Robson1410

Hello. I’m going on a trips shortly to look at several possible properties on the south coasts of Spain and Portugal. I may be going back and forth a bit over the border and was wondering if there are controls in place that I will have to pass through each time or whether I can just shoot back and forth in hindered.

thanks

Lou71

We have crossed the bridge several times without being stopped. If the police do stop you, they will want to see your Covid vaccination passport.

I think the Portuguese police were carrying out regular random spot checks up until 10 January but they seem to have eased off now.

Shanorme

As above ^^ Although, at present if you are stopped, they will also want an antigen negative test (48 hour) or PCR (72 hour).

Mike

Not quite true.
The current rules, which are in place until 9 February, require anyone entering Portugal from a red list country, which Spain is, to have a negative test certificate.
Checks are random and many people have gone back and forth without being stopped but ......

Lou71

Is this ​based ​on personal ​experience? How often have you actually been stopped and asked to show a negative certificate? Which side of the bridge were you stopped?

Mike

Based on the current rules in place. You can check on Visit Portugal website but here is the section covering land crossing:

2) Arriving to Portugal by Land

• Citizens from EU countries considered to be at low or moderate risk must hold a COVID EU Digital Certificate, in the form of vaccination, testing or recovery.
  
• Citizens from countries outside the EU and from EU countries considered to have a red or dark red risk level must present:
  - EU Covid Digital Certificate in test or recovery modes, or
  - Negative RT-PCR test performed in the last 72 hours, or
  - Laboratorial Rapid negative antigen test performed within the last 48 hours
  
  Information on EU countries' risk level: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/covid-...-free-movement
  
• Cross-border workers, who carry out their professional activity within 30 km of the border, and workers in essential services (transport of goods and passengers, emergency and relief, security and emergency services) must present the Digital Certificate in the modalities of vaccination, test or recovery.
  
• Citizens from Southern African countries, namely South Africa, Botswana, Essuatini, Lesotho, , Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe in the last 14 days must undergo RT-PCR test (TAAN) or laboratorial Rapid Antigen test (TRAGg) to COVID-19 and comply with 14 days of prophylactic isolation at home or in a place indicated by health authorities. Prophylactic isolation can be stopped if a negative test (TAAN or TRAg) is performed on the 3rd day. It does not apply to those who stay in mainland Portugal for a maximum period of 48 hours

Lou71

I see what you mean re the text highlighted in red but I'm an EU national with an EU Covid vaccination passport.

Shanorme

This is completely irrelevant. I travel extensively from Portugal and through the EU and back and forth to the UK. I also have an EU Covid vaccination passport and I still have to present a negative antigen (48 hours) or a negative PCR (72 hours) for travel. The GNR might not patrol that land border most of the time but when you are stopped as I have been, you will be required to present whatever is necessary at that time.

guesswork

I live in near Ayamonte but play golf in Portugal Since the restriction came in at the end of last year I have only seen a check point twice.