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Brits can look forward to vacationing in Portugal in the near future.

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Britain to allow travel to Portugal for vacation
Britain to allow travel to Portugal for vacation

Brits can look forward to vacationing in Portugal in the near future.

As of Friday, April 16th, air travel between the UK and Portugal is possible without quarantine, marking a significant step towards the resumption of normal travel between the two countries. This change comes after the United Kingdom removed Portugal from the travel red list on March 19th, a decision that was not explicitly mentioned in the Official Journal of the Portuguese Republic.

For UK travelers planning trips to Portugal, it's important to note that starting in 2025, a valid passport and an ETIAS travel authorization will be mandatory due to Brexit-related changes to EU travel rules. No visa will be needed for stays under 90 days within a 180-day period.

Currently, Portugal does not require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for entry. However, the latest available information does not specify mandatory COVID-19 testing or quarantine for UK travelers, indicating that these requirements may have been lifted or are not strictly enforced. Travelers are advised to verify any last-minute changes close to travel dates via official government or embassy sources, as COVID-19 travel requirements can change.

Notably, the land borders between Portugal and Spain remain closed for the time being.

The Algarve, a favourite destination for the British, has not been specifically mentioned in the latest travel updates. However, low-cost airline Ryanair is offering some flights from the UK to Portugal starting at 20€, scheduled for late May and early June. EasyJet's CEO, Johan Lundgren, has placed Portugal among a list of countries that he believes will be accessible this summer, including Spain, Italy, France, and Croatia.

Passengers on flights originating from South Africa, Brazil, or the specified countries must comply with a 14-day prophylactic isolation period, in addition to presenting a negative test. The Portuguese Republic's Official Journal states that all passengers, including British, must present a negative Covid-19 test upon arrival in Portugal, done within the previous 72 hours.

Portugal's Prime Minister António Costa confirmed that the next phase of de-confinement will not require a 14-day isolation period for the British, except for those arriving from South Africa, Brazil, or countries with an incidence rate equal to or greater than 500 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days.

[1] ETIAS: European Travel Information and Authorisation System [5] Official Journal of the Portuguese Republic: Boletim Oficial da República Portuguesa

  • For UK travelers planning their vacations to Portugal in the future, it's crucial to remember that from 2025, a valid passport and an ETIAS travel authorization will be necessary due to changes in EU travel rules following Brexit.
  • Despite the land borders between Portugal and Spain remaining closed, budget airline Ryanair is offering flights from the UK to Portugal starting at 20€, with departures scheduled for late May and early June.
  • As of the current travel situation, Portugal does not require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for entry, but all passengers, including British travelers, must present a negative Covid-19 test upon arrival, done within the previous 72 hours.

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