Portugal has become the latest country to drop all Covid travel restrictions, so British tourists no longer need to show proof of vaccination or take a test. The country previously required all travellers to show either proof of vaccination or a negative PCR/antigen test, but this has changed with the new rules coming into effect immediately.
The Visit Portugal website said the rules applied to all “national territory”, including the Azores and Madeira, but that the measures could be reviewed “in accordance to the evolution of the pandemic”. Face coverings remain mandatory on public transport, in taxis and when visiting care homes, nursing homes and health facilities. Social distancing and frequent hand washing are still advised.
Many European countries, including Austria, Greece and Croatia, have now dropped restrictions for UK travellers, regardless of their vaccination status. However, some Covid entry rules are still in force for visitors to France, Malta, the Netherlands, and Spain. Arrivals from the UK must show a valid vaccination, recovery, or PCR test certificate when entering France, Malta and Spain, and in the Netherlands only tourists who hold a vaccination or recovery certificate are permitted to enter the country.
The news comes as British Airways announced that it is planning to cancel more than 1,000 additional flights this summer from Heathrow and Gatwick because of staff shortages. More than 100,000 travellers planning to visit popular holiday destinations including Málaga, Palma and Faro will be affected.
