Madeira No Longer Applies COVID-19 Entry Restrictions for Incoming Travellers

“There are no restrictions on the entry of travellers at the airports, ports and marinas of the Autonomous Region of Madeira,” the statement of Madeira Regional Tourism Board reads.

This means that all travellers, regardless of their country of origin, can enter the Autonomous Region of Madeira without having to provide a valid vaccination, recovery, or test certificate upon their arrival, AtoZSerwisPlus.pt reports.

However, the authorities have noted that everyone is still recommended to register their entry before arrival.

“All passengers are recommended to complete the epidemiological survey of the Regional Health Authority on the Madeira Safe digital platform,” the authorities added.

Even though Madeira has abolished its entry rules, the region still continues to keep in place general COVID-19 measures.

The official travel website of Madeira explains that the use of face masks continues to remain mandatory in open and enclosed areas. Such a requirement applies to everyone over the age of six.

In addition, everyone is still required to present a vaccination or recovery certificate when accessing bars, restaurants, nightclubs, gyms, theatres, and other events.

The authorities have noted that unvaccinated and unrecovered persons can also access these places by presenting a negative rapid antigen test result.

Rapid antigen tests remain valid for seven days when in Madeira. This means that travellers who have not been vaccinated or recovered from the virus do not need to undergo testing several times a week in order to be allowed entry into different public places and events.

Differently from Madeira, mainland Portugal continues to keep in place COVID-19 entry rules. Those who wish to travel from Madeira and Porto Santo to Portugal should be prepared to be subject to measures.

According to Portugal’s official travel website, Visit Portugal, travellers who are permitted entry to the country for non-essential purposes need to present a valid vaccination or recovery certificate or a negative test result that was taken recently.

Portugal accepts only vaccination certificates proving that the holder has completed primary vaccination with one of the recognised vaccine doses within the last 270. Those who have received a booster shot can also enter the country.

Recovery certificates are also accepted as long as the holder has recovered from the virus within the last 180 days. As for the negative COVID-19 test, the Portuguese authorities explain that PCR tests must be taken within 72 hours, and the rapid antigen test must be taken within 24 hours before arrival in order to be recognised.