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OBSOLETE COVID THREAD Vaccine requirements to enter Porto

OBSOLETE COVID THREAD
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Julie Walker

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I am planning to walk the coastal route from Porto in September coming from USA. I am double vaccinated and boosted (Last jab was booster in Oct 2021). This will be greater than the 270 day requirement for last jab. What will I need to do to gain entry to Porto? And are there requirements for flying back to USA after 2 weeks of walking? Anyone having trouble with this? Any feedback and experiences are much appreciated!
Buen Camino! Julie :)
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
I can't speak to vaccine requirement for the CP, however, under current requirements you will need a Covod test 24 hours prior to coming back to the US.
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
If you are double vaccinated and have a booster and evidence of this, then you do not need anything else but check with your airline or the Portuguese Department of Foreign Affairs before you travel as it can change.
 
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I am planning to walk the coastal route from Porto in September coming from USA. I am double vaccinated and boosted (Last jab was booster in Oct 2021). This will be greater than the 270 day requirement for last jab. What will I need to do to gain entry to Porto? And are there requirements for flying back to USA after 2 weeks of walking? Anyone having trouble with this? Any feedback and experiences are much appreciated!
Buen Camino! Julie :)

The Portuguese tourist board says the following:

Mandatory to present:

- A valid vaccination EU Digital COVID Certificate (with a complete vaccination schedule or with a complete vaccination schedule and a vaccine booster)

- Or a valid test or recovery EU Digital COVID Certificate,

- Or a valid vaccination certificate (with a complete vaccination schedule or a vaccine booster) or recovery certificate issued by a third country, under reciprocal conditions

- Or a negative RT-PCR Test (or similar NAAT test) - 72h before boarding, or

- Or a negative Laboratorial Rapid Antigen Test- 24h before boarding (according to the European Commission list)

https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/covid-19-measures-implemented-portugal

I see you're writing from the US.

The US Embassy in Portugal notes that a US vaccine cert might not be enough:

  1. EU Digital Vaccination Certificate OR
    • No specific guidance exists indicating if US CDC vaccine card are accepted for proof of vaccination. As such U.S. Embassy Lisbon strongly recommends all U.S. citizens travelling from the United States to Portugal follow option 2, present a negative COVID 19 test before boarding (see below)
  2. Negative COVD Test
    • PCR / NAAT test 72 hours before boarding or
    • Rapid Antigen / TRAg test 24 hours before boarding.
https://pt.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/#:~:text=Must either provide proof of,at Madeira and Porto Santo.

So from the above it sounds like the safest option to be 100% sure is to have a PCR test 72 hours before boarding your flight to Porto.

If you decide to have an antigen test 24 hours before, it must be one of those on the European Commission list.

This is why I think the PCR will be less hassle as there shouldn't be any risk of it not being accepted
 
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€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
The Portuguese tourist board says the following:

Mandatory to present:

- A valid vaccination EU Digital COVID Certificate (with a complete vaccination schedule or with a complete vaccination schedule and a vaccine booster)

- Or a valid test or recovery EU Digital COVID Certificate,

- Or a valid vaccination certificate (with a complete vaccination schedule or a vaccine booster) or recovery certificate issued by a third country, under reciprocal conditions

- Or a negative RT-PCR Test (or similar NAAT test) - 72h before boarding, or

- Or a negative Laboratorial Rapid Antigen Test- 24h before boarding (according to the European Commission list)

https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/covid-19-measures-implemented-portugal

I see you're writing from the US.

The US Embassy in Portugal notes that a US vaccine cert might not be enough:

  1. EU Digital Vaccination Certificate OR
    • No specific guidance exists indicating if US CDC vaccine card are accepted for proof of vaccination. As such U.S. Embassy Lisbon strongly recommends all U.S. citizens travelling from the United States to Portugal follow option 2, present a negative COVID 19 test before boarding (see below)
  2. Negative COVD Test
    • PCR / NAAT test 72 hours before boarding or
    • Rapid Antigen / TRAg test 24 hours before boarding.
https://pt.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/#:~:text=Must either provide proof of,at Madeira and Porto Santo.

So from the above it sounds like the safest option to be 100% sure is to have a PCR test 72 hours before boarding your flight to Porto.

