FAQ's Travel to Portugal - Advice
1. Which countries is air traffic authorized to and from Portugal?
Order No. 10712-F / 2020, of 30 October, authorizes air traffic to and from Portugal for all flights to and from EU countries, the Schengen Area and the United Kingdom. Flights originating in the following countries are also authorized: Australia, China, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, Thailand, Uruguay and special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.
Essential trips to and from countries that are not part of the European Union or that are not countries associated with the Schengen Area are also authorized, and flights intended to allow the return to Portugal of national citizens or foreign citizens holding a residence permit in Portugal; and intended to allow foreign citizens who are in Portugal to return to their countries, provided that they are promoted by the competent authorities of such countries, subject to prior request and agreement, with due regard for reciprocity.
Nationals of the above countries (Australia, Canada, China, South Korea, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay), like EU nationals, Schengen and United Kingdom associated countries, can travel to Portugal on essential and non-essential trips (namely tourism), only taking care to obtain a visa in cases where this is mandatory and applicable to your nationality.
2. What are essential trips?
Under the terms of the order stipulating air traffic restrictive measures, journeys of:
- nationals of the European Union, nationals of States associated with the Schengen Area and members of their families, third-country nationals legally resident in a Member State of the European Union;
- Third-country nationals traveling for professional, study, family reunion, health or humanitarian reasons.
3. I am Portuguese and live abroad, can I travel to Portugal?
Yes, national citizens are allowed to return to Portugal. However, taking into account the restrictions on air traffic from third countries, it is recommended to consult the authorized flights and / or confirm the flight with the airline.
4. I am Portuguese and I am in a country without flights to Portugal. Can I return by transit in another country?
Yes, there are no restrictions on the return of nationals to Portugal, whatever their origin. However, travellers should inquire about any conditions of entry into the country of transit with the airline or local authorities.
Upon arrival in continental territory, all passengers, regardless of nationality, will be subjected to temperature screening and those who reveal relevant fever, may have to undergo covid-19 test (RT-PCR).
5. I am a citizen of the European Union, can I travel or transit through Portugal?
Yes, entry or transit through Portugal is permitted, with no restrictions on entry for nationals of the European Union. Air traffic to and from countries that are part of the European Union is also authorized.
When traveling from third countries, it is recommended to consult the authorized flights and / or confirm the flight with the airline.
6. In cases where a test submission to Covid-19 is mandatory, what type of test should I perform?
In cases where travellers must present proof of having carried out a RT-PCR diagnostic test, with a negative result, carried out up to 72 hours before departure, the test is considered, carried out using a swab, which aims to detect the presence of the virus. Proof of serological tests will not be accepted.
For travellers to the autonomous regions, it is recommended to consult the measures in force adopted by the regional governments of the Azores and Madeira.
7. I am in an official Portuguese speaking country, can I travel to Portugal?
Air traffic originating in Portuguese speaking countries is only allowed for essential travel, that is, for:
- nationals of the European Union, nationals of States associated with the Schengen Area and members of their families, third-country nationals legally resident in a Member State of the European Union;
- Third-country nationals traveling for professional, study, family reunion, health or humanitarian reasons, and in accordance with the principle of reciprocity.
In addition, passengers on these flights must present proof of testing to COVID-19 (RT-PCR) at the time of departure, with a negative result, carried out in the last 72 hours before departure, under penalty of being refused entry. National territory. National citizens and foreign citizens with legal residence in national territory and their families, who are passengers on flights for essential trips or to support the return to Portugal, who, exceptionally, do not have proof of laboratory tests to detect infection by SARS-CoV-2, with a negative result, under the terms of the previous number, upon arrival in national territory, are forwarded, by the competent authorities, to carry out the said test at their own expense.
8. I am in the USA, can I travel to Portugal?
Air traffic originating in the United States of America is only allowed for essential travel, that is, for:
- nationals of the European Union, nationals of States associated with the Schengen Area and members of their families, third-country nationals legally resident in a Member State of the European Union;
- Third-country nationals traveling for professional, study, family reunion, health or humanitarian reasons, and in accordance with the principle of reciprocity.
Additionally, passengers from the USA must present, at the time of departure, proof of test to COVID-19 (RT-PCR), with a negative result, carried out in the last 72 hours before departure, under penalty of being refused entry in national territory. National citizens and foreign citizens with legal residence in national territory and their families, who are passengers on flights for essential trips or to support the return to Portugal, who, exceptionally, do not have proof of laboratory tests to detect infection by SARS-CoV-2, with a negative result, under the terms of the previous number, upon arrival in national territory, are forwarded, by the competent authorities, to carry out the said test at their own expense.
