Be aware that cases are really rising in Europe. Parts of the Algarve have instigated a vax-certificate to enter restos, and weekend curfews. Take any vax certificate in the back-pocket 'just in case' .. Were taking ours today for a friends birthday bash in a PT resto.

Of course Spain and Portugal went recently red on the EU's map.... After we arrived.

With cases rising, countries who dont have the excellent vaccination numbers of the UK, may well change their border entry rules. International travel risks and restrictions will probably increase over time in line with this.
I recommend checking out the official government sites for entry/exit rules, best from the 'horses mouth'

The UK is really going 'against the international grain' with 'freedom day' ... But the vax programme is showing that the link of case rate vs death rate is pretty much broken. Phew! But it may not be the case for some other countries less vaccinated.

One day we will be able to travel freely again...we need it!

Jon
https://www.brusselstimes.com/news/b...t-molenberghs/

Oh Dear !

You shouldn’t have mentioned you’ve got a printer Jon.
There is probably a queue outside your front door already .

We arrived here in El Almendro (North of Ayamonte) a week ago having flown into Faro. We are due to return by the same route in 10 days time and will have the necessary recent antigen test results to allow us to enter Portugal and fly back to the UK.

It would be good to visit PT for lunch and/or beach while we are here but, as UK citizens, the rules appear to prevent that, unless we have fresh negative antigen tests done here in Spain before driving over the international bridge. Presumably 14 days quarantine in PT would likely be imposed if we were stopped at a random border check. That would be some long lunch!

Thank you very much John

Hiya, does that also apply if you are double vaccinated?
Thank you
Mel

Yes, to enter PT as an EU non-resident you must be double-jabbed and have a fresh negative Covid test. This applies to all arrivals, whether by air, sea, rail or road.

To enter Spain from PT is simpler as no test required.

Had anyone seen border patrois at the bridge since the land borders were reopened in early June ?
If not ,then it looks like this is a technicality rather than a strict rule.
If they do stop you , I'm guessing you would be turned back to Spain anyway.

According to the VisitPortugal website -
"2) Arriving to Portugal by Road

No restrictions of entrance, except for citizens coming from Brazil, India, Nepal, and South Africa in the last 14 days, only for essential travel:

•  
  •  
    • Must comply 14-day quarantine period at home or at a place indicated by the health authorities;
    • Must register before entering the country at https://travel.sef.pt

Passengers from the UK

•  
  •  
    • Comply with 14 days of prophylactic isolation on arrival in Portugal, or
      Have complete vaccination for 14 days.
    • Children and young people that are yet to complete 18 years old at the time of their departure flight are exempt from quarantine as long as they travel accompanied by their parents, parent or responsible adult that are fully vaccinated/immunised as per EU directives
      * Children under 12 years old are exempt of testing requirements
      * Young people from 12 to 18 years old must comply with testing requirements
    • Passengers required to undergo prophylactic isolation must register at https://travel.sef.pt

https://www.visitportugal.com/en/con...ented-portugal

It also states changes may be made on the 11th July (today).
Mary.

There have been no checks on the bridge in the time we have been here.
Mary

All cross-border travel is a risk these days. There is a good strong argument to stay at home.

I will say that there are no checks at the bridge that I have seen... We go to PT a lot. My friend who lives in PT comes to ES most days (and has been since borders opened) has never been checked either way.

If they (PT) turn you back at the border you return to your Spanish home .. At the moment the (ES) are not checking as no test is required. So returning to the ES home is less problematic.

So as long as you know the risks, its your decision as to what you do, and are thus prepared for any consequences, without complaint.

Jon

The situation is fluid , to say the least.But every cloud..
Had a funny chat the other day with an older couple . They had come in for their second
vaccination. I asked them why they hadn't had it months ago .
They replied that they had flown to their holiday home and got trapped there for 2 months with the restrictions coming in as they were unable to get flights back.
I said on now that's terrible ,where were you stuck.
They said Barbados !
so I said ,actually don't feel so sorry for you now!

And they came back why?.......

Our glorious British summer of course.!
I mean who needs a tan when you get the same colour by rusting .

and we would have nothing to complain about, lol.
Mary.

Good Morning all, have been looking into the testing and checked out Randox but, for us it is the time, travel, journey etc to their drop box - miles away from us. Will be a pain when in Spain too and would be concerned about their receipt of the test and the response time

Following my first post I had made a mistake as I missed out the fact that you need a test to enter Portugal so need to do that before catching a flight from England.

Try www.c19testing.co.uk (Cerulean Healthcare) I have emailed them twice and they have replied quickly. They are on the gov.uk list. The rapid antigen tests 3 days before leaving England and before leaving Portugal/Spain are £29 each. Do the test yourself and upload it to their site with passport details and they respond with your certificate (if negative of course) which you can print off.

The day 2 PCR test on return is £99, Day 2 and day 8 are £180 As Mary said above, no rush to book the tests as we may only need the Day2 BUT, of course, anything and everything could change hopefully for the better but it may not.

SO per person from England to Portugal 2 Rapid Antigens @ £29 each and (hopefully) 1 x day 2 PCR = £99 TOTAL £157 IF Day2 and Day8 PCR on return then the total is £238
The PCR tests can be returned to C19 Testing by Royal Mail

Anyway, if like us you are thinking of travelling it may be worth a look and please do post comments on here - good or bad so we can make the correct choices/

Take Care all

Mel