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Portugal Is Now Open to US Travelers

News
by Olivia Harden Jun 16, 2021

Portugal has become another destination you can check off your must-see list as the nation is now open to US travelers.

Currently, there are no vaccination requirements for US travelers to travel to Portugal. Travelers over two years old must simply submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Only tests carried in labs will be accepted. A nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), such as a PCR test, performed in the last 72 hours or a rapid antigen test (TRAg), performed within 24 hours of boarding will be needed for all US travelers wanting to visit Portugal at the moment, the US Embassy and Consulate in Portugal reported.

The Azores and Madeira, two autonomous regions of Portugal, currently have their own requirements for US travelers to visit. Visit the website of the US Embassy and Consulate in Portugal before you travel to those destinations for more information.

The current requirements for US travelers to visit Portugal will be reviewed every two weeks, so expect possible changes.

Portugal’s decision comes after statistics showed its tourism sector is suffering. Tourism accounted for 15 percent of the country’s gross domestic product in 2019, and the number of tourists to the nation reached a record high that year. However, in 2020, tourism numbers fell 76 percent. About 1.2 million US tourists went to Portugal in 2019, but in 2020, only 135,229 made the trip, according to Reuters.

A version of this article was previously published on June 9, 2021, and was updated on June 16, 2021, with more information.

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