UK, EU and Schengen Visitors from Portugal No Longer Required to Take Mandatory PCR Test Upon Arrival

Visitors from the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the Schengen area will no longer be required to take a mandatory PCR test upon arrival in Portugal.

Travelers can now employ lateral flow tests – which the UK government provides free of charge to UK nationals – to prove they don’t have Covid-19, according to Algarve Tourism.

Lateral flow tests must be completed within 24 hours of boarding a trip to Portugal, while PCR testing can be completed up to 72 hours prior to departure.

The modifications, which have been approved by the Council of Ministers, take effect immediately.

In April, Portugal was the only major tourist destination added to the UK’s initial green list, but it has now been transferred to the amber list, requiring visitors from Portugal to self-isolate for ten days at home.

The traffic light lists will be reviewed toward the end of June.

According to Joo Fernandes, president of Algarve Tourism, “This will significantly lower the cost of traveling to the Algarve. In the meantime, we continue to implement strict social distancing measures and health and safety operating procedures to keep both tourists and residents safe.”