Since June 2020, Portugal has reopened its doors for tourists coming from selected countries. The country opened its borders in different stages and rules vary from region to region. Health checks are provided at airports, and travelers are subject to entry restrictions depending on the country they came from.
Portuguese authorities have announced early this year that they plan to reopen their borders for vaccinated travelers. However, like most countries around the world, Portugal’s entry requirements are frequently changing due to the unpredictable Covid-19 situation.
If you plan on traveling to Portugal, here’s the latest update on Portugal travel restrictions as well as other measures imposed by its authorities for travelers from both EU and third-country citizens.
Who Can Enter Portugal?
Travelers who came from countries with less than 500 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the past two weeks are allowed to enter Portugal as tourists. Portugal has been allowing the entry of tourists coming from European Union Member States and the UK. However, entry restrictions have been tightened in June this year due to the widespread of virus variants of concern.
Aside from travelers of the EU member states, Portugal is also allowing the entry of travelers coming from Schengen Area countries, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Travelers coming from some third countries that have registered low rates of Covid-19 infection will also be allowed to enter as tourists.
Here’s a list of countries whose citizens and residents can enter Portugal as tourists:
- All EU Member States
- Schengen Area Countries
- Albania
- Armenia
- Australia
- Azerbaijan
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brunei
- Canada
- China
- South Korea
- United States of America
- Israel
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kosovo
- Lebanon
- Montenegro
- New Zealand
- Qatar
- Republic of Moldova
- Republic of North Macedonia
- Rwanda
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Taiwan
- Regions of Hong Kong and Macau (subject to confirmation of reciprocity)
Travel Entry Requirements for Tourists Visiting Portugal
All travelers entering Portugal will be asked to provide a negative PCR or rapid antigen test result. The test should be conducted within 72 hours before entry into the country. If the test is taken through a rapid antigen test, it should be performed within 24 hours. However, only rapid antigen tests approved by the European Union Health Committee will be accepted. Kids below two years old are not required to undergo testing. A valid EU Digital COVID Certificate can also be submitted.
Those who presented a negative test that’s not recognized by the Portuguese authorities will be asked to undergo a Covid-19 test upon their arrival and at their own expense.
All travelers entering by air will also be required to fill in a “Passenger Locator Card”, which was established by the country’s health authorities.
Due to the widespread of the Covid delta variant in the UK, British travelers who have not been fully vaccinated must undergo a 14-day quarantine when entering Portugal.
Countries Subject to Stringent Entry Restrictions
Travelers from countries that are not on the list above are still not allowed to enter Portugal as tourists. Those who came from countries considered “high-risk” can travel to Portugal for essential purposes only.
Countries that are considered high risk are those with an incidence rate higher than 500 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants and where the Covid-19 mutations have spread widely. As of July 2021, these include Brazil, India, Nepal, and South Africa. However, the list is updated every 15 days. Thus, figures could change from time to time.
All persons coming from high-risk countries must register at the Foreigners and Borders Service before entering Portugal.
Travelers arriving from India, Nepal, Brazil, and South Africa should submit a negative COVID-19 test result upon entry. In addition, everyone should stay isolated for 14 days at a place indicated by health authorities.
The quarantine requirement will not apply to the following:
- Those traveling for essential purposes and are staying in the country for less than 48 hours.
- Persons traveling to participate in international sports competitions.
- Those who need to attend meetings that are within the context of the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union’s Council.
Remember that Portugal’s travel restrictions are changing constantly. Check the latest travel restrictions of Portugal on our live map.
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