Portugal
Travel restrictions
From March 26th to April 5th 2021, all non-essential travel (tourism) to Portugal, including by other EU member residents, is prohibited.
Third country national holders of residency permits or long-term resident visas issued by EU member states may transit Portugal to return to their country of residence.
All travelers must present proof of testing to COVID 19 with a negative result issued in the last 72 hours. This test result must be presented to your airline in order to board your flight.
Effective June 13th 2020, all new arrivals to the Azores must either provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken 72 hours prior to arrival or take a test and await the results in isolation. Arriving passengers may await the test results in a private residence or contracted lodging of their choice. The results are expected to take no more than 12 hours. Travelers who wish to remain in the Azores for more than 7 or 14 days, will be required to test again on the 6th and 13th day of their stay. Find more information at the following link: https://covid19.azores.gov.pt/?page_id=5532
Effective July 1st 2020, all new arrivals to Madeira will no longer be subject to a mandatory quarantine. Travelers who arrive with proof of a negative Covid-19 test, taken within 72 hours, will not be required to quarantine. In the case of a traveler who arrives without proof of a negative test, he or she will be required to take a test upon arrival.
Measures taken by the government
Portuguese airports such as Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Ponta Delgada, Funchal and Lajes implemented a body temperature measurement system on arrival.
On July 1st 2020, the Government of Portugal transitioned to a general State of Alert. However, certain areas, including the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, remain under additional restrictions.
The Government of Portugal decreed a MANDATORY use of protective masks in crowded, closed spaces such as public transportation, schools, supermarkets, and stores.
On September 15th 2020, as a precautionary measure, the Government of Portugal announced that the countrywide status elevated to a State of Contingency.
On October 15th 2020, the Government of Portugal instituted a country-wide State of Calamity.
On November 6th 2020, the Government of Portugal announced a country-wide State of Emergency.
The Government of Portugal is in a country-wide State of Emergency and has issued a nationwide lockdown order. The State of Emergency was decreed until April 15th 2021. Under the State of Emergency, Portugal is divided into four levels of risks with specific measures corresponding to those levels:
Moderate Risk (national measures only)
High Risk
Very High Risk
Extremely High Risk
For more information on the specific levels of risk and restrictions for each municipality visit:
https://covid19estamoson.gov.pt/new-state-of-emergency-measures/
Effective March 15th, 2021, the Government of Portugal will implement the following Deconfinement Measures for the entire country:
- Stay Home, except for authorized travel.
- Travel Between Municipalities is prohibited March 20-21 and March 26 – April 5
- Non-food retail and services must close at 9.00 pm on weekdays, and at 1.00 pm on weekends and holidays. Vendors may only sell non-food products through street-facing shop doors or open-air fairs and markets, if authorized by municipal authorities.
- Grocery Stores and Supermarkets must close at 9.00 pm during weekdays, and may remain open on weekends until 7.00 pm.
- Restaurants, Bars and Cafes: Limited to take-away and home delivery only. Restaurants in shopping centers are closed. Take away of drinks permitted.
- Alcoholic Beverages can only be sold until 8.00 pm in all establishments, including supermarkets.
- Hairdressers, Manicurists, and Barbers open by appointment only.
- Bookstores, Libraries, Gardens and Open-air Leisure Spaces open to the public.
Starting April 5th 2021:
- Museums, Monuments, Palaces, and Galleries open to the public.
- Stores up to 200m2 (with street entrances) open to the public.
- Outside Open Areas of Cafés and Restaurants: limited to groups of four people.
- Sports: Outdoor exercise limited to groups of four people. Gymnasiums open without group classes.
Starting April 19th 2021:
- Cinemas, Theaters, Auditoriums, and Cultural Centers open to the public.
- Public Services: Lojas do Cidadão open for in-person services by appointment only.
- Stores and shopping centers open to the public.
- Restaurants and Cafes open until 10:00 pm during weekdays and, 1:00 pm on weekends and holidays. Limited to groups of 4 inside and 6 outside.
- Sports: Outside exercise limited to groups of six people.
- Outdoor Events resume at reduced capacity determined by health authorities.
- Weddings and Baptisms allowed at 25% capacity.
Starting May 3rd 2021:
- Cafés and Restaurants limited to groups of 6 inside and 10 outside.
- Sports: All sports activities permitted including outdoor exercise and gymnasiums.
- Events: Large outdoors and indoor events resume at reduced capacity.
- Weddings and baptisms allowed at 50% capacity.
General rules currently in place nationwide:
- A general Stay at Home order is still in effect.
- Telework whenever possible.
- Limit Contact to only your household.
- Travel only for essential needs.
- Social Distance measures enforced, to include mandatory use of protective masks in closed public spaces.
- Masks are Mandatory outside when social distancing is not possible.
- Protective masks are mandatory inside workplaces.
- Avoid small, crowded, or unventilated indoor spaces without a protective mask.
You can consult the Travel FAQ issued by the Portugal Official Tourism at the following link:
https://www.visitportugal.com/en/node/421189
Testing
PCR and/or antigen tests are available for travellers in Portugal and test results are reliably available within 72 hours.
Emergency number (related to COVID-19) while visiting the country
Mainland Portugal – (+ 351) 808 24 24 24 (Press 9 for English)
Azores – (+351) 808 24 60 24
Madeira – (+351) 800 24 24 20
Source:
US Embassy in Portugal https://pt.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
Published on March 30th 2021 (checked on April 7th 2021)
Portugal Official Tourism Website https://www.visitportugal.com/en/node/421175
Published on March 29th 2020 (checked on April 7th 2021)
For more information please visit our COVID-19 Updates page at https://www.hiddentrails.com/article/covid19update.aspx