9. Upon arrival in Portugal, will I be subject to quarantine?
No. In Portugal, only mandatory confinement persists for patients with COVID-19, infected with SARS-Cov2 and others whose measure has been determined by the authorities or health professionals.
However, diagnostic tests for SARS -CoV -2 may be subject to those wishing to enter or leave the mainland Portugal or the Autonomous Regions by air or sea.
10. Where can I find updated information?
You can find updated information on the Estamos On website, in the orders published in Diário da República on the measures imposed within the scope of Covid-19, as well as on the Portal of Portuguese Communities and the Foreigners and Borders Service.
11. Will I be subject to temperature screening upon entry into national territory?
All passengers entering the national territory through Lisbon, Porto, Faro or Beja airports are subject to infrared temperature control. If justified, passengers will be subjected to a diagnostic test RT-PCR to COVID-19, as provided for in Order No. 6948- A / 2020, of July 6, and must remain confined in their homes until they receive the negative test result. Temperature control does not apply to passengers in transit.
12. Is it necessary to take the Covid-19 test to enter Portugal?
It is necessary to present, before boarding, proof of laboratory test (RT-PCR) for screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection, with a negative result, performed within 72 hours prior to the time of boarding, in the following cases:
- Flights to and from countries that are not part of the European Union or that are not countries associated with the Schengen Area, exclusively for essential trips
- Flights intended to allow the return to Portugal of nationals or foreign citizens holding a residence permit in Portugal;
National citizens and foreign citizens with legal residence in the national territory and their family members, who are passengers on flights under the terms of the aforementioned flights and, exceptionally, do not have proof of laboratory testing to detect infection by SARS-CoV- 2, with a negative result, under the terms of the previous number, upon arrival in national territory, are referred, by the competent authorities, to carry out the said test at their own expense.
13. Can I refuse to take the Covid-19 test?
Citizens who refuse to perform the test on arrival in the national territory may incur the crimes of disobedience and spread of contagious disease, so they are immediately notified by the Aliens and Borders Service to perform the test within 48 hours, at the expense of this notification, the health authorities and the territorial security force of the area of your residence being informed of this notification. They must remain in the residence or in accommodation indicated by them until the notification of the negative result, under penalty of incurring a crime of spreading contagious disease.
14. Can I travel to Portugal by land? Will I have difficulties in passing through Spain and France?
Portuguese citizens and residents of Portugal can enter national territory. As a result of the measures and restrictions on entry and circulation adopted by several countries of the European Union, it is recommended that the use of airways be privileged. If you choose to travel by land and travel from Germany, or another country whose land exit is limited, you must inform yourself about the measures and restrictions existing in each of the transit countries, carefully respecting the rules determined by the authorities in each country.
15. I live abroad. Will I be able to return to my country of residence after my stay in Portugal?
In the case of temporary travel to Portugal and with a view to returning close to the country of residence, travellers should be aware of the possibility of being subject to border controls on the return journey, providing now for any proof of residence that may be necessary.
16. I am Portuguese. I am outside the European Union. Can I travel to Portugal?
Despite the limitations on air connections to some countries outside the European Union, the return to Portugal of nationals and residents is allowed. In case there are no direct flights, it is recommended to look for alternative travel solutions, namely through stopovers in other countries.
17. I intend to go to Portugal, but my citizen card / driving license has expired.
The citizen's card, certificates and certificates issued by the registration and civil identification services, driving license, documents and visas related to the stay in the national territory, as well as the licenses and authorizations whose validity expires on May 17 or 15 days immediately preceding (Decree-Law 22/2020), will be accepted, in Portugal, until March 31, 2021.
18. I am abroad and have an expired residence permit. Can I return to Portugal?
You can. Although the Portuguese Government has extended the validity of documents and visas that have expired from February 23, 2020, they are valid and guarantee the protection of foreign citizens in Portugal, but not abroad.
19. I intend to travel by boat from France to Portugal. Can I do it?
Portugal currently applies a set of restrictions for recreational vessels, having suspended the issuance of licenses for land, and requiring mandatory confinement on board for 14 days before being able to disembark. It is recommended that you do not travel to Portugal on this route.
20. What specific rules should I keep in mind about the conditions for leaving and entering my country of residence?
Always considering the explanations mentioned above, each country stipulates its own rules regarding the entry and exit regime of its territory. Therefore, you should always confirm the information in the Advice to Travelers.
