United didn’t want to see our Covid tests

Last week, the US Embassy was advising that the Portuguese Government was not explicitly stating that they were accepting the US CDC Vaccination card as proof of vaccination. ( Update Note: There still is no official clarification that Portugal will accept American’s CDC Cards as Proof of Vaccination per the May 2 Update on the US Embassy’s website. That means the airline at your departure airport or an Immigration Official at the Lisbon airport could require you to present a Negative Covid Test. And if you don’t have it, you could be denied boarding your flight or entry to Portugal).
While France, Italy and other countries accept the US CDC Vaccination card , Spain is requiring that Americans go to the Spanish government website to get a QR code using their US CDC Vaccination card. If you arrive in Spain without the QR code downloaded on your phone, there could be delays at the airport. The website is spth.gob.es
This situation is changing on a daily basis with Switzerland, Greece, the Czech Republic and Croatia-among other countries -ending the Covid entry rules.

It would be great if you could update us Susan. I dont put much stock in the fact that the United website didnt ask for the proof of vax as being indicative of anything policy-wise. It could be that they ask at the airport, and it could be that they ask in Portugal upon landing, so it would be nice to hear your experience. I know several people going to Portugal this month. They will get the test, but we have been watching to see if anything changes

Just because United on line said you are travel ready, I don't think that means you can enter Portugal without proof of a negative Covid test. I've experienced the same, as I loaded info into my reservation on United, I'm also travel ready, but will be taking our Covid test 72 hours before departure and have the paper with us when we land in Portugal later this month.

Correct Ellen. September 2021 leaving ORD for LIS through CDG connection — Delta airport check-in counter in Chicago required my CDC vaccination card and proof of negative test before boarding pass was issued. When I checked in with Delta on-line 24 hours prior to departure I got the “OK” indicating that all was in place to that point BUT no boarding passes could be issued until check in at the Delta airport departure counter where CDC card and proof of negative test were presented. So “OK” or “Fly Ready” does not mean a boarding pass is guaranteed. The current information for Portugal shows proof of a negative test is required.

I’ll let you know what happens tomorrow. I certainly expect to show my negative result to… somebody!

Susan - I look forward to hearing about your experience. I will be returning to Lisbon in June but this time on Iberia from Chicago through a Madrid connection. Safe travels and have a pleasant journey.

I've heard of individuals not showing their negative covid tests and still entered Portugal. However, I personally would not take the chance. No reason to be potentially denied entry over a test.

The US Embassy "strongly recommends all U.S. citizens travelling from the United States to Portugal" get a covid test.

Since "No specific guidance exists indicating if US CDC vaccine card are accepted for proof of vaccination"

https://pt.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Your experience with United isn't unfortunately the same experience someone else might have. We can only go by what the Portugese ambassy accepts and I wouldn't take a chance by not taking a test. United not checking your PCR test is a reflection of their incompetence not of what Portugal will or will not accept.

Apparently, `there is no change in the official Portuguese requirement of a Negative Covid Test for US Citizens entering Portugal as the government has not clarified their requirements. What the Immigration Officials are doing at the airport Is another matter but- for now- its’s better to have the documented negative Covid Test prior to leaving the US for Portugal along with your CDC vaccination card.

Portugal issued updated COVID regulations yesterday (5/6). No change.
Get your required test or rely on the luck of the draw at the gate.
I know what I am planning to do.
Dennis

Like everyone above, we got our tests and I certainly agree you should, given current guidelines. But for anyone who wants to know OUR experience today, I was able to check in with United online and got my green Travel Ready check mark with only uploading my covid card. No one anywhere today, San Francisco, Munich or Lisbon, asked for my (negative) covid test results. Since we had received boarding passes for the second Lufthansa leg at SFO, Munich transit was a breeze with just a quick passport check on the way to our gate.

Was told by Air Portugal that Portugal accepts vaccination certificate from USA. That’s what I got :

All passengers over the age of 12, with Continental Portugal as a final destination or in transit, must present:
• EU recovery certificate (or equivalent), OR

• EU vaccination certificate (or equivalent), OR

• Negative NAAT test, performed no more than 72h prior to boarding, OR

• Negative antigen test performed no more than 24h prior to boarding.

Additionally, Portugal also accepts vaccination and recovery certificates from the following countries:
• Brazil

• USA

• Saudi Arabia

• Australia

• Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Canada

• Qatar

• China

Noone wants to see our Covid tests. At least on arrival. Make sure you have the tests on departing.

My wife flew from Newark to Lisbon on United Airlines on May 14. Although she had her PCR test 2 days previously they never asked for the results in order to get aboard the plane.

We got back 3 days ago.
No one asked to see our (very expensive) negative test results before we left
But the airline (Brit Air) and the Portuguese customs official both asked to see our CDC VAX card. That's it
You do need a negative test to come back

Silly question - what kind of documentation are you bringing? I have done the qured online tests for return to the US - but are you generally just paying for a test at a pharmacy and then bringing along the email test results? Or is something more official (like the US travel certificate) required?

Thanks!