Portugal Now Allows Non-Essential Travel From Canada

The news was announced by the Embassy of Canada to Portugal, which said that Portugal had lifted its previous restrictions that were applied against arrivals from Canada, AtoZSerwisplus.pt reports.

“Update: The Government of Portugal has lifted its earlier restrictions and is once again allowing non-essential travel from Canada to Portugal,” the Embassy of Canada to Portugal wrote on its official Facebook account.

Based on the current entry rules that Portugal has, all travellers who are permitted entry to the country need to present an EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate or another equivalent vaccination or recovery certificate that is recognised under reciprocal conditions.

Portugal has a list of third countries whose certificates are recognised under reciprocal conditions, but Canada is not part of it.

This suggests that even though the non-essential travel ban for travellers from Canada has been removed, they still need to present a PCR test performed within 72 hours or a rapid antigen test performed within 24 hours before reaching Portugal.

“It is mandatory to present the EU COVID Digital Certificate. Citizens who are not holders of the Digital Covid EU certificate in vaccination, test, or recovery modalities, will have to present proof of a negative RT-PCR test (TAAN), performed in the last 72 hours, or rapid antigen test (TRAg), performed in the last 24h,” the statement of Portugal’s official travel portal, Visit Portugal, reads.

Still, despite such a statement, travellers from Canada are dealing with confusion since the Portuguese authorities have not given a definite answer whether they need to undergo testing even if they have been fully vaccinated or have received an additional vaccine dose.

“As it stands right now, with my wife and I both triple vaxxed and unless/until the situation deteriorates dramatically, I’m finally confident that our scheduled trip (about four weeks from now) is a go. But unless I see a flat out statement that a PCR test is NOT required, I’m going to schedule a test for us two days prior to departure,” a national of Canada wrote on the ‘feedback from users’ section on Visit Portugal webpage.

However, based on a statement made by the Portuguese authorities, which says that vaccination passes issued by third countries are recognised only under reciprocal conditions, it can be inferred that passes issued in Canada are not considered valid when reaching Portugal even if the holder has received a vaccine dose that is accepted in Portugal.

Authorities are yet to make an official announcement regarding the matter.

On the other hand, once in Portugal, travellers are not subject to any COVID-19 restrictions when attending bars, restaurants, clubs, and other events. The requirement to wear a face mask remains valid only when in closed spaces.

>> Portugal to Lift Most of Its COVID-19 Restrictions