Portugal is one of the best destinations in the world for finding a cheap flight these days. And lucky for you, it just got much easier to get in.
As of July 1, Americans (and other travelers) heading to Portugal no longer need to provide a negative COVID-19 test nor proof of vaccination for entry. No testing. No proof of vaccination. Just you and your passport. That's what you need to get to Portugal.
It's part of a worldwide trend we've seen play out over the last several months, as many countries in Europe and across the globe have steadily dropped COVID-19 entry restrictions. But it's particularly important for Portugal, an increasingly popular country whose previous requirements to provide proof of vaccination via QR code all but required Americans to get a negative test just 72 hours before flying overseas.
If you've been reading Thrifty Traveler over the last couple of years, you know we loooove Portugal. We've probably even bordered on being heavy-handed in our endorsement of the beautiful, accessible, and inexpensive Western European country. Portugal doesn't pay us a penny to say these nice things, and honestly, Portugal never needed our help in the first place.
If you're wondering why we love Portugal so much, here are just a few reasons:
- We were just there in January, and it was the same classic, untouched, European vibe we remembered.
- It's really cheap to fly to Portugal, and we keep finding more flight deals there every month.
- Portugal is home to budget-friendly airline TAP, which has comfy (and cheap) economy and business class seats.
- Portugal is unbelievably cheap and is one of the best places to stretch your dollar right now.
- The country is home to the world class cities of Lisbon and Porto.
- Pasteis de nata … the custard tart treat you never know you needed.
And now, as if that list wasn't enticing enough, all entry restrictions to Portugal have disappeared.
Portugal Entry Restrictions for Americans
Gone!
As of July 1, Americans are no longer required to to provide a negative COVID-19 test, a certificate of vaccination, or a certificate of recovery to enter Portugal at any airport, land border, or seaport.
Prior to July, Americans were required to show a negative COVID-19 test taken with 72 hours of travel, as Portugal's proof of vaccination requirement did not allow for U.S. QR codes. Those hoops, through which Americans jumped for months, are kaput.
Read next: A country-by-country guide to international travel restrictions
What's more, the U.S. requirement to get a test before flying back home has ended, too. That makes a trip to Portugal much like it was back in 2019!
What's it Like in Portugal Right Now?
In Portugal, everything is open again.
Restaurants, bars, discos, are all open and operating at full capacity, meaning the cities of Lisbon and Porto are as lively as ever.
There are no curfews or otherwise restrictions, either.
On public transportation, you're still required to wear a mask, but that's a minuscule inconvenience for the very short boat, train, and bus rides you'll find within the cities and between them.
In Portugal, your vacation will feel much like it did before COVID-19 existed, with almost no restrictions to daily life still in place. Like in the U.S., businesses can set their own ground rules if they please, so I'd recommend throwing a mask in your back pocket. But two years after the pandemic began, Portugal is more or less back to normal.
Bottom Line
As of July 1, Portugal no longer has any entry restrictions for U.S. travelers, meaning a trip to one of our favorite, thriftiest European countries no longer requires a COVID-19 test in either direction.
It's a huge boon for U.S. travelers who are looking for an iconic destination where you can stretch your dollar further in 2022 or 2023. There's so much to see and do in Portugal, and now it's much, much easier to get there, too.
We fly TAP on 14 JUL LHR-LIS and are thrilled the testing mandate was dropped. On 30 JUN I almost prepaid my £39 per person testing fee at the Covid clinic near Paddington Station. Now I can spend that money in Portugal.