riv

Everywhere it is stated that travellers must present negative Covid test results taken within a day or two of travel, whether to Portugal or from Portugal to the UK.

But WHERE exactly does one go to take these tests ? Don't they need a day or two to get a result ?

Can you take them at airports on departure or on arrival ?

How much do they cost ?

Does this requirement apply even if you have proof of both jabs ?

SgtTroy

Lisbon area - lots of labs to get tested at, same day result as a standard. Circa 100 eur.

UK - no idea.

No, you can't take them at the airport as it does take at least 4 hours to get the result. You wouldn't be checked in for your flight without a negative test result.

Your proof of vaccination is good for some EU countries (Germany, etc), irrelevant for others, including Portugal, where you would still need to present PCR test result. Definitely irrelevant for the UK as of currently.

toots sweet

Well I can advise re Portugal as we have just returned to the UK.
The UK will accept an antigen test. These are much cheaper and almost immediate results .€30 and a 30 -40 min wait. There are lots of places where you can get these. We had ours done at a company called affidea.pt. Made an appointment a week prior to our visit which was less than 72 hours from departure time . Paid the bill ,got the test,30-40 mins late got the result. Letter of confirmation given at branch and emailed in English a couple of hours later. They don't seem to be in the Algarve but have a number of clinics and then lots of small analysis"shops" (where we went) to get the test.Look at "onde estamos" on their website and it will give addresses.There are other companies doing the same.We looked at Synlab,but to get a €30 test they wanted a prescription from a doctor.

Rambling archer

This has just been posted by Safe Communities on Facebook - see the link at the bottom - I suppose that any of these who have agencies in other parts of the country will be offering the same service ...
WELCOME TO VISITORS FROM THE UK – LIST OF TEST CENTRES IN THE ALGARVE FOR YOUR RETURN TRIP TO THE UK
Enjoy your holiday here in Portugal
REMEMBER
You will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken in the 3 days before you leave for the UK
Information from the Algarve Regional Health Authority, with locations and contacts of testing points in the region is available at the link below.
Conventional network of collection posts, for the purpose of diagnosing COVID-19.
CONTACT POINTS FOR TOURISTS
Regional Tourism Algarve (RTA) will provide, daily, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, two telephone lines to support tourists 931 125 106 and 289 818 582 to provide this and support information.
See the list of the testing network in the Algarve - COVID-19 Diagnosis.
PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION AND if you have visitors staying with you please ensure they are aware.
LIST OF TEST CENTRES HERE:
=AT07azMHRqVzkPZyrhMOvXSKrPCAhLRNkYypHJtP7cxK-xvRk1oGDrai1I1LuSsgEMRG15bhHVbXpJKQDKLmoyWa6VX0lC4 cxEoGEKVv4Iu6XRpGA4qhC_MOpy2V-SBrrO7rzS3UFWeQwOkCVjE4t0MaLtWv4YlbXeI8YB7o-L2q2Q8I9fSDNdDm4WOKfamD7IIc_FirojHRdg]https://www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/.../List-of-Covid...

https://www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/List-of-Covid-19-Test-Centres-in-the-Algarve.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2LEUHOrGUyxZDgiQgAFU3Nt3uq5 hTXB9ypogw-G9Hbw11vETRBudsI9Fg

macliam

The link doesn't work for me

"Sorry, something went wrong."

wellinever

Hi
So who did you fly with and to which UK airport..I was told by Synlab, that only Heathrow is accepting an Antigen test
Synlab are trying to get approval for their Antigen test, to ensure it meets UK requirements, and then maybe even set a clinic up in Faro airport, which is by far the best way to go IMO.just need to arrive an hour earlier.
I was at their place in Lagoa, early, and a queue of people waiting to be tested, mostly French, who were having PCR test. Confirm PCR test @ 100€, antigen test €20 if they can get acceptance.

RichardHenshall

https://www.safecommunitiesportugal....e-Algarve.pdf?

toots sweet

Didn't fly.. ...drove to Santander. Ferry to Porstsmouth. Antigen accepted by border control, and gov.uk accept it so don't know why Heathrow won't accept an antigen test. Had ours with affidea.pt, but don't think they have clinics or analysis centres around the Algarve. Mostly Central and North. Synlab told us they need a prescription to do the antigen (€30) and we all know how long that takes if not private.

Rambling archer

Sorry - yes that is the link !

wellinever

No Synlab told me that Only Heathrow is accepting Antigen tests....I think that might have been only from Lisbon, before this week when all UK airports running.
But as usual mixed messenging going on....they told me they are waiting for their Antigen tests to be approved formally do they give certification....so how are they doing it for Heathrow????

wellinever

I have a prescription for a PCR covid test, for a procedure.
it happens to coincide with my return to UK.
Would I be able to use the result if that test to fly????

ricko

Have a look at:
expresstest.co.uk

I saw that they had a long list of sites in the UK, and their FitToFly PCR test costs 80 pounds.

Rambling archer

Saw in the news this morning that Europe is considering and nearly ready to approve, the idea that vaccinated folk from the UK will be able to travel to any EU country without tests to make the journey, just to present proof of full vaccination. And then it would be up to the UK as to what needs to be done for travel back from the likes of France and Spain where the numbers might still be bad enough to be on the Amber list. Decision by EU still pending, probably til the end of this week ---

wellinever

yes great but when is Portugal going to issue an official app or doc to prove that one has had both jabs?? Cause presume without that some sort of testing will be needed forever when going back to UK

chislenko

That's good news even if the cynic in me thinks it's driven by the desire to accept the tourist dollar / pound whatever.

​​​​​​Just joined the NHS app, fortunately there are many security levels before you get accepted into the app so hopefully fraudulent use of the app will be minimised.