PORTUGAL has announced it is to relax some of its tough Covid restrictions in welcome news for British tourists. Although Brits have travelled to Portugal over summer, the tourist experience has been far from normal due to Covid restrictions.
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PORTUGAL has changed its entry requirements in a move that will impact British tourists. Until recently, Portugal required everyone entering the country to have an EU digital Covid vaccination passport.
Read more here Daily Express :: Travel News Feed
BRITISH expats are increasingly choosing Portugal as their dream destination to settle in. One of the reasons the Mediterranean country is so popular with expats is because of its enticing Golden Visa scheme.
Read more here Daily Express :: Travel News Feed
Portugal has imposed new quarantine restrictions on UK arrivals amid growing concerns over the spread of the Delta variant. Travellers from the UK who have not yet been fully vaccinated will be subject to 14 days of mandatory quarantine when arriving in the country.
The new rule, which comes into force today, will see UK arrivals having to prove they have had two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine.
It is thought the quarantine requirement will remain in place until at least July 11.
According to the Portuguese authorities, the self-isolation period may be undertaken “at home or a place indicated by health authorities”.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updates its travel advice page for Britons warning of the new rule change.
READ MORE: Greece slams EU travel ban on Britons
So far, Madeira has not said it will impose a similar rule.
However, travellers jetting off to the country will still be expected to show evidence of a negative COVID-19 test.
The FCDO states: “With the exception of children up to, and including, the age of 12, all travellers to Madeira and Porto Santo must complete and submit a traveller questionnaire.
“If you are travelling with a child aged 12 or under, include their details in your questionnaire.”
Travellers must also “take a RT-PCR test 72 hours before travel and upload the test result to the traveller questionnaire.
“You may not need a RT-PCR test if you are able to demonstrate your COVID-19 vaccination status.”
Those who arrive in Madeira without proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test “will have to take a test on arrival and remain in government-provided accommodation until the results are known.”
However, the testing requirement does not apply to those who can provide they have had both doses of the vaccine at least 15 days prior to travel.
“If you live in England, the authorities in Madeira and Porto Santo will accept your NHS COVID Pass as evidence of your COVID-19 vaccination status,” explains the FCDO.
“If you live in Scotland or Wales, the authorities will accept your respective NHS certificate to demonstrate your COVID-19 vaccination status.
“Your NHS appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.”
Though mainland Portugal has not yet confirmed the form of evidence required for entry, it is likely the NHS COVID pass will be accepted.
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Cristiano Ronaldo has drawn level with Iran’s Ali Daei for the most international goals in the history of world football. Ronaldo scored his 109th goal for Portugal on Wednesday night, the 36-year-old netting a brace of penalties in his country’s final Euro 2020 group stage match against France in Budapest, Hungary.
After Danilo had been caught by Hugo Lloris’ attempt to punch the ball clear at a free-kick, Ronaldo stepped up to send the Tottenham goalkeeper the wrong way from 12 yards and make it 1-0 on half-an-hour.
His former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema scored twice, including a spot-kick of his own, either side of half-time to put the world champions in front at the Puskas Arena.
But Ronaldo was given the chance to drawl Portugal level again on the hour mark following a Jules Kounde handball inside the area.
And he did just that, finding the back of the net for his 109th goal for Portugal and his 755th career strike for club and country.
That saw him move level with Iranian icon Daei, who managed his incredible 109-goal return return between 1993 and 2006 inside just 149 appearances for his nation.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, is on five goals in three games alone at Euro 2020 after his double against France.
His brace moves him comfortably clear of Patrik Schick, Emil Forsberg, Romelu Lukaku, Gini Wijnaldum and Robert Lewandowski, who are all tied on three goals.
Ronaldo scored twice in a 3-0 defeat of Hungary and again in a 4-2 defeat to Germany.
Thanks to his France double, Juventus centre-forward Ronaldo is now the European all-time top goalscorer at major tournaments with 21 goals, surpassing Germany legend Miroslav Klose.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid attacker has scored at more World Cups and European Championships than the entire country of Poland since he was born, such is his prolific record.
