 48 hours prior to boarding.

Travelers from the UK must have proof of a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours prior to boarding or a lateral flow test that was taken within 48 hours prior to departure to enter Portugal.

Children under the age of 12 are exempt from this testing requirement.

Travelers to Madeira should have a medical certificate for a negative RT-PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours of departure, present an immunity declaration certifying that they have recovered from COVID-19, present a vaccination certificate for COVID-19, present an EU Digital Covid Certificate, get tested for COVID-19 on arrival and self-isolate until they receive their results, or self-isolate for 14 days from their arrival.

Travelers to the Azores must present a medical certificate for a negative RT-PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours of departure, present an immunity declaration certifying that they have recovered from COVID-19, present an EU Digital Covid Certificate, or get tested for COVID-19 on arrival and self-isolate until they receive their results.

Children aged 12 and under are exempt from the testing requirement for Madeira and the Azores. Travelers who are staying in the Azores for more than 7 days must contact the municipality’s health services on the 6^th day after their arrival so that they can get tested a second time unless they have an EU Digital Covid Certificate.

Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Portugal?

There is no mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Portugal as long as you are not traveling from Brazil, India, Nepal, or South Africa.

Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Portugal?

If you’re traveling from Brazil, India, Nepal, or South Africa, you must quarantine for 14 days from your arrival.

If you’re traveling from the UK and are unvaccinated, you must quarantine for 14 days from your arrival in Portugal. Children under the age of 18 are exempt from this quarantine requirement as long as they are traveling with fully vaccinated companions.

Travelers to Madeira and the Azores who get tested on arrival must self-isolate until they receive a negative result from their arrival test. Travelers to Madeira who do not provide proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19, or do not get tested on arrival or prior to arrival must self-isolate for 14 days from their arrival.

Travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Portugal

Travelers are not required to have travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Portugal, but it is always safest to have some kind of travel health insurance coverage when traveling.

Heymondo is a great option for travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage. Their policies offer extensive coverage, particularly for COVID-19 testing and treatment abroad, at an affordable price, so you don’t have to break the bank to make sure you’re covered. You can even save 5% on Heymondo insurance with the discount link below.

Other travel restrictions for Portugal during COVID-19

Portugal has implemented a few other travel restrictions:

• All travelers to mainland Portugal must complete a Passenger Locator Form, either online or during their flight.

• All travelers to Madeira must complete an epidemiological survey 12 to 48 hours before boarding their flight. They will then receive an email with a QR code, which they should present on arrival in Madeira.

• All travelers to the Azores must complete a Questionnaire for Risk Assessment and Early Detection within 72 hours of departure.

• Travelers from the UK who must self-isolate for 14 days from their arrival must register with SEF before entering Portugal.

• All travelers will undergo temperature checks upon arrival in Portugal.

• Face masks are required in all indoor and outdoor public spaces.

• Social distancing rules must be observed.

• You may need a tourist visa to visit Portugal. Check if you need one below.

What’s open in Portugal

Many places in Portugal are open, including beaches, parks, museums, and restaurants, so there should be plenty for you to do if you visit.

Hotels that are open in Portugal

Hotels and accommodations in Portugal are open right now. Turismo de Portugal has created a Clean and Safe stamp for accommodations that comply with the National Tourist Authority’s COVID-19 health and safety recommendations. Some of the best open hotels in Portugal are:

• Memmo Príncipe Real (Lisboa)
• Corpo Santo Lisbon Historical Hotel (Lisboa)
• InterContinental (Porto)
• Torel Avantgarde (Porto)
• EPIC SANA Algarve Hotel (Albufeira/Algarve)
• Pine Cliffs Village & Golf Suites (Albufeira/Algarve)

At Clean and Safe accommodations, employees have received training for issues like disinfection, breathing etiquette, and symptom self-assessment. All high-contact surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected several times a day. The accommodation will have masks available for guests, as well as hand sanitizer at all entrances and exits.

Guests must present an EU Digital Covid Certificate or negative COVID test result (RT-PCR test from within 72 hours, antigen test from within 48 hours, rapid antigen self-test from within 24 hours that was carried out in front of a health professional, or rapid antigen self-test taken on the spot at the accommodation premises) in order to check in to their accommodation.

More information on the Clean and Safe stamp is available here and here. More details on accommodations’ testing and vaccination requirements can be found here.

Beaches that are open in Portugal

Beaches in Portugal are currently open, so if you visit right now, you can soak up some sun.

Beaches that are open in Portugal

Beachgoers must wear masks when entering, moving around, and exiting beaches. Beachgoers do not need to wear masks when on their towels. Towels must be placed at least 1.5 meters apart.

More details on beach regulations can be found here.

Attractions that are open in Portugal

Attractions, such as museums and monuments, are currently open in most parts of Portugal.

Museums, monuments, art galleries, and palaces are open throughout Portugal. Theaters, cinemas, and concert halls are also open and tours are operating. Some of the ones we recommend are:

• Tour to Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Cascais
• Wine tasting in the Douro Valley and river cruise
• Boat Cruise to the Benagil Caves
• Whale and dolphin watching

More information on attractions’ regulations can be found here (in Portuguese), here, and here.

Restaurants that are open in Portugal

Restaurants in Portugal can currently stay open until 2 AM.

Groups of up to 6 people can dine indoors and groups of up to 10 people are allowed to dine outdoors.

For indoor dining after 7 PM on Fridays, weekends, and public holidays, diners must present an EU Digital Covid Certificate or negative COVID test result (RT-PCR test from within 72 hours, antigen test from within 48 hours, rapid antigen self-test from within 24 hours that was carried out in front of a health professional, or rapid antigen self-test taken on the spot at the food establishment’s premises).

Restaurants that are open in Portugal

More information on restaurant regulations can be found here, here, and here (in Portuguese).

Airports that are open in Portugal

Portugal’s busiest airports are open and international flights are operating. These airports are Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira, and Ponta Delgada.

Travelers must wear face masks and social distance. They will be subject to temperature checks on arrival in Portugal.

COVID-19 testing in Portugal

Your country may require you to take a PCR test in order to fly back home. If you need to get a PCR test in Portugal, you can find more information on getting tested here.

Portugal reopening its borders to tourists – F.A.Q.

Check out these FAQs related to Portugal reopening for tourists and let us know if you have any other questions in the comments below.

Sources

We will update this guide on Portugal reopening to tourism with any new developments. If you need more information on travel to Portugal, you can check these official sources:

• US Embassy Updates on COVID-19 in Portugal
• CDC Travel Recommendations for Portugal
• General Portugal Travel Advisory
• COVID-19 Measures in Portugal in English
• Madeira Entry Requirements in English
• Azores Entry Requirements in Portuguese
• Passenger Locator Form
• Madeira travel registration
• Azores Questionnaire for Risk Assessment and Early Detection
• Current Regulations in Portugal in Portuguese
• About Clean and Safe in English
• Clean and Safe Accommodation Requirements in English