Portugal to allow non-vaccinated Brits in without quarantine

1 September 2021, 20:22

Unvaccinated Brits will be able to travel to Portugal without isolating - but they will still need to quarantine when they return to the UK
Unvaccinated Brits will be able to travel to Portugal without isolating - but they will still need to quarantine when they return to the UK. Picture: Alamy

By Daisy Stephens

Unvaccinated Britons can visit Portugal without having to quarantine after the country loosened its travel rules in a boost for last-minute summer holidays.

Travellers still need to show a negative PCR or rapid antigen coronavirus test result but will not need to prove they have had the jab upon arrival at the popular holiday destination.

Previously, visitors had to show they had been fully vaccinated with an EU-approved vaccine, including Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna, upon entry to mainland Portugal or they would have to quarantine for 14 days.

Children under 12 do not need to show proof of a negative test and the changes also apply to EU countries and several other nations including Brazil, China, the US and Australia.

Read more: Mu: New Covid strain designated variant of interest by WHO

Read more: Scotland to introduce vaccine passports for nightclubs and large events

Travel association Abta said the rule relaxation means the holiday destination will become "even more appealing" for Britons.

A spokesperson said: "Portugal is a popular destination with UK holidaymakers - 2.8 million Brits travelled there in 2018.

"It offers beautiful beaches, fantastic cities and lovely countryside, not to mention a vibrant cafe and restaurant culture.

"The relaxation of travel requirements is likely to make it even more appealing for anyone looking to take a late summer break."

Travel journalist Simon Calder explains the traffic light system

Under mainland Portugal's new rules, lateral flow tests must have been taken within 48 hours of departure while PCR tests must have been completed within 72 hours, and travellers must also complete a passenger locator card before departure.

Travellers to the Portuguese islands of Azores and Madeira must show either a negative PCR test or a vaccine certificate to avoid a two-week quarantine, although they can have a free test on arrival if they agree to go into "prophylactic isolation" - a 12 to 24-hour waiting period for the test result.

Travel agent calls on government for more support after selling home to save business

Currently, Portugal is on the England's amber travel list.

It means that fully-vaccinated adults can return to the UK without needing to quarantine.

However, unvaccinated people must isolate for 10 days once they return home.

The Portuguese islands of Madeira and Azores are on the UK green list.

Read more: First patient gets Pfizer's anti-Covid pill designed to stop coronavirus replicating

Read more: People aged 12 and over with weakened immune systems to get third Covid vaccine dose

Grant Shapps confirms new travel rules for double-jabbed people in England

The Government has come under fire for the complexity of its travel guidance over recent weeks.

Throughout the pandemic the guidance has changed more than 50 times, in what the travel industry called a "constant rollercoaster" of adjustments.

Read more: Govt intends to press on with vaccine passport plans for nightclubs

Read more: Afghanistan: Raab fails to answer questions on Crete holiday three times

The green list is the only category of countries where quarantine is not necessary for unvaccinated tourists.

People returning from these countries - which include Austria, Canada and Malta - must take a series of Covid tests but only need to isolate if one of them is positive.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Breaking
An eight-year-old child was caught in the crossfire of a shooting in Ladbroke Grove.

Man, 22, arrested after girl, 8, seriously injured in double shooting

Man denies causing death of three-week-old baby by dangerous driving following horror crash

Man denies causing death of three-week-old baby by dangerous driving following horror crash

Sir Keir Starmer said: "That isn't how our system works."

‘I’m not surprised they want a rerun,’ says Sir Keir as 2m people sign petition calling for a fresh General Election

Salman Amin has said it is harder to make the case for investing in Britain now

'Case for investment in Britain crumbling under Starmer', warns McVitie’s boss

The Sea Story tourist boat has disappeared

More than a dozen people are missing after tourist vessel sinks in the Red Sea

Calin Georgescu

Shock as far-right, pro-Russia candidate wins first round of Romanian election

PETA has asked a Birmingham pub to change its "offensive" name.

Animal rights activists target beloved Birmingham pub over 'derogatory' name

Barbara Taylor Bradford who has died aged 91

Best-selling A Woman of Substance author Barbara Taylor Bradford dies aged 91

Mussie Imnetu

Charity worker denies murder of top chef killed following attack near Notting Hill Carnival

Davina McCall shares health update as she reveals 'short-term memory problems' following brain surgery

Davina McCall shares health update as she reveals 'short-term memory problems' following brain surgery

County Hall Maidstone, Kent.

Labour to abolish 'dozens' of councils in biggest reform for a generation

Gunman on the run after girl, 8, seriously injured after being 'caught in the crossfire' in double shooting

Gunman 'fired directly into car' leaving girl, 8, seriously injured in double shooting - as police hunt suspect

Exclusive
LBC’s Nick Ferrari has remembered being spiked while at a party.

‘The whole world was spinning’: Nick Ferrari candidly recalls drink spiking as he shares 'appalling' side-effects

Jess Phillips pledges £250k to curb drink spiking - as she hits out at Tory inaction over women's safety

Jess Phillips pledges £250k training budget to curb drink spiking - as she hits out at Tory inaction over women's safety

Dr Philip Nitschke enters a 'suicide pod' known as 'The Sarco'

Inventor of Sarco death pods say he will bring device to UK - despite first user being found with 'strangulation marks'

UK unveils AI cyber defence lab to combat Russian threats, as minister pledges unwavering support for Ukraine

British spies to ramp up fight against Russian cyber threats with launch of cutting-edge AI research unit