Approved Rapid Antigen Tests

First of all, if I read the requirements correctly, you do not need to test to enter Portugal if you are fully vaccinated. I encourage you to double check your information on this from official sources.
https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/covid-19-measures-implemented-portugal

Secondly, the BinaxNow test that comes with telemedicine is approved and it is probably a good idea to have one along. You can tell it is the correct BinaxNow test if it has RX on the cover.

I am traveling to Portugal next week and so I have been keeping very close tabs on the requirements for entry.

You DO need a test to enter from the US right now. I keep hoping it changes - but it has not so far.

https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/covid-19-measures-implemented-portugal

In addition, the home test is not valid - it must be a lab- based test. So you can do the quickie Abbott Binax type test but you need to make an appointment to do it at a Walgreen’s or other pharmacy or medical office/lab.

I am going in June so keeping my eye on it, and the current info is what Valerie said. You do currently need a test and it has to be at Walgreens or the like

I reread the information that is linked above. While it is true that travelers with an approved vaccination record do not need to test, the United States is not listed as having an approved vaccination record. I didn't read far enough the first time I went through this.

Where are people sourcing the information about The BinaxNow test that is done via telemedicine? The reason I asked is that one receives a report from a laboratory that proctors the test. It is not a traditional "home" test.

No, the self-monitored tests are not accepted. They need to be done in person at an external facility. So the monitored Binax tests are not considered acceptable for entry to Portugal.

A PCR/NAAT test taken within 72 hours of departure or an antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure are the only tests accepted. And yes, they need to be taken at an external facility.

No, the self-monitored tests are not accepted. They need to be done in person at an external facility. So the monitored Binax tests are not considered acceptable for entry to Portugal.

But those tests (the Anbott "BinaxNOW" antigen tests, monitored online) ARE acceptable for the return to the USA.

Hi! I'm currently in Portugal with my family. I decided on rapid NAAT tests which we could take 72 hours before departure to Portugal. Walgreens has these, and appointments are easy to make online. We had no problem with these. We brought along the proctored binax rapid tests to return to the us at the end of the week, but they are different from the usual binax tests you can buy at most pharmacies. It is a little confusing and a lot annoying, but it is all worth the trouble!

David,
Yes, the monitored Binax tests are approved for return to the US. I was merely addressing the question about whether these were acceptable for entry into Portugal. I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear.

It is my understanding that the Abbott BinaxNow proctured home tests are not accepted for entry into Portugal. It has been discussed multiple times on other sites and that has been the conclusion individuals have come to. The language for the conclusion is based on the need for it to be a Laboratorial Rapid Antigen Test.

Perhaps it will be accepted, but personally I will be getting my test at Walgreens (NAAT) even though I own six of those eMED tests and would have loved to be able to use one.

Thanks for the discussion.
Walgreens it is...

So I am trying to make an appointment at Walgreens in Washington D.C. The only appointments for testing are drive through. We won't have a car, and the only locations that have appointments are outside of the District, about an hour drive or so, (if we had a vehicle).

Has anyone had an experience where they took a Rapid Antigen Test at Walgreens without a car?

Anyone have any other ideas on how to get a same day test in D.C. without a car?

Maybe our best bet is to do it at the airport?

Gary, I'm in Atlanta without a car. I have "walked through" the CVS drive through for a test. They were fine with it!

yes, just used the Binax Now HOME test to get into Portugal last week on Lufthansa. No problems. Would have used it from Portugal to return but only had 2. Very easy and reliable. For what it is worth...there are "portable" Covid labs in Lisbon, often associated with a nearby pharmacy (such as the one right near the Rossio) which allowed walk ins, was efficient, helpful, and free and we used that on the return. As you hinted, make sure you DO NOT get or use the Abbott BinaxNow self test. That is NOT associated with Emed and although it is the same test, it is not proctored and not self reported. Make sure it says HOME and order it online (they do not sell it overseas or in pharmacies at this point - I called Emed to ask). I am sure there are other tests out there, but could figure out which, and none of our local pharmacies had the slightest idea what the certified tests were all about. You'll need to download the NAVICA app to use the Binax Now Home test. Surprisingly easy. You can get them online, either 2 or 6 packs. You'll need one test for each person one way.

just read through more of these threads.

Just to clarify, the BinaxNow HOME version is proctored and certified, and we showed it at Logan to depart, at Lufthansa and on entry to Portugal. We had no problems at all. Obviously, bureaucrats the world over are grotesquely misinformed about lots of stuff so I can' guarantee that you'll have the same experience. In fact, the day we were to leave we were denied Boarding by Swiss Air because we were transiting Zurich and they wouldn't accept my wife's vaccinations (even though we transited through Zurich in AUgust, also in Swiss air out of logan - exact same itinerary), so we had to rebook on Lufthansa through Munich and our Walgreens/Convenient MD printed documented tests were no longer valid (>72h), so we used our BinaxNow Home version and had no problem at all.

Based on that I believe much of the information on this thread is incorrect.

So, that can be even more confusing.

I have purchased Emed, Abbot Covid 19 Ag Home Tests for re - entry to The U.S. I am now certain that we will be able to use this on line monitored test to come home from Europe.

The thing that concerns me about Joseph's very clear response, is that he was turned down by one airline and then had to re - book on another airline. I would hope that I can get to the airport and get on the flight that I have booked with TAP.

Here's what I know is true at this point.

1. I cannot verify that a home test with online monitoring would get me on my TAP flight to Portugal.
2. I am fairly certain that getting a lab Rapid Antigen Test from CVS or Walgreens would be accepted by TAP and The Portuguese Government.
3. I am quite certain that taking eMed Abbot Covid 19 ag Home test will get us back into the U.S. from any EU country.

I am thankful for all the discussion and would welcome any other advice on this topic

I'm leaving next Friday for Portugal. Right now my plan is to get a PCR or NAAT test at Walgreens and if that doesn't come back in time or inconclusive, the back up is the eMed test and hope that the at home part isn't looked at too closely.

Personally, I wouldn't use the eMED as plan A, but perhaps a plan B if I need a test last minute to board the plane.

And I think your points on what you know right now are correct. That's how I understand it.

Joseph,
Even though Lufthansa accepted your monitored self-test, it does not mean that this officially fulfills the requirement for a “laboratorial rapid antigen test”. What it does suggest is that enforcement is inconsistent and there are many people who don’t know what the requirements are. But though the language is a little confusing, the requirements really are pretty clear for US citizens (and still Canadians, though hopefully, not for long). One must take a test prior to entry that is in an external facility: either a PCR or NAAT test within 72 hours prior to departure or an antigen test within 24 hours of departure.

Perhaps, they were a bit easy on you since you already were denied access to one flight. But, more likely, there’s a lot of misunderstanding about what the requirements are to enter Portugal. But some airlines may be a little bit more careful so people should not assume this is a viable option for testing to enter Portugal.

It’s been posted ad nauseum, but the Visit Portugal site is the place to go to get information on entry requirements.
https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/covid-19-measures-implemented-portugal

We are traveling to Lisbon via Paris next week. We have decided to do the Rapid Antigen test at Walgreen’s the evening before our flight. I will report back after we arrive in Lisbon.

I am confused with the wording on the Laboratorial Antigen test on the Portugal website.
24h before boarding (according to the European Commission list based on the Council Recommendation of 21 January 2021 + Addendum December 2021).
I have looked over the list and how do you know if the Laboratory at for example Walgreens is accepted on the list by the EU commison.

Am I overthinking this. Will just a lab antigen test with all the recommended info: name, dob etc work?