Information COVID-19
Implemented measures during the outbreak of COVID-19
[Updated on May 31. Situation of Calamity in force until june 13.]
During the outbreak of pneumonia by the new Coronavirus – COVID-19 the Portuguese government has been taking all necessary public health measures to protect the entire population. The analysis of the evolution of the outbreak is constant and implementation of new measures will be carried out whenever necessary.
General behavior guidelines were enacted, in which all people must adopt the following rules:
- Social distancing;
- Frequent hand washing;
- Mandatory use of mask;
- Respiratory etiquette.
In order to prevent the spread of the virus and the possibility of contagion, all services should take hygiene and sanitisation measures according to the indications of the Directorate-General for Health, with specific recommendations for various sectors of activity. In tourism, the “Clean & Safe” seal, defined by Turismo de Portugal, was implemented, which allows tourists to have greater security and confidence in the use of accommodation establishments, in the various tourist services and tourist attractions.
In the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores, both regional governments have enacted some specific measures.
National measures - https://covid19estamoson.gov.pt/ (in Portuguese)
Azores - www.visitazores.com / https://www.visitazores.com/en/trip-info / https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt
Madeira - www.visitmadeira.pt / www.madeira.gov.pt/Covid19 / https://covidmadeira.pt
You can get updated information on the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal at WHO - World Health Organization (https://covid19.who.int/region/euro/country/pt) or at DGS – Portuguese General Directorate of Health (https://covid19.min-saude.pt/).
Before travelling, visitors should obtain and confirm information about procedures and restrictions in the countries of origin and destination, from the airline company and from the foreign and border services.
At this time, the Situation of Calamity is in effect until June 13. The liftting of lockdown restrictions will take place in 4 phases, which may be reviewed every 15 days according to the epidemiological evolution.
Check the list of restrictions at EstamosOn (in Portuguese).
- General lockdown
There will be a general duty of home retreat. It will not be allowed to circulate in public spaces and roads, with the exception of authorized travel on which the following stand out:
- acquisition of essential goods and services;
- access to public services;
- professional activities (if accompanied by a statement);
- health reasons;
- assistance to vulnerable people;
- school attendance;
- participation in religious ceremonies;
- short walks for physical activity, individually or with members of the same household;
- pet walk;
- travelling necessary to enter or leave the mainland, including those necessary to travel to and from the plece of accommodation;
- homecoming within the framework of permitted situations;
- refuelling at petrol stations as part of permitted journeys.
- 1st Phase
- Opening of commercial establishments until 9:00 pm on working days and until 1:00 pm on weekends and public holidays, for home delivery, door-to-door delivery of goods or collection of products purchased by means of remote communication (click and collect);
- Food stores open until 9 p.m. on working days and until 7 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays;
- The sale of take-away drinks is allowed in restaurants and similar establishments, but the sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m;
- Fairs and food markets are allowed, with the authorization of the city council;
- Opening of bookstores, libraries and archives;
- Opening of parks, gardens, green spaces and leisure areas;
- The time restriction is not applicable to accommodation units, local accommodation, rent-a-car and establishments located inside airports after the passenger security check.
- In hotel bars and restaurants, operation is permitted for the purpose of room-service or take-away.
Portuguese citizens are allowed to travel outside the mainland, by road, rail, air, river or sea.
- 2nd Phase
Restrictions implemented on 5 April, but maintained from May 30th to June 13th in the municipality of Arganil
- Opening of museums, monuments, palaces, art galleries and similar;
- Opening of shops up to 200 m2 with a door to the street;
- Non-food fairs and markets allowed upon municipal decision;
- Opening of terraces (groups of maximum 4 people allowed);
- Physical activity and outdoor training up to 4 people;
- Opening of swimming pools;
- Opening of golf courses.
- 3rd Phase
Restrictions implemented on 19 April, but maintained from May 30th to June 13th in the municipalities of Montalegre and Odemira
- Opening of cinemas, theatres, auditoriums, concert halls;
- Opening of all shops and shopping centres until 9 pm on working days and until 1 pm on weekends and public holidays;
- Opening of restaurants, cafes, and bakeries until 10:30 pm on working days and until 1 pm on weekends and public holidays. Groups of 4 people are allowed inside or 6 people on terraces;
- Physical activity and outdoor training up to 6 people;
- Outdoor events allowed with reduced attendance.
