The Portuguese tourist board has confirmed that UK vaccine certification or proof of recovery will be accepted on entry into the country.
The move is in line with European Union recommendations, with the UK one of 33 ‘third countries’ for which the bloc has a reciprocal agreement to accept Covid vaccine status.
Last week, the Portuguese government confirmed negative Covid-19 tests on arrival will no longer be required for “those who present the EU Covid digital certificate in any of its modalities or other proof of vaccination that has been recognised”. But it was unclear at the time whether the UK’s NHS Covid Pass would be deemed sufficient proof.
Visit Portugal has now updated its website with the terms and conditions, which confirm ‘a valid recovery certificate issued by a third country’ is acceptable for entry.
While Portugal has dropped its requirement for fully vaccinated visitors to present a negative Covid test on arrival, a pre-departure test or a valid recovery certificate (of recovery within 180 days) is still required.
These tests, to be taken before travelling to Portugal, can either be a PCR Covid test taken within 72 hours of departure, or a lab rapid antigen Covid test taken within 24 hours of boarding. Children under the age of 12 are exempt.
Vaccines must be authorised by the European Medicines Agency. These include Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Novavax and Janssen.
It is mandatory for all passengers to complete an online Passenger Locator Form (PLF) before boarding a flight to Portugal.
Measures do not apply to domestic flights, or arrivals into the island of Madeira, except for the PLF. The Azores allows either PCR tests take within 72 hours, or antigen tests taken within 48 hours.
Both Madeira and the Azores ask UK travellers to fill out separate forms on arrival than the Portuguese mainland.
Flights to and from Portugal and the southern African countries of South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe are suspended.
Face masks remain mandatory in closed spaces in Portugal, and proof of vaccination or a negative test on the same basis as entry to the country are required to enter tourist establishments and accommodation, restaurants, shows, events with reserved seats and gyms.
Vaccine certificates are also required for entry to bars, clubs and ‘big events’.
Luis Araújo, president of Turismo de Portugal (Visit Portugal) said: “We welcome the new measures approved by the government of Portugal which will facilitate the entry of everyone to our beautiful country.
“Passengers who come to Portugal are only required to present a digital EU Covid-19 certificate or other proof of recognised vaccination such as the NHS app Covid Pass. Vaccinated passengers will no longer be required to present a negative test at airports.
“Our country has never stopped working to welcome any tourist and we have taken the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our visitors and residents. We will stand by our mission of providing the best tourism experience with the highest safety standards.
“Our country is among the European countries with the highest level of national testing and percentage of vaccinated population, the Portuguese tourism industry has been in operation for several months now and we are ready to safely welcome all visitors as we head cautiously towards a post-pandemic world.
“These last two years brought some challenges, but Portugal is shifting its focus to three main goals: regenerating our ecosystem to provide better tourism, digitising the offer to guarantee fluid experiences throughout the territory and growing in value by creating unique and high value products that are able to mobilise the tourists.
“A final word to reiterate our commitment in welcoming all the tourists who choose to have their vacations in our country, providing them the safety, warmth, and kindness of the people of Portugal.”