What do the three colours of the UK’s ‘Traffic Light System’ for travel mean?

Red: You must pay for a 10-day stay in a managed quarantine hotel, as well as a pre-departure test and two PCR tests upon return to the UK (Day 2 & Day 8). Amber: You will need to quarantine for 10 days, as well as taking a pre-departure test, and two PCR tests on return to the UK (Day 2 & Day 8). Optionally you can take a test on Day 5 (Test to Release) to leave quarantine early. Green: You will not need to quarantine on return, but you must take a pre-departure test, and a PCR test on return to the UK on Day 2.

How will the government decide which countries go on the green, amber or red lists?

Countries are assigned to the three lists, based on a range of Covid-19 health metrics, which include figures on population vaccination, infection rates and prevalence of variants. The different traffic light colours indicate the risk in each destination and the associated tests and quarantine periods required. Lists are reassessed every three weeks, to account for changes in each country’s COVID-19 situation.

Portugal

Travel Restrictions

Updated:

5/8/2021

Reviewed: Current

Can You Travel To Portugal?

Foreign Nationals, Permanent Residence Holders, Tourists, Business Travellers, Partners to Foreign Nationals

Test Requirements

PCR, lab-Antigen

Test window

48 hours

Quarantine required and quarantine length

No quarantine required

Do children need to be tested?

Testing is required, except for children up to, and including, the age of 12 years old.

Portugal COVID-19 Entry Requirements

All arrivals to mainland Portugal will be required to present a negative PCR test from the 48 hours prior to arrival, or antigen test no older than 48 hours, and undergo a health screening. Either test must be performed in a lab. Arrivals with the EU vaccine certificate or recognized proof of vaccination are exempt.

Can You Travel To Portugal?

Portugal is closed for non-essential travel from most countries, and internal restrictions are changing with changes in infection rates.

Portugal is open for air travel from the EU, Schengen, and the following countries: Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, Colombia, South Korea, UAE, Indonesia, Kuwait, New Zealand, Peru, Qatar, Republic Popular in China, Rwanda, Uruguay, Brazil, USA, UK, Hong Kong and Macau and Taiwan.
Vaccinated citizens from countries with vaccination certificates accepted by the EU, may enter as well.
Arrivals from other third countries may only enter for essential reasons.
All arrivals must complete a passenger locator form in advance.
The border with Spain is open again.

Arrivals are not required to quarantine upon arrival in Portugal.

Arrivals from high-risk countries must quarantine for 14 days. This can be shortened after taking a negative PCR.

All arrivals to mainland Portugal will be required to present a negative PCR test from the 48 hours prior to arrival, or antigen test no older than 48 hours, and undergo a health screening.

Either test must be performed in a lab.

Arrivals with the EU vaccine certificate or recognized proof of vaccination are exempt.

Public transportation in Portugal is operating.

Restaurants, cafes and bars in Portugal are open.

Nightlife facilities are closed.

Some places require a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination.

Non-essential businesses and attractions in Portugal are open, with health measures in place.

Nightlife facilities are closed.

Some places require a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination.

Wearing face masks is required in enclosed public places, and when social distancing can't be maintained.

Returning to the UK from Portugal?

Travellers who have not been vaccinated in the UK, EU, USA, or by another approved vaccination programme at least 14 days ago, will be required to take a pre-departure test before arriving in the UK (a Return PCR or Antigen Fit to Fly test), and a PCR test on return to the UK (Day 2). Quarantine is not required unless you receive a positive PCR test result.

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Please note that fully vaccinated arrivals are no longer required to take a pre-departure test or a Day 2 PCR test on return to the UK.

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What vaccination programmes are recognised in the UK?

The UK continues to recognise vaccination programmes from the UK, EU, and USA. As of October 4, the UK recognises vaccination certificates with a full course of the Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna or Janssen vaccines from a relevant public health body in Australia, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bahrain, Brunei, Canada, Dominica, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zealand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan or the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Formulations of the 4 listed vaccines, such as AstraZeneca Covishield, AstraZeneca Vaxzevria and Moderna Takeda, qualify as approved vaccines.

You must have had a complete course of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before you arrive in England.

Where 2 doses of a vaccine are required for a full course, you will be able to mix 2 different types of vaccine, for example Oxford/AstraZeneca and Moderna. You are also allowed to have the 2 vaccinations under 2 different approved programmes, for example Australia and Japan, UK and USA, EU and Canada.

Will I need a PCR Fit to Fly Certificate to travel to

Portugal

The PCR test is the gold standard for testing coronavirus and so is recommended for travel to all countries. For Portugal, PCR Fit to Fly Certificates are accepted, alternatively you can travel with an Antigen Fit to Fly Certificate.

Will I need an Antigen Fit to Fly Certificate to travel to

Portugal

While the PCR test is the gold standard for testing coronavirus and so is recommended for travel to all countries. For Portugal, PCR Fit to Fly Certificates and Antigen Fit to Fly Certificate can both be used to enter.

Will I need a Day 2 test or Day 2 and 8 when I return to the UK?

Portugal is currently open for travel, this means that you will need a Day 2 PCR test. You will need to buy this before you travel to the UK and use the reference code on your passenger location form. You do not need to quarantine on arrival unless you test positive. Please note that the travel restrictions are subject to change at very short notice. If you have not been fully vaccinated in the UK, EU, USA, or other accepted vaccination program at least 14 days ago, you will also need to book a Day 8 test before you return to the UK.

I’m vaccinated, what tests do I need?

Portugal is currently open for travel, this means that you will need a Day 2 PCR test, even though you are double vaccinated. You will need to buy this before you travel to the UK and use the reference code on your passenger location form. You do not need to quarantine on arrival unless you test positive. Please note that the travel restrictions are subject to change at very short notice.

Can I enter

destination

with a double vaccination certificate?

Portugal does not accept vaccination as an entry requirement and so you will need to provide a PCR or Antigen Fit to Fly Certificate

What happens if I have visited another country before flying back to the UK from

Portugal

The government advice for passengers travelling from Portugal is that if you have visited another country in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK that is a higher risk than Portugal, you must follow the travel guidance for the highest risk country you visited.

What else will I need to return to the UK?

If you have not been fully vaccinated in the UK, EU, USA, or other accepted vaccination program at least 14 days ago, for all countries, including Portugal, you will need to take an Antigen Fit to Fly test before departing for the UK. This can be bought at Corona Test Centre’s to take with you on your travels.

Where can I find the latest news related to travel and COVID-19 to

Portugal

- https://imigrante.sef.pt/en/covid-19/faqs/#1596230931926-35f82bfa-7209 - https://portugalcleanandsafe.pt/en/passenger-locator-card - https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal/entry-requirements - https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/covid-19-measures-implemented-portugal

Portugal

Travel Restrictions

Portugal COVID-19 Entry Requirements

Can You Travel To Portugal?

Returning to the UK from Portugal?

Get tests for your trip to Portugal

FAQs

What vaccination programmes are recognised in the UK?

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