Every aspect of our lives has been impacted in some way by the Covid-19 health crisis. Not just how we socialise, but how we conduct business, shop, and travel domestically have all been affected. One of the biggest ways though that it has adversely affected us is in travel abroad. Before 2020, as residents of the UK, we enjoyed the freedom to travel to many different destinations around the world. Then coronavirus spread and everything changed.
There has never been another time in modern history and since commercial air travel was available that travel from and to the UK has been so controlled and scrutinised. Even between us and close neighbours across the water on continental Europe like Portugal. The good news is that as the vaccination programme is being rolled out efficiently, the worst of it may be behind us soon.
That may not necessarily mean you will be able to travel to Portugal or anywhere else without good reason. It may be a case of waiting and seeing. However, if you are looking to travel to Portugal, what are the current rules? That’s what we are going to discuss in the following post.
Can you Travel to Portugal?
The answer to this question is not as simple as yes or no because as it stands, travel of all kinds is banned for all but those who residents for essential reasons are. So, as it stands at the moment, you can’t travel recreationally to Portugal and only because you are living with immediate family or for humanitarian, health, educational, or professional reasons.
What Covid-19 Tests Do You Need to Travel To Portugal?
Like many of the EU countries, you need to have a negative PCR test 72 hours before your flight to Portugal.
What Documentation Do You Need to Travel to Portugal?
There are several important documents you need to make sure you have before you leave for your flight in the UK and arrive at your destination in Portugal. You need a PCR certificate and Portugal fit to fly certificate to prove you do not have Covid-19.
In addition to the above, you also need to show residence status evidence in the form of a residence certificate or residence card, to prove you are a resident. This will need to be shown to your airline and the immigration officer at the airport when you arrive.
If you are travelling for what you consider to be essential reasons, you need to have some kind of evidence that backs up the necessity of you travelling. This also needs to be shown to your airline and the immigration officer when you arrive.
Where Can You Get Your Covid-19 Test and Portugal Fit to Fly Certificate?
We know that there are a variety of different organisations and companies out there offering fast-track Covid-19 tests and Portugal fit to fly certificates. We believe, at Pure Testing, we have one of the best testing services on offer. It is one of only a few to have the full backing of the British government and that has UKAS-certified testing facilities and laboratories.
The tests at Pure Testing are administered by healthcare professionals who are well-versed in the process and know how to perform them quickly. To book yours, you just need to look at the Pure Testing website and the online booking scheduler. From there you can choose the date and time that suits you best, keeping in mind your departure time and arrival at the airport and the rules for Portugal, if that is where you are going.
On the day, you simply go along and have your test taken, from the moment you arrive at the testing facility until you leave, It should be no more than 15 minutes. Then you just need to wait in the comfort of your own home for a digital copy of your results in your preferred format, along with a Portugal fit-to-fly Certificate, fully signed by a GP.
What Else Makes Pure Testing Stand Out?
If you are still not convinced, you should consider Pure Testing because we have an experienced team of people working at the testing facility and in the laboratory, all very skilled at their jobs. Our tests are therefore affordable, efficient, quick, and accurate.
