It's almost the school summer holidays and many of us are counting down the days until we can relax on a sun lounger next to the pool with a pint or a cocktail. One of the most popular destinations for British family holidays is Portugal, with the Algarve region particularly popular with beach-lovers and families with children.
Travelling to Portugal is simple: flights from the UK only usually take two to three hours and there aren't many restrictions limiting who can enter the country either. According to the UK Foreign Office, a "passenger locator form" is no longer required for UK residents travelling into mainland Portugal and the Azores, though it's recommended that people travelling to Madeira or Porto Santo have one each.
Portugal does expect travellers to be fully-vaccinated, however. If you're fully vaccinated, you can enter mainland Portugal and the Azores without needing to take a Covid test - providing you meet certain criteria - but you will be asked to provide your vaccination certificate.
If you're not fully vaccinated, you need to show proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before boarding, a rapid lateral flow test taken no more than 24 hours before boarding or valid evidence of recent recovery from Covid-19. Tests must be carried out by a trained medical professional, self-administered tests are not accepted by the Portuguese authorities.
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Here is the latest advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on travelling to Portugal. All information was correct at the time of publication, but it's always worth checking the latest updates before you travel.
Covid entry requirements for Portugal
The UK Foreign Office explains that travellers must be "fully vaccinated" to enter mainland Portugal and/or the Azores without a Covid-19 test - or they have to show proof of a negative Covid test. However, children aged 11 and under do not need to take a test or show proof of vaccination or recovery to enter mainland Portugal and the Azores.
A statement on the Foreign Office website states: "If you're fully vaccinated, you can enter mainland Portugal and the Azores without needing to test. To qualify under the fully vaccinated rules, you must have a vaccination certificate which shows you have had either a full course of a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency, at least 14 days and no more than 270 days before you arrive, or a full course of a vaccine plus a booster vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency at least 14 days before you arrive.
"You will be considered fully vaccinated if you have had: both doses of a 2-dose vaccine, or a combination of two different vaccines, or an approved one-dose vaccine, or a full course of a vaccine, plus a booster vaccine, or if you caught Covid-19 after just one dose of a two-dose vaccine and your certificate shows that your vaccination course is complete after the administration of just one dose of the vaccine."
The Foreign Office continues: "You must present proof that you have been fully vaccinated when you check-in for your flight to mainland Portugal and the Azores. You can use your UK Covid Pass (paper or digital format) to demonstrate your vaccination record. The NHS vaccination card is not accepted for travel.
"If you're fully vaccinated and your airline allows you to travel to mainland Portugal or the Azores without proof of your vaccination status, you will have to take a Covid-19 test at your own expense at the airport or port on arrival. You will also be fined unless you can prove you are legally resident in Portugal.
"If you're not fully vaccinated, you’ll need to show proof of a negative PCR test (taken no more than 72 hours before boarding), a rapid lateral flow test (taken no more than 24 hours before boarding) or valid evidence of recent recovery from Covid-19 on departure to mainland Portugal and the Azores. Make sure your test is carried out by a trained healthcare professional. Self-administered tests are not acceptable."
Passport validity requirements for Portugal
In order to visit Portugal from the UK, you must have an in-date passport that meets two key requirements. Your passport must be: issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (you can work this out by checking the "date of issue") and valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave (you can work this out by checking the "expiry date").
The Foreign Office adds: "You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before October 1, 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date."
Do I need a visa?
The UK Foreign Office explains that people can travel from the UK to countries in the "Schengen area" (which includes Portugal, Spain, France and Italy and several other European countries) for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist or to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training.
If you want to stay for longer than 90 days, for your holiday or for work or studying, you should speak to the Portuguese Immigration Service and Portuguese Embassy to find out what type of visa and/or work permit you may need.
The UK Foreign Office explains that people may also be required to show a "return or onward ticket" and that they have "enough money for [their] stay" in order to be granted entry into Portugal.