If you decide to have an antigen test 24 hours before, it must be one of those on the European Commission list.

This is why I think the PCR will be less hassle as there shouldn't be any risk of it not being accepted
Thank you!
 
Hi. Phil above has it correct. We just finished the coastal, now relaxing in Valenca on way back to Lisbon. From Canada (we have 4 vac) it is still test is required. We did the rapid test without any difficulty before leaving. As a note, no one verified on way here or on arrival Lisbon but spending the test money means not worrying about it. Coastal walk was worth any hassle, very beautiful. Mike
 
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If you are double vaccinated and have a booster and evidence of this, then you do not need anything else but check with your airline or the Portuguese Department of Foreign Affairs before you travel as it can change.
If you are flying into Portugal, you need a negative test to enter... 24 antigen or 72 hour PCR... They don't care about your vaccinations because Portugal doesn't recognize the US vaccines since the US doesn't recognize theirs... Also need the same tests same time period when returning... All this info widely discussed here and is officially located on Portugal government website
 
Our experience flying from DC to Lisbon two weeks ago on TAP was somewhat different than some of the comments above. TAP only checked our vaccination status at check in. I even asked if they wanted to see our negative tests and the agent said no. No one upon arrival in Lisbon asked for anything other than our passports. Check in agent on the return to the US two days ago (again TAP) did a very brief examination of our negative test and gate security briefly looked at the test results again after handing out the mandatory attestation forms.
 
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I am planning to walk the coastal route from Porto in September coming from USA. I am double vaccinated and boosted (Last jab was booster in Oct 2021). This will be greater than the 270 day requirement for last jab. What will I need to do to gain entry to Porto? And are there requirements for flying back to USA after 2 weeks of walking? Anyone having trouble with this? Any feedback and experiences are much appreciated!
Buen Camino! Julie :)
we've been walking Camino Portuguese since May 23rd... we are from San Diego, got a rapid antibody/ antigen test at a lab (we spit into straw) came back clear with plenty of antibodies (we both are recovered from covid) so we booked flights & traveled within 24 hrs. we were checked before getting our boarding passes & they said all was fine... smooth as can be. Buen Camino!
 
Join our full-service guided tour and let us convert you into a Pampered Pilgrim!
Our experience flying from DC to Lisbon two weeks ago on TAP was somewhat different than some of the comments above. TAP only checked our vaccination status at check in. I even asked if they wanted to see our negative tests and the agent said no. No one upon arrival in Lisbon asked for anything other than our passports. Check in agent on the return to the US two days ago (again TAP) did a very brief examination of our negative test and gate security briefly looked at the test results again after handing out the mandatory attestation forms.
We are here from Canada (arrived 2 1/2 weeks ago), and our experience was more like this--Air Transat out of Montreal reassured us several times that with vaccinations plus booster, we did not require a test. We hoped they were right, and didn't get a test. I have to say, I was worried but tired of spending $100+ on these tests. So I chanced it.

No one asked Canada-side (leaving via air) for anything beyond our government-issued vaccination certificate. No one asked Portugal-side (Lisboa airport) for anything at all. A great relief!

Your results may differ....
 
It’s hard to tell what will be the requirements in Sept, but I flew from Minnesota to Porto with a layover in Amsterdam on May 16.

I gave my proof of vaccination and rapid test at checkin. Masks were not required from MSP to Amsterdam, but they were required from Amsterdam to Porto.

Also, when i got off the plane in Porto, there was security making everyone show proof of vaccination before they were allowed to leave.

Since I’ve been here, I haven’t had to show anything, but I’ve also been staying in private rooms. From what I hear, people in albergues haven’t had to show proof, either.
 
We flew from San Francisco into Madrid in April. Used the SPTH app from Spain. Fully vaccinated and double boosted. QR code came in within seconds, which was checked prior to boarding plane. No check upon deplaning in Spain, although there were automated temperature checking devices all over. A little over a week later we flew into Lisbon. Filled out a form online and had no problems. I don’t even remember if anyone checked, but the form was from the office of tourism and was to be used only for contact tracing if needed (I checked when filling out the form to make sure I did it correctly).

