New air traffic rules for Portugal starting From August 1 – what you need to know

The Portuguese government has announced new air traffic rules starting from August 1. According to an announcement published on the Portuguese Government website, air traffic continues to remain open with countries in the European Union and the Schengen Area as well as the United Kingdom.

In addition, the number of non-EU countries permitted to enter Portugal starting from August 1 has doubled.

As per the new rules, regular flights will be resumed with the following twelve countries outside the EU:

-Australia

-Canada

-China

-South Korea

-Georgia

-Japan

-Morocco

-New Zealand

-Rwanda

-Thailand

-Tunisia

-Uruguay

All other countries can only enter Portugal for essential purposes, such as working, studying, family reunion or health and humanitarian reasons. Previously, the possibility of essential travel was only extended to nationals from Portuguese-speaking countries and the USA.

Passport holders of the countries listed above, entering Portugal, will be required to have a negative COVID-19 test, which has been taken within the last 72 hours. The only exception to this requirement is travellers in transit, who will not depart the airport premises.

Nationals and foreigners with legal residence in Portugal and also diplomatic personnel accredited in Portugal who do not present a valid COVID-19 test upon arrival will have to take one at the airport at their own expense. If they refuse to take a test, they will be charged with “crimes of disobedience and the spread of a contagious disease”.

In July, it was announced by officials that travellers who disembark in Portugal without a valid COVID-19 test will face fines between €500 and €2,000 whereas airlines transporting passengers without a test risk a fine of up to €3,000.

These rules will be valid until August 15, after which they will be re-evaluated. The Portugal government changes the entry restrictions on a bi-weekly base, resuming air traffic with countries who have “a positive epidemiological picture”. The list is based on the recommendations of the Council of the European Union.

Moreover, the EU Council recently updated the list of “epidemiologically safe” non-EU countries, removing Algeria, Montenegro, and Serbia.