Portugal Has Fined Over 3,000 Passengers & Tens of Airlines for Failing to Meet COVID-19 Entry Rules

The Prime Minister of Portugal, Antonio Costa, announced earlier last year that since December 1, all travellers who wish to enter Portugal’s territory, especially those from highly affected areas would have to get tested for the virus.

The authorities required that all foreigners undergo a rapid antigen within 48 hours or a PCR test within 72 hours before entry while highlighting that the testing process must be completed in laboratory conditions.

However, not everyone met this entry rule. The data from MIA shows that from December 1 until February 6, the authorities fined more than 3,200 incoming travellers who failed to present a negative test result upon their entry, AtoZSerwisPlus.pt reports.

During the same period, the authorities also fined 41 air travel companies for carrying passengers who did not meet the country’s entry rules.

To make sure that everyone was following the entry requirement when reaching Portugal, MIA revealed that more than 1,191,100 passengers and over 2,500 airlines were inspected by the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) and the Public Security Police (PSP) from December until early February.

During these checks, the responsible authorities were able to detect a total of 3,273 offences.

It has been explained that passengers who failed to meet the testing required received a fine between €300 and €800, whereas the airlines who carried passengers without a valid negative COVID-19 test result were fined between €20,000 and €40,000 per each traveller.

The pre-entry testing requirement when travelling to Portugal has been applied to all persons over the age of 12.

The Portuguese authorities confirmed earlier this month that the country would lift the requirement to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken before arrival. The government said that pre-entry tests would no longer be required for travellers who hold a valid COVID-19 Digital Certificate or any other equivalent document that the country recognises for travel.

The decision to remove the testing requirement follows the recommendation of the EU Commission to create a coordinated approach to make the travel process easier for those who have already completed their vaccination status as well for those who have received an additional vaccine dose.

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