Hello,
We are headed to Lisbon in a few days from Chicago. I understood that if we were fully vaxxed we didn't need a negative test to enter Portugal but recently I have been reading a few things that make it sound like we need a negative test. Has anybody entered Portugal recently and knows for sure if our vax cards will get us into the country?
Thanks,
Stefanie
A test is required from the US. Here are the rules: https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/covid-19-measures-implemented-portugal
Your airlines should provide all that info for you
US citizens and Canadians are required to provide a negative test to enter Portugal. Either a PCR or NAAT TEST taken within 72 hours of departure or an antigen test 24 hours prior to departure. It doesn’t matter that you’re fully vaxxed. Your airline should ask for the copy of the result but even if they don’t, it’s still,a requirement.
Yes this is confusing. United does not need a Covid test if vac card (but Portugal does? That doesn’t make sense but maybe rules changed very recently). I got a Covid test anyway. Will be entering in next 24 hours and hopefully rem to update here
The problem is with our CDC paper vaccination card. The EU does not trust it not to be a forgery. The EU (and Britain) have an electronic verification card.
Since we can't "prove" we have been vaccinated, we have to follow the protocol for unvaccinated people. Namely, a SUPERVISED negative test.
Dennis
Just landed in Lisboa. The United crew announced that "they sometimes ask for covid test, please keep ready"
Between the plane and immigration, they had three airport employees checking "covid documentation". They loudly announced "show covid test" but the person who checked mine was okay with Passport + cdc vac card. He didn't ask for covid test - which i had. When I asked him about needing covid test and he said "its all the same vac card or covid test". They barely glanced at the card, no attempt to read it as they are busy pushing people thru
Massive line at immigration. Atleast 300+ people in line . recommendation is take the covid antigen test.
Dennis,
The reason we (US citizens and Canadians) are still required to provide a test is because WE require a test to enter. That is the “reciprocal conditions” that the Visit Portugal site refers to.
Hi, I flew TAP Boston to Paris in February with a layover in Lisbon.
We had to have tests done for transiting through Portugal. This is required for Americans because Portugal does not accept the cdc card. Everything was checked in Boston - passenger locator forms, covid tests for my husband and I. My kids did not need them.
Natasha,
You have a choice of tests.
You can take either of the following:
1) PCR/NAAT test no more than 72 hours prior to departure
(or)
2) Antigen test no more than 24 hours before departure.
I know many people who schedule both, just in case the first doesn’t come back in time. If the first test comes back in time, they cancel the second one. The antigen test is a quick test but must be done no more than 24 hours before departure. Since most of us leave sometime in the evening, it might mean taking it the day of departure. For me, waiting till the day I leave to take the test would make me feel very anxious.
Allie,
Thank you SO much for posting your experience! It’s much appreciated.
Enjoy your trip!
Just wondering...
In my Apple Health app is a scan code and an electronic record of my covid vaccinations. Will that get me into Portugal or is it just a glorified CDC card?
Dennis
Does it matter what format covid test results are provided? Paper or an email printout or what is necessary? I am going to my health group's urgent care center for my test prior to Portugal visit.
@jchill1983...I printed everything but had it all saved on my phone as well because I worry things won't work.
We actually took 3 pcr tests on Sat and had an antigen test appt for Monday morning since we were leaving Monday night. I was worried I would not get results in time and that my husband would test positive still - he had covid 3 weeks before we left. Results came in sooner than later and everything was fine.
We're going to Amsterdam in June and I'm also using TAP again with a layover in Lisbon. We have EU digital covid passes now since we got them in Paris so I am hoping they will be accepted for entry into Portugal!
Dennis, you need to take a test to enter Portugal. It’s not about having a digital version of the CDC card. Portugal specifies accepting vaccination documents from countries with “reciprocity conditions” and names them. As of now, the US still requires people to take a test for entry. Until we change that requirement, we are not providing reciprocity.
Helpful, but also somewhat confusing, posts here. We're flying United (Newark to Porto) toward the end of June on a Monday. Thus, if PCR tests are still required at that time and need to be done 72 hours in advance, any suggestions on which places work on weekends (1) to get the test and (2) to process the results? CVS, Walgreens, Quest? I don't want to wait til Monday AM to get the test. And, to clarify - is it 72 hours in advance of departure or in advance of landing? Also - as I understand it, Portugal doesn't usually (but sometimes) accept the CDC vaccination card, but they accept a paper print out (or electronic) with PCR test results - is that right? Thanks, in advance, for responses.
72 hrs before departure for NAAT/PCR test. In addition to a PCR test, Walgreens also offers a NAAT test that has a 2 hour turnaround time.
"The test must be taken a maximum of 72 hours before the first departure to Portugal".
Which is the "first departure to Portugal"?
First flight is from my city to Philadelphia, 2 hr layover, then on to Lisbon. Is the 72 hr window from the first flight from home or from the Philadelphia flight to Lisbon?
<< First flight is from my city to Philadelphia, 2 hr layover, then on to Lisbon. Is the 72 hr window from the first flight from home or from the Philadelphia flight to Lisbon?>>
If you purchased the flights on one ticket: Philadelphia -“layover city” - Lisbon, then the 72 hour window begins before you depart from Philadelphia.
If, however, you bought 2 SEPARATE tickets, then that would not be the case, and the 72 hours would begin prior to the departure from the “layover city”.
is it 72 hours in advance of departure or in advance of landing?
Each country is different, as I've learned with my 2 upcoming trips, one of which requires the "test results" within 72 hours of arrival. The wording on the website for the US Embassy in Portugal says:
Passengers unable to submit an EU Digital Vaccination Certificate:
All passengers 12 years old older must present a negative COVID 19
test:PCR / NAAT test 72 hours before boarding or a rapid Antigen / TRAg
test 24 hours before boarding. Additionally, a Passenger Locator Card
must be completed and submitted. (Some airlines require completion of
this form before take-off.
You'll also want to check your airline for their (ahem) interpretation. For my trips, the wording has varied ever so slightly. You may wish to print your source to bring with you for checkin/boarding.
@Dennis glorified CDC card is fine. US and Canada QR codes don't work in EU. its just a casual/visual check in Lisbon by airport employees (not immigration authority). also take antigen test.
@SEAsiaTraveler PCR test is not needed, get the faster antigen test. just get paper printout of test or vaccine card. United does NOT need covid test to be uploaded to get onboard. At Portugal airport also, they were okay with vaccine certificate OR covid test. but since Portugal policy is still asking for a test, better to take. No one, neither United or Portugal is checking for the exact 72 hours.
Thanks Shaun Kel! Much appreciated! Am hoping all this will get easier closer to my travel dates, but I think that's wishful thinking with the BA2 variant gaining steam in the US!
