Mac and Mabel

Does anyone know - or better still have experience of - the requirements when entering Portugal by land from Spain? Is PCR test required of a U.K. citizen (not resident in Portugal) and if so, when does the 72 hrs count from - time of boarding ferry to Spain, time of entering EU in Spain, time of entering Portugal? Difficult to find a definitive answer on this, even on SEF website, horse’s mouth so to speak. In fact SEF site seems almost to imply nothing would be required because Spain-Pt border is no longer manned...

wellinever

I would have assumed that to be the case.
If there are no border checks then there is no one to look at papers.
The checks would be done getting off the Ferry in Spain, and if like planes, before you get on the ferry in the UK.
With no quarantine (yet) required for Brits from UK there would be nothing else to do.

Pistolpete2

Further to a bons post on here a while back, I received a message from Brittany Ferries earlier this week advising that they are working on a ferry routing likely from Portsmouth to Porto to start in June - no given but they are working on it and with France now introducing quarantine it would seem to be more likely.

As you may have seen in recent media coverage, we’re looking seriously at the potential of a UK to Porto route, to commence in June. A firm decision should be made imminently following discussions with port partners in the UK and Portugal. Portsmouth or Plymouth will be the UK departure point offering twice weekly return sailings. If it goes ahead this would be the first time in more than 40 years that Brittany Ferries has opened a route to a new country and will offer travellers the opportunity to avoid airport hassles and sail direct to the first major tourist destination to make it onto the UK government’s green list.

toots sweet

We passed through PT to UK 2 weeks ago. SEF were manning the entrance into Portugal and were stopping people before entering. Very much manned. Spain we just drove through. Be prepared to have all your documents ready.

Have you read this..https://imigrante.sef.pt/en/covid-19...-137b54b5-ae9a .Seems like within 72 hours of ferry departure like the UK.

bons

I hope this happens, I will certainly consider it. It won't be cheap but you have to weigh it up with fuel cost and overnight stays.

Mac and Mabel

Sadly, “a no-go (for now)”:
https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/i...us/ceo-message

Mac and Mabel

Thank you - so in practice still controlling the borders even if the Sef info says not since 30th April. That’s actually reassuring - I know my parents are fully vaccinated and have been very much shielding away from the world, but I wouldn’t like to think anyone else was just swanning in unchecked!

Bomber Harris

Something to be aware of that didn't apply to Brits before the end of the Brexit transition period.Foreign nationals entering into Portugal by a border not subject to border control are required to declare that within 3 working days from the date of entry, in the Immigration and Borders Service, except foreign nationals:

• Resident or authorized to stay in the country for more than six months;
• Benefiting from the community system or equivalent;
• Lodging in a hotel establishment or equivalent.

Mac and Mabel

Thank you, Bomber - that is very helpful and something we didn’t know. They will be entering at the Vilar Formoso border (north/central Pt) which does have a border post, although pre-Brexit have never actually been stopped. Do you know if the 3-day declaration rule counts if one enters at a manned border but isn’t actually stopped? They would have proof of sorts of where they entered, as at Vilar Formoso foreign cars have to stop and register their cc at the machine for payment of electronic tolls, so they would have their receipt showing location/date/time/vehicle reg. Blimey, it’s right tricky this post-Brexit world in a pandemic, innit?!

Mac and Mabel

Bomber - just found this. Seems to say that U.K. citizens are on the list of those for whom declaration isn’t mandatory.
https://imigrante.sef.pt/wp-content/...ntrada_EN_.pdf

Bomber Harris

It's an old PDF that has been on the SEF site in that form for at least 5 years to my knowledge and has not as yet been updated to remove the UK from the list of the EU/EEA member states (citizens of which are exempt the need to submit a declaration of entry).

Bomber Harris

Yes it does apply. It specifies 'uncontrolled border', whilst VF is a manned border it is an uncontrolled border (as are all Schengen internal borders when Covid hasn't shut them). Registering for the tolls doesn't circumvent the declaration of entry to SEF requirement.
Spain has a similar requirement, their's states you must stop at the uncontrolled border when entering Spain and report your entry. If the border post is unmanned you have 3 days to report your entry to the Guarda Civil or an immigration office. Their requirement goes further to say that anyone failing to do so will be classed as having made an illegal entry into Spain and subject to detention and fine.
As you say, it's tricky to keep on top of all the many changes Brits find themselves having to adapt to now.

Mac and Mabel

Oh dear. Do you know if they can just stop at the Vilar Formoso border post and declare entry, even if not actively stopped? And if not, do you think they would be able to declare entry at our camara where there is a member of staff who handles the EU members residencia registrations? Of course, you may not know any of this; sorry to ask so many questions. I bet we have to go and find the nearest Sef office, wherever that is!

toots sweet

It was the Vilar Formoso border crossing where they were stopping cars.

Mac and Mabel

Ah, so maybe that will fulfil the requirement...