Portugal holidays: Entry requirements, passport validity, Covid vaccine and booster rules explained

It's almost the school summer holidays and many of us are counting down the days until we can relax on a sun lounger next to the pool with a pint or a cocktail. One of the most popular destinations for British family holidays is Portugal, with the Algarve region particularly popular with beach-lovers and families with children.

Travelling to Portugal is simple: flights from the UK only usually take two to three hours and there aren't many restrictions limiting who can enter the country either. According to the UK Foreign Office, a "passenger locator form" is no longer required for UK residents travelling into mainland Portugal and the Azores, though it's recommended that people travelling to Madeira or Porto Santo have one each.

Portugal does expect travellers to be fully-vaccinated, however. If you're fully vaccinated, you can enter mainland Portugal and the Azores without needing to take a Covid test - providing you meet certain criteria - but you will be asked to provide your vaccination certificate.

If you're not fully vaccinated, you need to show proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before boarding, a rapid lateral flow test taken no more than 24 hours before boarding or valid evidence of recent recovery from Covid-19. Tests must be carried out by a trained medical professional, self-administered tests are not accepted by the Portuguese authorities.

Read more: Spain entry requirements, vaccine and boosters, passport validity and new drinking rules explained

Here is the latest advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on travelling to Portugal. All information was correct at the time of publication, but it's always worth checking the latest updates before you travel.

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