Good news for the French who are preparing for their summer vacation.
After lifting the quarantine requirement in mid-May, Portugal, one of their favorite European destinations, has been easing entry conditions for tourists from the Schengen zone, vaccinated or not, for a few days.
Despite some signals of a localized epidemic resumption of Covid 19 in recent days, the country is continuing the last phase of its deconfinement, life is gradually returning to a form of normalcy.
The Lusitano State is also preparing the deployment of the European health pass, scheduled for July 1 throughout the Old Continent.
Read also: Covid-19 and travel: possible destinations for French people, vaccinated or not, entry conditions ... Our map, country by country
See also
- Covid-19: Portugal reopens its border with Spain
Arrival in Portugal: vaccine, PCR or antigen tests ...
What are the conditions for French tourists?
Whether you arrive in the country by plane, boat (cruise, pleasure craft) or by land, you are subject to the same rules.
If you opt for the road, be aware that border controls between Portugal and Spain have now been lifted.
Several steps are nevertheless necessary before going to enjoy the beaches of the Algarve, the sublime landscapes of the Serra da Arrabida, or the last addresses in Porto.
Read the file: Portugal: destinations, accommodation, good addresses ... Le
Figaro
travel guide
Before departure, a prior form available in Portuguese or English should be completed, which is supposed to simplify the border control process. The questionnaire is nevertheless offered by the airline at the time of boarding. On site, the
French vaccinated as well as the unvaccinated
from France, and aged over 2 years must present either a negative PCR test carried out in the 72 hours preceding the trip, or, and this is new, a test rapid antigen (TAAN-TRAg) performed within 24 hours of arrival.
Please note that the self-tests are not accepted by the Portuguese authorities.
Which could lift the test obligation for people vaccinated (last or single dose received for at least 14 days), but not before June 27 at best.
In all cases, thermal cameras systematically measure the temperature of travelers in the country's airports.
Read also: Travel abroad: the deadlines to respect once vaccinated or cured of Covid-19
Sanitary situation, bars and restaurants, hotels, beaches, curfew ... What are the measures in force in Portugal?
The continuous improvement in the health situation in Portugal weakened in a localized manner on June 17. The day before, the country of 10 million inhabitants (23.7% of whom are fully vaccinated) had recorded 1,350 new cases of coronavirus in 24 hours, the highest daily figure since the end of February. Contrary to the easing of health restrictions in several European countries, the government has decided to ban entry and exit from the Lisbon region during this weekend, to prevent the rise in Covid cases from spreading to the rest of the territory. On the other hand, it is possible to move between the 18 municipalities of the agglomeration and to migrate, for example, to Cascais or Caparica, seaside destinations very popular with Lisbonites and tourists.
Read also: Portugal: new health restrictions targeting the Lisbon region
Another turn of the screw is also operated in 10 municipalities of the country where the cases of Covid-19 exceed the alert threshold of 240 contaminations per 100,000 inhabitants.
The health constraints are stricter there.
Besides Lisbon, it is Cascais, Sintra, but also in the Algarve of Loulé and Albufeira, in the Center region of Sertã and Arruda dos Vinhos, in the Alentejo of Odemira, and finally in the North of Braga and Vale de Cambra.
In all these municipalities, bars and restaurants close at 10:30 pm The rules are even stricter in Sesimbra, near Setubal.
The alert threshold is exceeded for the second consecutive week and the bars and restaurants lower the curtain at 3:30 p.m. on weekends.
Read also: Where to go in Portugal this summer?
Our must-haves across the country
In the majority of the country, where the average number of daily contamination is 839 cases over the last 7 days according to Our World Data, the last phase of deconfinement continues, however.
Portugal goes to “level 1” on the whole of the territory with the exception of Lisbon, Odemira or Braga.
So what is allowed to be done?
For the moment, unlike France which abolished it in the street, wearing a mask remains compulsory in Portugal in public places outside and, of course, inside public establishments.
You can sit down in the bars and restaurants or dine there as long as you do not exceed 6 people per table inside and 10 people on the terrace.
These establishments can remain open until 1 a.m.
On the other hand, to dance the night away, you will still have to wait: night bars, clubs and discos are closed until further notice.
Read also: Stopover on the Vicentine coast, Portugal seen from the sea
On the shopping side, all shops have resumed their normal hours.
As for museums and other monuments, they are open with, however, a gauge of 50%.
Public transport operates normally but must ensure, when there is seating and standing, a maximum capacity of two-thirds.
In transport where there are only seats, the capacity is no longer restricted.
In taxis, the number of passengers is no longer limited.
The beaches are accessible and you need to wear a mask to get around, but not when you are on your towel.
The praia info app and site provides information on beach frequentation with a simple color code, from green (few people) to red (saturated).
Read also: Five secret beaches in Portugal to enjoy a vacation away from the crowds
To reassure tourists, Portugal is highlighting the Clean & Safe label, launched last year, which benefits more than 22,000 tourist establishments.
It guarantees
"compliance with health rules
,
"
says Jean-Pierre Pinheiro, director of the Portuguese Tourist Office in France.
Madeira and the Azores: separate travel conditions from mainland Portugal
If you want to visit the archipelagos of Madeira or the Azores, which try to vaccinate most of the population before the summer holidays, know that the rules differ from those applied on the mainland.
Travelers over 12 years of age traveling to the
Azores,
by plane or boat, are required to present, in digital or paper format, a negative PCR screening test carried out within 72 hours of flight or ship departure. If the result is negative, you must register your trip on the My Safe Azores platform which will allow a faster check on arrival. If the stay is equivalent or greater than 7 days, the traveler must, on the 6th and 12th day from the date of the first test, contact the competent health authority for the place of residence or accommodation, in order to carry out a second and a third test.
In the archipelago, wearing a mask remains compulsory on public roads for people over 10 years old when social distancing of 2 m is not possible.
The latest information on on-site restrictions is regularly updated on an official website.
Read also: Coves, beaches, natural pools ... The most beautiful swimming spots in Madeira
If you are leaving for
Madeira
, again there are specific arrangements. You must first complete an epidemiological survey, within 48 hours to 12 hours before boarding. The document is available on the website of the Regional Health Authority. This measure applies to tourists over 12 years old. A QR code will then be sent to you by email and must be presented at Madeira airport. However, the archipelago facilitates access to vaccinated travelers presenting a supporting document issued less than 180 days ago: they are exempted from presenting a PCR test. Ditto for proof of recovery from Covid dating less than 90 days. Wearing a mask is compulsory on public roads from the age of 6 throughout the archipelago,which further restricts alcohol consumption.
