Fully vaccinated travellers no longer need to take a Covid-19 test to travel to Portugal, reducing the hassle of preparing for your holiday.

Meanwhile, health experts say the country has now passed the peak of the omicron surge and there is early talk of loosening restrictions.

Family breaks in Portugal are fairly straightforward with children aged 11 or under exempt from entry requirements and over-12s who are not fully vaccinated permitted to enter with a negative test result or proof of recovery from Covid.

Take note that Portugal’s two autonomous island regions, the Azores and Madeira, have different rules to the mainland. Indeed, Madeira has dropped all entry requirements, but unvaccinated travellers may need to do a weekly test to enter venues or restaurants.

Here’s what you need to know when planning a trip to Portugal.

Can I go to Portugal? 

Yes. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) no longer advises against non-essential travel to Portugal – making it easier to obtain insurance.

Portugal is welcoming British arrivals, however, there are some restrictions in place (see below).

Are flights operating? 

Direct flights between the UK and Portugal are currently operating. Jet2, Ryanair, British Airways and easyJet are among the airlines currently flying to Portugal.

Will I be insured if I go? 

As the FCDO doesn’t warn against non-essential travel to Portugal, insurance policies are easier to come by.

Do I need to take a test before travel to Portugal?

To enter mainland Portugal, travellers need to show proof of vaccination, a pre-departure laboratory test or a recovery certificate. Yes, fully vaccinated travellers are allowed to enter Portugal without taking a test. Unvaccinated travellers need to take a PCR within 72 hours of flight departure, or a rapid antigen (lateral flow) within 24 hours. Children under 12 are exempt.

Do I need to fill in any forms? 

Yes, all arrivals must fill in a passenger locator form.

What are the rules for children?

Children aged 11 or under are exempt from entry requirements and over-12s, who are not fully vaccinated, are permitted to enter with a negative test result or proof of recovery from Covid.