Can I travel to Portugal for my summer holiday? Latest travel advice

PORTUGAL has been excluded from the travel corridor list due for failing to get coronavirus cases under control.

While Portugal has managed to keep coronavirus cases lower than its neighbour Spain anyone arriving from Portugal, including Madeira and the Azores, will have to quarantine.

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Portugal has 50,613 confirmed cases with 1,727 deaths – significantly lower than neighbouring countries and the UK.

Here is everything you need to know about travelling to Portugal this year.

Can I go to Portugal for my summer holiday this year?

In short, no.

The Foreign Office has strongly advised against all but essential travel to Portugal.

Anyone arriving in Portugal will have to take a coronavirus test. You will also have to self-isolate for 14 days on your return to the UK.

Lisbon previously announced it is "open for business" and said it would start accepting international visitors again in early June.

The second wave seems to be declining since July 11, when it peaked at 542, but booking a holiday for August is still a risk.

Will I need to quarantine for 14 days?

Tourists will not have to quarantine when entering the Portugal but will on their return to the UK.

Madeira and the Azores will only allow visitors who have tested negative for coronavirus within the last 72 hours.

However that may be subject to change as the country appears to have got a grip on a spike in Lisbon.

Why is Portugal not an air bridge country?

Portugal has again been left off England's holiday quarantine-free list, dashing the hopes of those keen for a sunshine break in the popular tourist destination.

It is understood the government's decision not to include Portugal on the list was down to a spike in coronavirus cases in the capital Lisbon.

It comes despite widespread reports that the government would reverse its snubbing of Portugal after intense lobbying from Portuguese officials.

But on July 25 the Times reported that Westminster has "risked a deepening row with Portugal" after continuing to exclude it from its latest updated list.

The country's foreign minister said the UK government's decision not to include Portugal in the latest updated was "absurd", while travel experts have warned the choice could "destroy confidence" in the tourism industry.

Are there flights from the UK to Portugal?

Most airlines are currently operating a reduced flight schedule to Portugal which is expected to pick up once the travel corridor opens.

There are plenty of cheap deals to be had in the build up to the end of the ban too.

However, Jet2 issued a recent statement saying it will not be flying to mainland Portugal or Faro (Algarve) from the UK up to and including August 17.

Are restaurants and hotels open in Portugal?

More than a third of hotels in the Algarve opened their doors as far back as June, with 75 per cent expected to be open by now along with beaches.

Restaurants and cafes are also open, but with strict social distancing guidelines.

Cinemas and theatres are to opened on June 1.

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