Visitors from the majority of European Union nations are now welcomed in Portugal
Portugal has announced that it will be lifting travel restrictions for non-essential travel from most European Union (EU) countries, effective mid-August 2025. This move comes as the country is currently at a Level 1 travel advisory, exercising normal precautions, with no specific COVID-19 entry mandates reported for EU travelers.
Key points relevant to travel include:
- Free movement for travelers from EU countries under the Schengen Agreement is now permitted, with no COVID-19 vaccination or testing mandates in place as of July 2025.
- There are no quarantine or testing requirements imposed on travelers entering Portugal from within the EU.
- The Entry/Exit System (EES), a new digital border control system, is being phased in across the EU during 2025, requiring biometric registration for non-EU nationals but not affecting EU citizens traveling within the bloc.
- The upcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) fee increase scheduled for late 2026 does not impact current travel in 2025.
This means that EU nationals and residents can travel to Portugal for non-essential reasons without COVID-19 travel restrictions. However, travelers should stay updated as border or health policies could change in response to new epidemiological developments.
For travelers from outside the EU or with non-EU nationality, specific entry requirements, including ETIAS authorization and biometric checks, may apply. But within the EU, movement remains unrestricted by COVID-19 regulations at this time.
The tourism industry in Portugal is eager to welcome back visitors, particularly from the UK. João Fernandes, president of Algarve Tourism, expressed his eagerness to welcome British visitors again. In a typical year, 48.5% of Portugal's international visitors arrive at Faro airport from the UK. The absence of British visitors was noticed and missed in Portugal last summer.
To ensure the safety of both staff and customers, many tourism businesses in Portugal have signed up to the 'Clean & Safe' Campaign, committing to follow guidelines for maintaining cleanliness and implementing health and safety protocols. Tourism businesses in Portugal are operating with these protocols in place.
Sources:
- Portugal lifts COVID-19 travel restrictions for EU countries
- Portugal drops COVID-19 travel restrictions for EU countries
- Portugal's new digital border control system: Entry/Exit System (EES)
- ETIAS fee increase: What travelers need to know
- Portugal travel advice: COVID-19 entry requirements
- Tourists from European Union countries can now travel to Portugal for holiday without COVID-19 travel restrictions, as the country has lifted these restrictions as of mid-August 2025.
- As the tourism industry in Portugal eagerly awaits the return of visitors, particularly from the UK, João Fernandes, president of Algarve Tourism, expressed his eagerness to guide British visitors back to the country.
- To ensure a safe lifestyle while traveling in Portugal, many tourism businesses have signed up to the 'Clean & Safe' Campaign, committing to tour health and safety protocols, making it easier for tourists to travel and enjoy their holiday.
