Testing-free travel proposed by EU from February 1st

[spikehcm681]

Here's a link to an article in the Portugal News. But read the last paragraph of the article first!

Europe recommends test free travel

As of 1 February, travellers in possession of a valid EU digital Covid-19 certificate should not be subject to additional restrictions to free movement, such as tests or quarantining.

www.theportugalnews.com

 

[spikehcm681]

Also in today's Portugal News

Over 2,500 passengers and 41 companies fined at borders

More than 2,500 passengers were fined, between December 1 and January 23, for trying to enter Portugal through air borders without a negative test for SARS-CoV-2, the Ministry of Internal Administration said today (MAI).

www.theportugalnews.com

 

[The Wino]

I read it as being it might only apply to EU nationals. It depends if it's that or anyone able to get an EU. Covid pass

 

[spikehcm681]

I read it as being it might only apply to EU nationals. It depends if it's that or anyone able to get an EU. Covid pass

Agreed.

In the past Portugal took a while to accept the UK vaccination certificate as an EU equivalent.

The article mentions "A vaccination certificate for a vaccine approved at European level" - so let's hope the EU approves the UK certificate.

Portugal was one of the few countries not to accept the UK certificate last time so the rules might be different for UK nationals travelling to e.g. France and Spain. So, in our case we'd drive through France and Spain and then wonder if we were going to be stopped at the Border and asked to have a test.

We're allowed back in to Schengen (our 90 days will be up) in Mid March - and we're hoping it's sorted before then

 

[Emmit]

Also in today's Portugal News

Over 2,500 passengers and 41 companies fined at borders

More than 2,500 passengers were fined, between December 1 and January 23, for trying to enter Portugal through air borders without a negative test for SARS-CoV-2, the Ministry of Internal Administration said today (MAI).

www.theportugalnews.com

Saw that one about a week ago in some Schengen site. Thank you.

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[Emmit]

Agreed.

In the past Portugal took a while to accept the UK vaccination certificate as an EU equivalent.

The article mentions "A vaccination certificate for a vaccine approved at European level" - so let's hope the EU approves the UK certificate.

Portugal was one of the few countries not to accept the UK certificate last time so the rules might be different for UK nationals travelling to e.g. France and Spain. So, in our case we'd drive through France and Spain and then wonder if we were going to be stopped at the Border and asked to have a test.

We're allowed back in to Schengen (our 90 days will be up) in Mid March - and we're hoping it's sorted before then

The EU as a whole accepted the UK Vaccination Certificate along with that of 29 other countries some time ago.
However, notwithstanding that, individual countries have been able to opt out of that blanket acceptance.

 

[Emmit]

Saw that one about a week ago in some Schengen site. Thank you.

I would add, in addition to the 2500 passengers, the Portugal authorities also fined the airlines that carried them.
One has to think that if the collective brains of an airline, (and we're not talking a single plane operative here) can't understand what is required, then what hope for a septuagenarian trying to cross the border in a camper, when they can only issue a passenger location form that assumes one flew in.

 

[spikehcm681]

The EU as a whole accepted the UK Vaccination Certificate along with that of 29 other countries some time ago.
However, notwihttps://www.nhsx.nhs.uk/covid-19-response/eu-gateway/thstanding that, individual countries have been able to opt out of that blanket acceptance.

Thanks for that - confirmation here:-

 

[spikehcm681]

EU DCC (European Union Digital COVID Certificate)

NHS Transformation Directorate - transformation to improve health and care for everyone

www.nhsx.nhs.uk