Portugal is to allow British visitors to enter the country from Monday (17 May) as the ban on international holidays from the UK is finally lifted.
The country is one of only 12 to feature on the government’s new ‘green list” as part of its reopening of international travel on Monday.
Portugal’s minister of state for foreign affairs said British tourists would be allowed to enter the country from 00.00 on 17 May, giving the go-ahead for holidays from the UK to resume to the key European destination.
All visitors to Portugal will have to take a PCR Covid test within 72 hours of departure.
The decision to allow UK visitors from Monday revokes Portugal’s essential travel restrictions which will end on Sunday (16 May).
The Portuguese National Tourist Office has also been working to ensure that "testing capacity in Portugal will meet the demand from tourists", as well as expanding the Clean & Safe seal for tourism businesses.
“People from the United Kingdom have visited Portugal and celebrated our culture, traditions, landmarks, history, and enjoyed our warm hospitality for decades. We look forward to welcome all travellers coming from the UK,” said the tourist office.
EasyJet holidays will be operating its first overseas holidays since December 2020 on Monday morning when its flight from Luton to Faro takes off.
Garry Wilson, easyJet holidays’ chief executive, said: “This is the news we’ve been waiting for, and we’re really excited to be taking our customers on their first overseas holidays of 2021 from Monday.
“We may not have been able to take people away over the past few months, but we’ve been taking the time to focus on delivering safe and enjoyable holidays and provide industry leading choice and flexibility to our customers.
“Here’s to the start of summer 2021 and sending many more people away safely on their well-deserved holidays once again.”