In Lisbon now, thought it might be useful to report our experience although YMMV…. Flew from Detroit to Amsterdam to Lisbon on 3/20-21. No online check-in available at all on Delta, not that you would know that since Delta will encourage you to use FlyReady and online check in and etc…it’s just that nothing will work. Agent at airport told us there has been no online check-in for international flights for 2 years. Passport and vax card checked, nice old-school boarding pass issued. Online info indicated traveler declaration or locator form was required for Amsterdam and Lisbon, with Portugal also requiring a negative lab-certified COVID test. Filled out the forms, got rapid PCR test ($$) prior to leaving. Amsterdam required nothing other than standard passport check. Lisbon…required nothing at all. We still think something went wrong somewhere but we walked off plane, through airport and out to taxis without ever encountering a check point for anything. Glad we were prepared, but I have a bunch of docs that were never needed…
Posted by
WA USA
1077 posts
Thanks for the information. We will also be traveling to Lisbon via AMS on Delta. Too bad no online check-in.
I'm wondering why they checked the vaccine card? I thought Lisbon required only a negative Covid test and AMS nothing if in transit? Makes me a bit concerned since I don't have a booster shot.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7548 posts
The locator forms were needed, just that no one is going to stop you and examine them. Locator forms are submitted and available if there is an issue with infection on one of your planes, but are obsolete after one or two days.
Your Vaccine card was checked because that is an entry requirement, including a booster if your last shot was more than 270 days ago (no expiration on the booster though, yet) Only the airline need check it, to do so in Lisbon or Schiphol would be redundant.
Amsterdam also has you fill out a health declaration for awareness, but does not check it.
As for the test, if you are vaccinated, testing is not required for Portugal or for transiting Schiphol, so that is why no one checked.
Posted by
San Francisco
184 posts
Careful, here. US CDC cards were left off the Portuguese govt rules (some other countries were OKed but not us). Since they don’t accept the CDC card as proof of vaccination at entry, I read they consider you unvaccinated and a test IS required. Luckily, the cards once you’re in aren’t needed anymore for restaurants, hotels, etc.
Posted by
88 posts
Susan- I believe you are correct, if you are from the USA heading to Portugal, you need the negative test.
I just did some preclearance paperwork for United, their guidance regarding shot record or test requirement was confusing.
This Portuguese website spells it all out, no reciprocal agreement with the US, so you need the test.
Posted by
OP
Michigan
315 posts
That was our understanding as well, you need a negative test to enter Portugal. So we went with pcr tests since results are valid longer (in case of delays). No one checked this. Perhaps the assumption is made that if we were able to board in US and in AMS we were good, but that’s certainly not the official stance per official websites etc.
Posted by
Midwest
2768 posts
I had a direct flight to Lisbon and my COVID test and location form was checked at check in, in the US before getting my boarding pass. Nothing was checked in Lisbon. So I think they are operating under the assumption that these documents are checked at boarding. If your boarding airline skips it then they (the airline) can get a fee if a random check uncovers a problem but who knows how often that happens.