Entry Requirements - Canada to Portugal - Any insights?
 

There seem to be many inconsistencies posted regarding non-essential travel from Canada to Portugal, and apparently very recent rule changes made earlier this month. I have spoken with Air Canada and TAP, however they also are not 100% clear on the requirements. I wanted to travel from Canada to Portugal this month and wanted to know what a fully vaccinated (and boosted) person over 18 needs to gain entry for non-essential purposes. I was also trying to obtain a EU Digital Covid Certificate, but it seems unclear Portugal issues these for vaccinated people from Canada.
Does anyone have any further guidance? One alternative I was considering was flying to Madrid and driving into Portugal, but it is not clear if there are any issues with this approach.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Unfortunately, the current situation for Canada is clear as mud. It was recently dropped from the Safe countries list on the VisitPortugal website. While US citizens are allowed to enter provided they have a negative test (as specified by the Visit Portugal site), it’s not at all clear whether or not Canadians will be allowed to enter. Hopefully, there will be some clarity soon.

And no, you would not be able to get an EU digital health certificate in Portugal.

Tripadvisor has a good thread on this very topic:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi..._Portugal.html

I would contact the consulate as you’re hoping to be travel soon, but keep an eye on this page to see if there are any changes and Canada is added to the list again:
https://www.visitportugal.com/en/con...ented-portugal

It's also clear as mud for Americans. You need a test to enter, but what about after that? We're unable to get an EU Digital COVID certificate and our hotels have told us we will need one (we had one, but it has since expired). The US is not on Portugal's list of reciprocal countries list. I've reached out to a pharmacy in Portugal and they are unable to help us get the certificate, even with proof of three vaccinations.

So, our options seem to be test every day or so, or take a chance that we can get into restaurants and other venues. It's looking like we might have to cancel our upcoming trip for the third time.

Thank you for the info! Very much appreciated. I may end up travelling to Spain and then driving over.

James

And just when we were reconsidering our trip...here's comes the reality check. I can figure out hotels and restaurants, plenty to chose from, and some accept the CDC cards. But venues??? Without an official note that states the CDC cards are accepted in Portugal I would not risk it. I just checked the flights for our dates in March and April, they are mostly empty, so I'm waiting to get closer to our dates, and if I have to, I'll reschedule (again). Like you Mel, for the 3rd time.

xyz99,
This is just a copy of what I posted on another Portugal thread re venues--

For those with an upcoming trip to Portugal who are wondering about access to museums, monuments:
I've emailed several museums, monuments that I plant to visit in March and have received responses that vaccination certificates are not required for entrance.
This is one response of many that arrived in my inbox this morning:

"Dear Maribel,
Thank you for your contact and interest in visiting Porto
Regarding your request, we inform you that, there's no need to present a vaccination passport to visit museums and monuments.
The only touristic attraction where you need to present it is in the Port Wine Cellars.
You'll only need to present your vaccination passport in accommodation and restaurants. In that case, the US vaccination passport is valid.
If you need any further assistance from us, do not hesitate to contact.
Kind regards,
Gonçalo Castro"

Same response from Museu Medeiro Almeda, Museo Berardo, Museu Nacional de Coches, all in Lisbon, and the monuments run by Parques de Sintra plus Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra.

The only venues requiring vaccination certificates are performance venues, such as Lisbon's Centro Cultural de Belém & Porto's Casa da Musica, who sent the following response:

"Dear Maribel,
In order to attend the performance you will need to show your CDC vaccination card along with your Passport, or any other document that attests your identity.
Best regards,
Sérgio Leite
Bilheteira / Box Office
Casa da Música"

Our booked hotels and restaurants have also given us written assurance that our CDC cards will be sufficient.

Hope this helps.
I was bored yesterday with nothing to do but send these emails (except for housework, of course!)https://www.fodors.com/community/ima...ted/smiley.gif

Thank you for sharing that. I can confirm that my friend who now lives in Lisbon (as of last fall), only uses his Canadian vax digital record and he has not been denied getting into any restaurants or bars. So it would seem international vax records are acceptable in many places. I head to Portugal (via Spain) on the 25th, so will have further insight then. Happy travels!

We're also headed to Portugal via Spain soon. Have a great trip!

Thanks again, Maribel. This is the 3rd time we're trying to get to Portugal, but it seems this time we might actually get there. Fingers crossed for all of us.

More changes are coming in Canada at the start of March. In Ontario, proof of vaccination is being relaxed. On my trip last fall, both Portugal and Canada required submission of a residence tracking form on-line. The Portuguese form was fairly easy; the form to return to Canada was muddled. It asked for a photo which I could not attach. Nobody looked at it at Pearson immigration anyhow. Most or all of this may be out of date now or soon.
On the ground in Portugal, vaccine documents were carefully checked by my hotel and all restaurants and cafes. I printed out and laminated my provincial vax record which was easier than coaxing a cellphone to reveal its secrets

jamescarter - Canada is back on the list so you can now fly directly to Portugal if you choose!

Thank you for the update! I See that now on the Visit Portugal website.

I am not sure what happened over the last 2 weeks for Canada to be removed and then added back, but glad to see it is open again! I am already booked through Madrid, so will get to tour the countryside by car - over to Lisbon, up to Porto and back out of Madrid. Looking to stop in Avila, Segovia, and Salamanca on the way over - not sure how long I need in each. If anyone has any tips, would be greatly appreciated! Many thanks!

James