Ronaldo’s 109 goals have come in 177 caps, having made his debut for his country in August 2003 aged 18.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will hope to add to his record in the knockout stages of the Euros with Portugal going through third in Group F.
That sets them up against Belgium, while France will play Switzerland and Germany will take on England.
Ronaldo’s tally of five goals in the group stages is the second most ever scored by a single player at this stage of the tournament.
Michel Platini’s tally of seven, in 1984, was the only time in the history of the Euros that one player has scored more in the groups.
Ronaldo already broke records earlier at Euro 2020 in the win over Hungary as he became the first player ever to score at five different European Championships.
His 10th and 11th Euros goals against the Hungarians made him the all-time leading scorer in the competition’s history, although he has since extended that tally to 14.
At club level, meanwhile, Ronaldo could again be on the move this summer with it rumoured United could look to re-sign him. Barcelona and PSG are other clubs linked.
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Raheem Sterling fired England to the top of Group D at Euro 2020 – and into the unknown. The 1-0 win against Czech Republic leaves England with a nervous wait to see who finishes second in Group F. Depending on results between France and Portugal, and Germany against Hungary, any of the four could be England’s opponents at Wembley on Tuesday.
However, Sterling, who netted his second goal of the tournament, is very much of the mind: “Bring it on!”
He said: “At some point you have to face the best teams. It is about challenging yourselves. The most important thing was to win the group.
“It’s tournament football, it’s very different to being at your clubs. We just need to get to see games out a little bit better. We’re making good progress and now it’s time for a big challenge.”
Bukayo Saka was named man-of-the-match and Sterling feels the Arsenal winger can get England buzzing in the knockout stages.
“I thought Bukayo Saka was brilliant,” he said. “He got in the pockets of space, drove at people and was direct.
“He’s tough, he’s funny, he gets on with everyone in the dressing room – I’m buzzing for him.”
The game saw Jordan Henderson and Harry Maguire in action for the first time and Gareth Southgate admitted he would need his full squad firing if England are to go much further.
“These will be different games,” he said. “World champions, European champions or Germany who are back on song.
“Whoever we play will be tough opposition but we have known the route through for 18 months. But the good thing is that we are still improving – there is more to come from us.
“We said to the players before the game that the pressure was off, we had qualified but there was still something to achieve by winning th Group which was always our target.
“First or second, there was no way of knowing what is the better route and there’s no way of knowing who we will face next but you have to take control of what you can achieve and we wanted to stay at Wembley.
Southgate added: “The coronavirus situation is not helpful for us as a team, but devastating for the two boys.
“They are in a major championship and have had to miss out on a big part of it in this way. It feels incredibly harsh.
“We have been incredibly vigilant throughout and what has happened with the two boys has been an anomaly.
“We have had to speak to the players again to remind them but frankly we have not come unstuck in the past and how we have come unstuck and others haven’t is beyond comprehension.
“Just because there is some evidence of ours, but the situation with others has been a higher risk in terms of passing the virus on.”
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According to lastminute.com, there are still a lot of low cost holidays on the continent in green and amber list countries.
Holidays at four star hotels are going for a little as £187 per person – including flights and hotel for five nights in Majorca.
A holiday in Crete East, staying in a four star hotel for five nights would set you back £219 – including a direct flight from London.
A holiday on the Amalfi coast at the end of June would cost an incredibly cheap £256 – including a direct flight, and a stay of four nights in a four star hotel.
Elsewhere, you can get seven nights in a three star hotel in Dassia, Corfu, for only £212 – and again, that includes a direct flight from London.
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Expats looking to relocate into the sunshine have long packed their bags and departed the UK for Spain. While its Iberian neighbour Portugal is also a favourite for expats, since Brexit some experts have pointed to it being a better alternative due to new visa processes and the “cost of living”.
