Documentation for entry into Spain

[spikehcm681]

Portugal recognises the UK Vaccination Certificate

Portugal Now Recognises Vaccination & Recovery Certificates Issued by Third Countries

The Portuguese authorities have announced that vaccination and recovery certificates issued by third countries will now be recognised under reciprocal conditions, provided that certain requirements are met. According to a press release issued by the Portuguese Government, vaccination...

www.schengenvisainfo.com

Maybe Portugal isn't recognising the UK certificate? Form the Liverpool Echo yesterday :-

Portugal has made an update to its entry requirements for travellers from abroad.

The Portuguese Government is now accepting proof of vaccine from some countries outside the EU, meaning travellers from those "third" countries would not require a pre-departure test.

The update to their guidance was made on September 17, but it is unclear at this stage whether the UK is classed as a third country with the required reciprocal arrangements.

The ECHO has contacted both the Portuguese Embassy and the Foreign Office to clarify the position, with thousands of Liverpool FC fans set to travel to the country for the club's Champions League clash with Porto next week.

A previous version of this article stated UK travellers would not need a test, however the situation based on Visit Portugal's guidance published online is unclear, and we are seeking further confirmation.

Previously Portugal only accepted the EU vaccine passport - so double-jabbed tourists without that specific document still needed to complete a pre-departure test.

READ MORE: Travel update: Latest advice for France, Spain, Portugal, Turkey and USA

However, a statement released by the Portuguese Government confirmed it now recognises proof of vaccination from several other countries.

It read: “All citizens wishing to travel to Portugal by air, except children under the age of 12, must present the EU Covid Digital Certificate or vaccination or recovery certificate issued by third countries and whose validity is now recognised.”

According to SchengenVisaInfo, the vaccination certification from a third country will only be accepted as long as the traveller has received a European Medicines Agency approved vaccine.

The EMA approved vaccines include AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson.
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[spikehcm681]

We've made it to Portugal!

In case anyone else is thinking about it - here's our experience.

French Border Control in Dover took much longer than I remember. There were only about 5 cars in the queue but it took over 20 mins. Most of this time was taken up by the (English) guy on front of us - who was eventually allowed through, only to be pulled over by the British Control. We took about 3 mins (maximum) they only wanted to see out Covid Vaccination Certificates and stamp the passports.

We were chosen to be searched - very thorough but very pleasant too.

We'd already completed the DFDS pre-travel questionnaire (they alerted us twice beforehand to make sure we had) so that was over quickly.
Everyone was wearing masks on the boat and the free meal was good.

There were no checks on the French side - so we still haven't shown anyone our signed "Declaration d'honners's"

We used to Toll Motorway to get from France to Spain (near Biarritz/Irun) and we had passed the border and into Spain because there was no signs to say that we had.

Spain to Portugal was a repeat performance on the Border between Badajoz and Estremoz. So no need to show our vaccination proof - or get a test becuase the Portuguese don't recognise out documentation.

We now have 3 days to fill out and register our passenger locator card - unless we find that the campsite that we're going to on Sunday (where we'll stay for 9 weeks) does this for us.

So all in all not as stressful as we thought it might be.

And the "World-wide lorry driver shortage" didn't stop me filling up at Al Campo in Irun @ £1.04/Litre (even less if we'd shopped in the Supermercado)

P.S. the biggest shock so far is arriving to find that it was 29C!

 

[spikehcm681]

Typical - all that palava and the Portuguese Govt. waits until we get here to accept the NHS vaccination certificate.

I've just got this from out Govt.'s updating service :- (the italics and larger font size are mine)

Entering mainland Portugal​

Before you travel to mainland Portugal​

If you have an NHS COVID Pass or an EU digital COVID vaccination certificate showing you have been fully vaccinated with an EU approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before you travel, or an EU COVID recovery certificate showing you have recovered from COVID-19 no less than 11 days and no more than 180 days of when you are due to travel:

 

[Abacist]

Typical - all that palava and the Portuguese Govt. waits until we get here to accept the NHS vaccination certificate.

I've just got this from out Govt.'s updating service :- (the italics and larger font size are mine)

Entering mainland Portugal​

Before you travel to mainland Portugal​

If you have an NHS COVID Pass or an EU digital COVID vaccination certificate showing you have been fully vaccinated with an EU approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before you travel, or an EU COVID recovery certificate showing you have recovered from COVID-19 no less than 11 days and no more than 180 days of when you are due to travel:

They have no way of checking if you arrive by road as no border posts in the EU!

 

[MartynSuz]

Hi there... we are this evening in the carpark at Col D'Ispeguy smack on the border between France and Spain (Searchforsites) and there are no checks for crossing the border. Had our QR codes checked every time in France when we were eating or drinking at cafe/restaurant/bar.

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[Abacist]

Interesting! Only once asked if we had been double jabbed in Spain/Portugal on this holiday and they did not want to see proof!