Portugal travel restrictions: Covid rules for UK visitors explained - and do I have to quarantine?

Rules are in place for travellers both heading to Portugal and returning to the UK
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Travellers from the UK who arrive in Portugal but are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will have to quarantine for 14 days from Monday (28 June).

Portugal also currently remains on the UK’s amber travel list, with rules in place for returning travellers.

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But what are the rules surrounding travel to Portugal and what quarantine requirements are in place?

Travellers from the UK who arrive in Portugal but are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will have to quarantine for 14 days (Photo: Shutterstock)Travellers from the UK who arrive in Portugal but are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will have to quarantine for 14 days (Photo: Shutterstock)
Travellers from the UK who arrive in Portugal but are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will have to quarantine for 14 days (Photo: Shutterstock)

Here’s what you need to know.

What are the travel rules for Portugal?

From Monday 28 June, if you have travelled from the UK to mainland Portugal, you must quarantine for 14 days in the place you are staying or at a place indicated by the Portuguese health authority.

However, do you not need to quarantine if you can show you have been vaccinated with an EU approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to travel. You must be able to show you have completed the vaccination programme.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) also explains that if your journey originated in India, Nepal, South Africa or Brazil, or you have travelled through any of these countries in the last 14 days, you must also quarantine, without exception, for 14 days in the place you are staying or at a place indicated by the Portuguese health authority.

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The rules on quarantining apply to passengers arriving by air, road, rail or sea.

If the quarantine rules do apply to you, then you will need to complete this form.

Do I have to quarantine on return from Portugal?

Portugal is currently on the UK’s amber list, which means travellers returning to the UK will have to self-isolate for 10 days.

Travellers will also need two PCR tests on days two and eight of their return, but can opt to pay for a third after five days of self-isolation under the 'Test to Release' scheme.

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This means travellers can cut their quarantine time short if this test comes back negative, but they are still required to take the day eight test.

However, the Portuguese island of Madeira will move to the green watchlist from 4am on Wednesday 30 June.

This means that holidaymakers are able to go to Madeira without having to self-isolate on return to the UK.

However, Madeira being on the green watchlist means there is a chance the destination could move from green to amber, which would then require travellers to self-isolate for 10 days on their return.

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Those heading from the UK to Madeira will have to show proof of a negative PCR test on arrival to the island.

However, if you have recovered from Covid in the last 90 days, or have had both doses of the vaccine at least 15 days prior to travel, you will be exempt from showing a PCR test on entry to Madeira.

If you live in England, the authorities in Madeira will accept your NHS COVID Pass as evidence of your Covid vaccination status.

If you live in Scotland or Wales, the authorities will accept your respective NHS certificate to demonstrate your Covid vaccination status.

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However, the FCDO said: “Your NHS appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.”

Travellers who have recovered from Covid will need to show a medical report as evidence of your status recovery in the last 90 days before travel.