Experts from AB Property Marketing have compared the cost of property and lifestyle in both nations and concluded Portugal comes out on top for savings.
“Numbeo reports that Portugal’s cost of living is lower than that of Spain, which in turn is lower than that of the UK,” explains a spokesperson for AB Property Marketing.
“The Post Office Holiday Costs Barometer 2021, meanwhile, reports that Portugal’s Algarve is cheaper to visit than Spain’s Costa del Sol.
“And with property priced at €1,185 per square metre, Portugal’s homes are also cheaper than pretty much all of western Europe.”
READ MORE: When is the next travel review? 12 potential green list countries
While both nations offer sunshine and a toasty climate, the experts point out there are a few subtle differences between the “lifestyle” offering in each.
“For those who like to treat themselves while on holiday, Spain is the place to be,” explains the expert.
“From designer clothes to yachts, the country’s southern shores are awash with high-end goods and upscale beach clubs – far more so than that Algarve, which tends to deliver luxury in a rather more laid-back fashion.”
Marc Pritchard, sales and marketing director of Taylor Wimpey España added: “Spain has long been a favourite destination for British holidaymakers and second-home buyers. Its vibrant towns, superb gastronomy and cosmopolitan atmosphere are ideally suited to relaxation and enjoyment.”
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Despite this, the lifestyle Portugal can offer is described as “enviable”.
AB Property said: “Portugal delivers an enviable lifestyle, particularly in the sun-kissed Algarve, with its stunning coastline, world-class golf and marine sporting facilities and its picturesque towns and villages packed with independent restaurants and cafés serving up the delicious local cuisine.”
Prior to Brexit, Britons could move to either nation with ease thanks to the freedom of movement offered under European Union (EU) membership.
However, since January 1, 2021, new post-Brexit rules means Britons must apply for visas when moving to either nation.
“You have to demonstrate an income of €33,893 (approximately £29,388) a year for a couple and €47,451 (£41,144) for a family of four.
“This requirement will rule out the option of retiring to Spain for many.
“Those who are retiring on a basic UK State pension, £9,339 in 2021, will not qualify.”
Expat Network continued: “Portugal has a similar visa to Spain’s NLV, the Passive Income Visa, which has a significantly lower annual income requirement – €11,970 (approximately £10,379) for a couple and €16,658 (approximately £14,444) for a family of four).
“The visa also does not restrict you from working or setting up a business as the Spanish NLV does.”
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Portugal has previously been cited by experts as a better alternative to Spain for those eyeing a move abroad post-Brexit thanks to its simpler visa requirements. However, there are still plenty of rules which expats will need to meet in order to be granted long-term entry to the country.
“Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.
“To stay longer, to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons, you will need to meet the Portuguese government’s entry requirements.”
According to the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF), expats can attempt to gain residency via a work visa, a study visa or pursuing an application for a residence title.
In order to gain residence without an offer of employment, Britons will need to prove an annual income amount or “evidence of sufficient means of subsistence”.
However, this amount is significantly lower than the sum asked for by Spain, something which the ExpatNetwork says makes Portugal a favourable alternative.
A spokesperson for the ExpatNetwork explained: “Portugal has a similar visa to Spain’s NLV, the Passive Income Visa, which has a significantly lower annual income requirement – €11,970 (approximately £10,379) for a couple and €16,658 (approximately £14,444) for a family of four).
“The visa also does not restrict you from working or setting up a business as the Spanish NLV does.”
There are also a number of documents to be submitted, and subsequent checks will be carried out by authorities.
For those travelling to Portugal who already have residency, they must be able to prove this to border controls.
“There are separate requirements for those who are resident in Portugal,” states the FCDO.
“If you are resident in Portugal, you should carry proof of residence as well as your valid passport when you travel.”
For those who were already living in Portugal before Brexit came into force on January 1, their EU resident document must be exchanged for a new “biometric card”.
The FCDO explains: “Your EU residence document will continue to be accepted until the new one arrives or until the end of its validity.”
