NataHH

Pistolpete

have you read this?
https://www.portugalresident.com/mad...-for-visitors/

Pistolpete2

Thanks for this! Was waiting for something to come up specifically for Madeira but can't see any mention of it yet on the main Madeira Covid 19 information board. We may struggle with the 48 hour bit anyway and isn't Mainland Portugal, as above, 24 hours?

NataHH

It depends how quickly the airlines take it on board and change their website. You only need one awkward check-in person who is not happy with the paper work and you'll stay in the UK or will swim from Lisbon to Madeira.

Rambling archer

Keep checking the UK Govt site for details, though it is only from UK, not the deepest wilds of the Carribean !! https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-ad...y-requirements

Quote -
Entry to Portugal, including the autonomous regions of Madeira and the AzoresThere are no restrictions on travelling to Portugal from the UK. See ‘Screening on arrival’ below.

If you are travelling from any other non-EU/EEA country you can only enter for essential purposes, such as to live with immediate family members, or for professional, educational, health or humanitarian reasons.

Check the Portuguese Immigration Service website for further details of the entry requirements.

You need to complete an online passenger locator card before you arrive in Portugal.

Screening on arrival

With the exception of children up to the age of 2, you must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test to travel to or through Portugal. The test can be:

• a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT), including RT-PCR, taken within 72 hours of travel, or
• an Antigen test that meets the performance standards set out in the EU common list of Rapid Antigen Tests, taken within 24 hours of travel.

You must show your test certificate before you board your flight to Portugal. Your airline is likely to deny boarding if you cannot show this at check-in.
END quote

toots sweet

How would the antigen test work if you're driving. Is it 24 hours before arrival in PT? or as before ,24 hours before boarding the ferry. 24 hours is really cutting it fine either way.

Pistolpete2

I have to admit that I'm struggling to work out what the timeline is for air passengers from this:

• An antigen test (TRAg) performed within 24 hours prior to the time of departure on the 1st embarkation point. (from TAP's website).

For Grenada it says the same and suggests that it is first check-in on your journey to the island. The problem is that the Portuguese Mainland Passenger Locator Form doesn't ask for any details regarding flights apart from the one to enter Portugal (unlike the UK PLF) and those overzealous lot at Gatwick (Easyjet) might deny you boarding if they interpret the rules for their own purposes.

This is Easyjet's interpretation of same:OPTION 2 Antigen test taken 24 hours before departure

• Test type accepted: antigen test
• Time window: 24 hours before departure of the last direct flight to Portugal.

So PCR Test it is.

Pistolpete2

For Madeira, Portabay (who do product marketing for the island) posted this today:

- From July 1, will only be required for entry in Madeira, a test antigen, held up to 48 hours before departure. Self-tests will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Will def need a lie down when this is all over.

Mac and Mabel

Take at a look at the document linked to by Bomber at post #24. Article 23 deals with border crossings by land. Doesn’t stipulate any test required, only isolation by those from India/Brazil/S Africa, or having been in those countries in previous 14 days. This concurs with the updated info on SEF’s website regards Covid and entry at land borders.

Pistolpete2

We have eleven days to go until we are due to arrive in Madeira and Madeirasafe have just emailed to advise that our Grenada Ministry of Health Covid Vaccination Certficates have been validated. Got our first PCR tests done today - for intra-caribbean travel, so we are on a roll.

Will have to think what we might change as a result of this BUT at least we know our certs were good for travel as well as protection. Will print-off the Madeirasafe QR codes in due course.

IF we were traveling thru Porto to Funchal from LGW entirely on TAP, I would be tempted to rely on what I interpreted in the rules to indicate that IF I remain in the airport, I can simply use the Madeira QR codes and the Portugal PLC to see me through Mainland Portugal, but with Easyjet ex LGW, I wouldn't take that risk, as a newbie.

Ref our TAP tickets from Porto to Funchal, I noticed that in spite of booking our tickets specifically with two bags allowance (economy plus) the manage my booking feature only shows one bag allowance. Something to take up with TAP in Porto when I flash my eticket and copy of webpage in front of them showing the two bag allowance - will try not to stress over it.

Pistolpete2

I'm a bit confused, to put it mildly, as to what the latest information is regarding the timeline for necessary tests to enter mainland Portugal. We are traveling to Porto on Easyjet from Gatwick on the 27th and then flying onwards to Funchal same day. We have Madeira covered as we are fully vaccinated and they have validated us. Madeira rules change on July 1st.

Easyjet have this:

Portugal

Open with restrictions

Last Update: June 18, 2021 Last Review: June 18, 2021

(Ref Covid Testing)

All passengers entering or transiting through Portugal must have a negative COVID-19 test result.

OPTION 1 NAAT test taken 72 hours before departure

• Test type accepted: nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT)
• Time window: 72 hours before departure of the last direct flight to Portugal.
• Applicable age: Travelers 12 years and older.
• Keep in mind:
  • Passengers could be subject to PCR test upon arrival.
  • Failure to present a COVID-19 test at the airport upon arrival in Portugal is a violation resulting in fines from 300€ to 800€. Please, note that fines on individuals and businesses are doubled during the State of Emergency.
• Exceptions:
  • Passengers younger than 12 years;

OPTION 2 Antigen test taken 48 hours before departure

• Test type accepted: antigen test
• Time window: 48 hours before departure of the last direct flight to Portugal.
• Applicable age:Travelers 12 years and older.
• Keep in mind:
  • Passengers could be subject to PCR test upon arrival.
  • Failure to present a COVID-19 test at the airport upon arrival in Portugal is a violation resulting in fines from 300€ to 800€. Please, note that fines on individuals and businesses are doubled during the State of Emergency.

I can't see any evidence anywhere else as to how/when 'we' migrated from the 24 hour to 48 hour before requirement for an Antigen Test - understandable though it is.

Hettyb

Hi,
It changed on the 17th. If you go to Safe Communities in Portugal Facebook page and scroll down a few post you can read it there.

Pistolpete2

Ok very good - thank you!

Amend articles 2, 6, 20 and 25 of the regime annexed to Council of Ministers Resolution no. 74-A/2021 , of 9 June, which shall now have the following essay:Article 20

1 - Airlines should only allow passengers to board flights with destination or stopover in mainland Portugal upon presentation, at the time of departure, of proof of laboratory performance of nucleic acid amplification test (TAAN) or rapid test of antigen (TRAg) to screen for SARS-CoV-2 infection with a negative result, carried out within 72 or 48 hours prior to the time of boarding, respectively, with the airlines being responsible for verifying the existence of said test at the time of departure, without prejudice random verification, upon arrival in mainland national territory, by the Public Security Police or the Aliens and Borders Service (SEF).

So we just have to wait a bit for the Gov.uk guidance to update specifically for Portugal. BUT if Easyjet have it, for us, that is what counts.

Pistolpete2

We are now within four days of our UK departure on Easyjet from LGW and I've gone in and loaded our Portugal information and have our PLCs with QR codes emailed to us. Will print these off when we get our UK PLFs within 48 hours of travel.

At this point am not sure how we manipulate the data for a change in address or whatever once in Portugal and within the 15 days after flight date that the data is stored. Presumably it's easier if you have the QR code on your phone or does the data click up to become amendable once past the arrival date?

wellinever

As a resident of Portugal and holder of Portuguese vaccination certificate (DGS) showing final jab in May, am I exempt from a Pre flight covid test when flying from UK to Portugal mainland?

Up early as usual cant get used to the early sun in summer in England.

bons

Out of interest, which flavour jabs did you have?