- 4th Phase - Measures implemented on May 1
- Opening of restaurants, cafés, and pastry shops until 10.30 p.m. Groups of 6 people are allowed inside or 10 people on terraces;
- Large outdoor and indoor events allowed with reduced occupancy.
From May 13:
- Fun fairs;
- Private amusement parks;
- Water parks.
- Circulation in Portuguese territory / Borders
On land borders with Spain there are no restrictions on movement since 1 May.
Citizens coming from Brazil, India and South Africa entering Portugal by land must comply with a 14-day quarantine period at home or at a place indicated by the health authorities.
Anyone who is obliged to comply with the 14-day prophylactic isolation in Portugal must register with SEF - Foreigners and Borders Service before entering the country at https://travel.sef.pt.
- Trips to the Azores and Madeira Islands
Passengers flying to the Madeira archipelago must comply with one of the following options:
1. Submit a negative test to COVID-19 performed within 72 hours prior to departure;
2. Present a medical document certifying that the holder is recovered from COVID-19 disease at the time of landing, issued within the last 90 days;
3. Present a vaccination certificate against COVID-19, respecting the period of activation of the immune system foreseen in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC);
4. Perform test on arrival and await the result in prophylactic isolation;
5. Perform voluntary isolation, for a period of 14 days, at home or in a hotel accommodation.
More information at www.visitmadeira.pt.
- Passengers flying to the Azores archipelago :
To visit the Azores, the SARS-CoV-2 screening test is MANDATORY, within 72 hours preceding the flight from the airport of origin, carried out using the RT-PCR methodology, with NEGATIVE result, making explicit reference to the identification of the person tested, the laboratory, the date of the test and the signature of the person responsible for its performance, which must be presented prior to boarding, in digital or paper support, without which boarding will be refused.
If the stay is longer than seven days, on the 6th and 12th day from the date SARS-CoV-2 first test was performed, the passenger must contact the health services of the county where is staying so that a second test can be performed.
More information at www.visitazores.com
- Flights to and from the European Union and Schengen Area
The resumption of air routes with the countries of the European Union, as well as in the Schengen Area, is dependent on border restrictions and on the evolution of the epidemiological situation worldwide. Therefore, before making a trip, it is important to consult the alerts and restrictions provided by foreign and border services, whether in the country where the trip starts as in Portugal (www.sef.pt), as well as checking the necessary procedures and documents with the airline .
At the European Union website - https://reopen.europa.eu - you can find information on each country about borders, available means of transport, travel restrictions, health and public safety measures, as well as other practical information for travellers.
To know which are the travel regulations all around the world, check the map at the IATA Travel Centre.
- Flights to and from Portugal are allowed for:
Non-essential travels from the countries of the European Union, from Schengen Associated countries (Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland) and from the UK (see specific information for UK travellers at https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/uk-travellers-travelling-and-testing-procedures.)
Passengers must present proof of a negative test to COVID-19 (RT-PCR), carried out within 72 hours before boarding time.
Countries with an incidence rate equal to or greater than 500 cases per 100,000 inhabitants - Brazil, India and South Africa:
- Only “essential travel” is allowed
- Must present proof of a negative test to COVID-19 (RT-PCR), carried out within 72 hours before boarding time
- It is compulsory to comply with a prophylactic isolation period of 14 days, at home or in a place indicated by the health authorities, after entering mainland Portugal
The list of countries is determined by govenmental document, reviewed every 15 days and whenever necessary according to the pandemic evolution.
Flights from Australia, China, Israel, South Korea, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, Thailand, and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau (subject to confirmation of reciprocity).
Flights to and from other countries (which are not members of the European Union or which are not countries associated with the Schengen Area) for "essential travel" only;
Flights intended to allow the return to Portugal of nationals or foreign citizens holding a residence permit in Portugal and flights intended to allow the return to their countries of foreign citizens who are in Portugal, provided that they are promoted by the competent authorities of those countries.
On all flights, passengers must present proof of a negative test to COVID-19 (RT-PCR), carried out within 72 hours before boarding time, with the exception of children who have not reached 24 months of age.
- Those who are obliged to comply with the 14-day prophylactic isolation in Portugal must register with SEF - Foreigners and Borders Service before entering the country at https://travel.sef.pt.