Those who have not yet registered for residency, but have been living in Portugal for some years must do so as soon as possible.
“If you have been living in Portugal before 1 January 2021 and have not yet registered, email [email protected], to request registration,” continues the FCDO.
“You must include a scanned copy or photo of your passport, proof of address and proof you were living in Portugal before January 2021.”
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Portugal’s main airport Faro has been a scene of chaos and crowding in recent days and Britons desperately try to obtain testing and flights to get home before Tuesday’s quarantine rule comes into force. However, the stress has become so much for some travellers they have slammed the Government for making their lives “a misery”.
Though the Government had said it would try and give some warning for passengers if a nation was to go onto the “green watch list”, the Prime Minister added that he would “not hesitate” to make sudden changes if necessary.
Alan Richards, currently on holiday in Portugal with his family, slammed this rapid change from green to amber.
“Thanks very much for making my life a misery and making what should have been a holiday for the family and a long-awaited one,” he told BBC News.
“Yes, we do accept that things change, but you need to give people time to get home.
READ MORE: When is the next travel review? 12 potential green list countries
“This four or five days or whatever it was has not been enough time for tens of thousands of people who, by the way, followed his guidance and went to a green listed country.”
Similarly, Craig Stanley, who had jetted off on a re-arranged holiday with his wife, said the nation’s green list status meant they were unable to rebook their travel plans for a later date.
“We’re very frustrated obviously because this already was a holiday we had planned last year but we rearranged for this year,” he said.
“Because Portugal was on the green list we had to go, we couldn’t rearrange it.
“So we thought we were good to go. The Government promised to give notification of seven days.
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“We were only coming for a week so we thought everything would be fine. Then on the second day we were here they moved the goalposts and suddenly there is a mass panic trying to find a flight and get tests and all the other things.
“We have just run out of time and flights and everything so we are very frustrated.“
In the race to return home, some travellers have reported being turned away from flights, despite having acquired all of the UK’s requested paperwork and having provided evidence of negative COVID-19 tests.
Mick Hurley from Manchester said: “We arrived to board our flight from Porto to Manchester.
“We had our tickets checked a couple of times and our information, our documents that we were required to bring along with us.
“When we were just about to board our flight, our final check the Ryanair staff said we did not have the right test information for our Covid status.
“They disembarked us and popped us out the other side of the airport and left us to it. We’ve spent the rest of the day with this queue behind us queuing for another type of Covid test.”
Holidaymakers have spoken out about overcrowding at airports, with more than 100,000 Britons expected to be in Portugal currently.
According to data from mobility research business Huq Industries, between May 17 – when Portugal became a green list country -until May 31, a total of 221,064 Britons travelled out to the country.
As of May 31, the number of Brits who had travelled back from Portugal stood at 108,887. That leaves the 112,177 currently stuck there.
Anastasia Odegov, who had been on a family holiday with her parents and younger brother, explained: “My brother has school as we managed to put him on a flight earlier but it was also quite stressful. My mum gets quite stressed because of her travelling by herself with my brother.
“She sent us a photo and there was such a huge line all until the entrance of the airport.
“Instead of the two hours that you usually go, it would be three and a half or four hours. Instead of a family holiday is now just me and my dad here.”
Upon the latest traffic light announcement, Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps defended the swift move as a “safety first” decision.
Mr Shapps told BBC News: “I want to be straight with people, it’s actually a difficult decision to make, but in the end, we’ve seen two things really which have caused concern.
“One is that the positivity rate has nearly doubled since the last review in Portugal, and the other is that there’s a Nepal mutation of the so-called Indian variants which has been detected.”
He continued: “We just don’t know the potential for that to be a vaccine defeating mutation and simply don’t want to take the risk, as we come up to June 21.”
In a statement, he added: “The public has always known travel will be different this year and we must continue to take a cautious approach to reopening international travel in a way that protects public health and the vaccine rollout.”
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This post originally appeared on Daily Express :: Travel Feed