Just follow the rules, and everything flows smooth. But remember the rules change frequently so check often prior to your departure.
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
Since I’ve been here, I haven’t had to show anything, but I’ve also been staying in private rooms. From what I hear, people in albergues haven’t had to show proof, either.
The only place that I stayed that required proof of vaccination was the albergue in Alpriate, right after Lisbon.
 
If you are flying into Portugal, you need a negative test to enter... 24 antigen or 72 hour PCR... They don't care about your vaccinations because Portugal doesn't recognize the US vaccines since the US doesn't recognize theirs... Also need the same tests same time period when returning... All this info widely discussed here and is officially located on Portugal government website
Thank you. Just making sure I’m interpreting all the info correctly.
 
Thank you. Just making sure I’m interpreting all the info correctly.
I'm not sure that this is true. Our information (mind you, flying from Canada 2 1/2 weeks ago) was that we did not need a test, only 2 shots plus a booster. I was apprehensive, because twice before (September and February) we DID need tests, but I took the chance when our airline said "don't bother." They were correct.

Here is the latest set of regulations:


They seem to be accepting official national vaccination certificates that have the requirements listed at the bottom of the page cited above.

Certainly Canada is not on that other list of "reciprocal" countries, but they still accepted our vaccination certificate without a blink or a query.

See what your airline has to say. They are the ones who actually do the screening and send the information on, to Portugal, when you check in. No-one asks at time of entry when you arrive at the Portuguese airport.
 
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Like Casserole and Friend from Barquinha said, the USA is not on the list of 20 “reciprocal” countries, but I arrived in Porto last week on a direct flight from Newark and there were two ladies checking vaccination certificates. I showed them my CDC card and they put a blue paper bracelet on my wrist. This was before going to the immigration window. I had paid $50USD for an antigen test earlier the day of my flight (to meet the 24 hour reqmt) and uploaded it to the United Airlines site, so I don’t know if the CDC card showing 2Pfizer jabs and a booster would have sufficed for United.

Coming home, it was fantastic. The Porto airport has a COVID test center smack dab in the middle of the airport in the departure level. It’s just past the big flight board and next to the Information booth. No appointment necessary. For €20 you get an antigen test with results in 30 minutes or less. I uploaded the document to United Airlines and was good to go for my return to the USA. Couldn’t have been more convenient, and was WAY less hectic than the test center I used at Madrid Airport last October. To be fair, Porto airport is nowhere near as busy as Madrid.

Masks are still required on transportation in Portugal as of last week. That means the flight from Newark, the Porto Metro, Uber, etc.

Masks were NOT required in the Porto airport or on the flight from Porto to Newark.
 
Like Casserole and Friend from Barquinha said, the USA is not on the list of 20 “reciprocal” countries, but I arrived in Porto last week on a direct flight from Newark and there were two ladies checking vaccination certificates. I showed them my CDC card and they put a blue paper bracelet on my wrist. This was before going to the immigration window. I had paid $50USD for an antigen test earlier the day of my flight (to meet the 24 hour reqmt) and uploaded it to the United Airlines site, so I don’t know if the CDC card showing 2Pfizer jabs and a booster would have sufficed for United.

Coming home, it was fantastic. The Porto airport has a COVID test center smack dab in the middle of the airport in the departure level. It’s just past the big flight board and next to the Information booth. No appointment necessary. For €20 you get an antigen test with results in 30 minutes or less. I uploaded the document to United Airlines and was good to go for my return to the USA. Couldn’t have been more convenient, and was WAY less hectic than the test center I used at Madrid Airport last October. To be fair, Porto airport is nowhere near as busy as Madrid.

Masks are still required on transportation in Portugal as of last week. That means the flight from Newark, the Porto Metro, Uber, etc.

Masks were NOT required in the Porto airport or on the flight from Porto to Newark.
Thank you!!!
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
The only place that I stayed that required proof of vaccination was the albergue in Alpriate, right after Lisbon.
I am relieved to read this. I was aware that Alpriate required proof of vaccination and was worried that other albergues may also require it. Glad that is not the case.
 
The only place that I stayed that required proof of vaccination was the albergue in Alpriate, right after Lisbon.
I am relieved to read this. I was aware that Alpriate required proof of vaccination and was worried that other albergues may also require it. Glad that is not the case.
I was asked to show my vaccination certificate in a few, but not many, places in both Portugal and Spain.
 
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€83,-
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