jacklam349
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Portuguese coastal route
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
Erm ... your avatar says "Montenegro". Do you have a Portuguese, other EU, or US passport? Are you flying to Portugal or are you crossing the Spanish-Portuguese land border (without a border control station) when you travel to Portugal? Are you planning to camp or stay with private persons all the time? Are you already in Portugal?According to US embassy
I checked your links, and see this, but I would echo what Anniesantiago says, with the proviso that I am Canadian rather than American. I, with partner, go to Portugal on a regular basis and do not stay in a hotel or tourist accommodation. I have never done this. The immigration officer in the airport has usually asked me where I'm staying, and I say "in our own house," and they say "have a good visit" or similar, and that's it!According to US embassy begin quote <<If you are not staying in a hotel or a similar tourist accommodation, you are required to register your presence in Portugal with the Portuguese Immigration Service (SEF) within three working days of entering Portugal. You must download a declaration of entry form (declaracão de entrada) from SEF's website and personally submit it to the nearest SEF office within three business days of entry. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in an administrative offense punishable with a fine from €60 to €160. << end quote
Is there printer which one can print the form, fill it and submit in person ? Is it still required ?
It's not Covid-19 related. It is a standard requirement of the Portugal government. It just doesn't apply to everyone who comes to Portugal and not every time. Many EU countries have similar requirements. Non-residents who are on a visit often don't even know that such an obligation exists.The only thing I can think of, that this might refer to, is the online form you have to submit saying where you'll be, in case they need to track you down if there turned out to be a Covid-positive person on your inbound flight. Otherwise, the note makes no sense!
Ah-ha! The key here is the bolded headline. "By way of a border not subject to border control" -- I would assume this means if you were walking across the border from Spain, or entering by boat from the Atlantic, or similar.It's not Covid-19 related. It is a standard requirement of the Portugal government. It just doesn't apply to everyone who com:;;;;;es to Portugal and not every time. Many EU countries have similar requirements. Non-residents who are on a visit often don't even know that it exists.
ENTRY BY WAY OF A BORDER NOT SUBJECT TO BORDER CONTROL/DECLARATION OF ENTRYForeign nationals entering into Portugal by a border not subject to border control are required to declare that within 3 working days from the date of entry, with the Immigration and Borders Service, except foreign nationals who are:
- Resident or authorized to stay in the country for more than six months;
- Benefiting from the community system or equivalent;
- Lodging in a hotel establishment or equivalent.
I am US citizen/passport - 3 doses of covid19 vaccine. I read/quoted the text from the US embassy in Portugal.Erm ... your avatar says "Montenegro". Do you have a Portuguese, other EU, or US passport? Are you flying to Portugal or are you crossing the Spanish-Portuguese land border (without a border control station) when you travel to Portugal? Are you planning to camp or stay with private persons all the time? Are you already in Portugal?
Did you follow the links to Portuguese government websites that are proposed on the website of the US embassy in ... (where?) and looked at the further information provided by the Portuguese SEF (Service for Foreigners and Borders) on their own websites?
You don't have to answer any of these questions on the forum but you ought to put them to yourself.
You need to read this text in context to find out whether this text even applies to your situation.
These are two important elements. Forget about the rest.I am US citizen/passport - 3 doses of covid19 vaccine. I read/quoted the text from the US embassy in Portugal.
I will fly from Munich to Lisbon.
All three doses are received in NYC. I have the Covid-19 vaccination EXclsisor Pass Plus with QR code on my iphone.These are two important elements. Forget about the rest.
What you also need to take into account: Where did you get vaccinated, i.e. who/which country issued your vaccination certificates, especially the last one, in your case it is the booster jab. Is it an EU country? - Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, or Lichtenstein? - UK, New Zealand or Montenegro? - Australia or Canada? - USA?
OK. You do not have to fill in the SEF Portuguese Immigration form and register with the authorities within 3 days. You are a US tourist and you enter Portugal, coming from Germany. Your flight starts and ends within the EU/Schengen area. The rules of this Portuguese immigration form and registration do not apply to you. (I assume you know the rule about US tourists not being allowed to stay longer than 90 days within a 6 months period?)All three doses are received in NYC. I have the Covid-19 vaccination EXclsisor Pass Plus with QR code on my iphone.
I have walked and cycled over borders into and out of Portugal several times and never been questioned entering or leaving! Was shocked to read this. I travel on nz or Brit passports.Ah-ha! The key here is the bolded headline. "By way of a border not subject to border control" -- I would assume this means if you were walking across the border from Spain, or entering by boat from the Atlantic, or similar.
Arriving by plane from the US or otherwise is definitely by way of "a border subject to border control."
Many European countries have tightened the obligation to register. Context is fight against terrorism mainly and also irregular immigration. The Portuguese "Declaration of Entry" is mandatory for foreign citizens (third country nationals) who stay in private or accommodation units which don’t submit accommodation forms to SEF. Hotels have to submit this information. What about albergues in Portugal, do they have to do this? We know that albergues in Spain have to submit this information about pilgrims spending the night to the Guarda Civil.They're probably more worried about yachties--they can easily come from outside the EU and/or Schengen area. If you've walked in, you've probably been checked in somewhere else.
Border = land border, sea border and air border.I have walked and cycled over borders into and out of Portugal several times and never been questioned entering or leaving! Was shocked to read this. I travel on nz or Brit passports.
I got those info about registering with SEF from the US embassy in Portugal. Some one in this thread stated that I do not need to personally go to the local SEF to register. Of course, I am walking from Porto to Santiago de Compostela and staying in albergues - So I hope that the albergues will register me. If not, is that my fault ? Will I get into trouble leaving Portugal ? Booked flight to fly back to Munich from Santiago de Compostela.Many European countries have tightened the obligation to register. Context is fight against terrorism mainly and also irregular immigration. The Portuguese "Declaration of Entry" is mandatory for foreign citizens (third country nationals) who stay in private or accommodation units which don’t submit accommodation forms to SEF. Hotels have to submit this information. What about albergues in Portugal, do they have to do this? We know that albergues in Spain have to submit this information about pilgrims spending the night to the Guarda Civil.
After what has already been written about this: Does it not give you pause for thought that numerous members of this forum have walked on Camino in Portugal and travelled as tourists around in Portugal (myself included, btw) and not a single one of them has ever mentioned an obligation to register as tourists with SEF, the Portuguese Border Control Service?I got those info about registering with SEF from the US embassy in Portugal. Some one in this thread stated that I do not need to personally go to the local SEF to register. Of course, I am walking from Porto to Santiago de Compostela and staying in albergues - So I hope that the albergues will register me. If not, is that my fault ? Will I get into trouble leaving Portugal ?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?