The prophylactic isolation does not apply to:
- passengers traveling on essential trips and whose period of stay in national territory, attested by a return ticket, does not exceed 48 hours;
- passengers traveling exclusively to participate in international professional competitions, listed in Annex IV of the official governmental document Despacho nº 5418-A/2021 (in Portuguese);
- passengers integrated in foreign delegations to participate in meetings within the scope of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
- “Essential travel” is defined as trips allowing the transit, entry into and departure from Portugal for professional purposes, study, family reunions, health and humanitarian reasons and under the reciprocity principle.
In essential travels, national and foreign citizens with legal residence in Portugal and also diplomatic personnel accredited in Portugal who, exceptionally, do not present the test, will have to do it on arrival, at the airport, and at their own expense. Foreign passengers who embark without the test performed, will be refused entry into national territory, with the airline being the subject of a fine.
- The Portuguese airports (Lisboa, Porto, Faro, Ponta Delgada e Funchal) have implemented several initiatives in order to keep staff and passengers safer. A body temperature measurement system was implemented on arrival. Passengers will be requested to fill out a form from the Health Authorities - Passenger Locator Card -, that can be fulfilled online or will be provided by the Airline Company, during the flight. This information will be used to contact passengers, in case someone develops COVID-19 symptoms within the same flight.
More information at https://www.ana.pt/en/passenger-guide/what-you-need-to-know/covid-19
- Useful links with information on flights from/to Portugal:
www.flytap.com
www.ana.pt/en/corporate/ana/flight-restrictions
www.azoresairlines.pt
www.ryanair.com
www.airfrance.pt
www.lufthansa.com
www.eurowings.com
www.easyjet.com
www.airtransat.com
www.airmalta.com
On Portuguese territory, travellers who show symptoms suggestive of respiratory disease during or after travel should immediately contact the National Health Service by calling 808 24 24 24 (SNS24).
If you are a foreigner visitor and want to do the test for Covid-19 shortly after arrival, before departure or at any time in mainland Portugal or Madeira you can do it in one of the hospitals and clinics included in the Portugal Health Passport that can provide you personalized support in your language. The test for Covid-19 must be scheduled with a consultation and the results will be available in up to 72 hours. More information is available at test.covid19@portugalhealthpassport.com
If you are a foreigner and you need to contact your embassy, please consult the website of the Diplomatic Corps in Portugal: www.portaldiplomatico.mne.gov.pt/rede-diplomatica/corpo-diplomatico-em-portugal
If you are Portuguese or you live in Portugal, in case you have a scheduled trip, you should consult the restrictions in each country on the Portal das Comunidades:
Alerts (in Portuguese) - www.portaldascomunidades.mne.pt
Advice to Travellers (in Portuguese) - www.portaldascomunidades.mne.pt/pt/conselhos-aos-viajantes
If you are travelling and you need support on your return to Portugal, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
Portuguese travellers line - gec@mne.pt/ +351 217 929 714 / +351 961 706 472
- Embarkation and disembarkation of tourism cruises
The same rules as for air traffic apply.
Must present proof of a negative test to COVID-19 (RT-PCR), carried out within 72 hours before.
Citizens coming from Brazil, India and South Africa entering Portugal by land must comply with a 14-day quarantine period at home or at a place indicated by the health authorities.
Anyone who is obliged to comply with the 14-day prophylactic isolation in Portugal must register with SEF - Foreigners and Borders Service before entering the country at https://travel.sef.pt.
- Transports
The use of face masks is mandatory.
Public transports are limited to 2/3 of the capacity.
In taxis / TVDE, the front seats must be used only by the driver, and passenger occupancy cannot exceed 2/3 of the remaining space.
- Rent-a-Car
In vehicles with a capacity of 5 seats or less, they can be fully occupied if they belong to the same household.
If the vehicle has a capacity for more than 5 seats, its capacity is limited to 2/3 of the total, unless they are part of the same household.
- Sales and consumption of alcoholic beverages
The sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in service areas or gas stations and, from 9 p.m., in shops including supermarkets and hypermarkets.
- Golf
The golf courses are in operation. The specific measures established by the Portuguese Golf Federation are available at www.fpg.pt.
- Accommodation / Campings
Tourist accommodation has been adopting the “Clean & Safe” seal implemented by Turismo de Portugal, which allows the identification of establishments and services that have implemented enhanced hygiene and safety measures.
A general occupancy limitation has not been determined, but each accommodation unit must define a Contingency Plan to be applied in the COVID-19 context, with circulation rules in common areas, as well as hygiene and cleaning procedures.