Portugal Given The Green Light

Tobi Hughes·
Madeira News

Great news to see Portugal has been put on the green travel list from the UK.

I sure it’s going to help boost the economy here, but I wonder how many people will still travel as there will still be the price of testing for airlines and returning to the UK.

With other popular European destinations still on the Amber list, it will give Portugal a good head start to some holiday movement.

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Tobi Hughes

35 Responses

  1. Yes, great news. We will certainly be travelling in June and will take the hit of the full test needed when we return. The UK government will provide units of the simpler Lateral Flow Test for us to take use before we leave Madeira and return.

    1. Are you saying that to fly back to the UK you only need a lateral flow test to get on the plane??

  2. Already booked for September. We’re really looking forward to seeing everyone.

  3. Any ideas how we can get test for returning as coming over 9th july

    1. All the clinics do them here and private hospital, hopefully the prices will come down more as well. At the moment the PCR test is about 80-90 euros.

  4. Brilliant news. And vaccine passports aren’t needed thus allowing families with children to holiday.

  5. Great news. We’ll be back as usual for 2 weeks at the end of Sept and beginning of October. Keep us updated on any changes in Madeira. Enjoy your blog everyday.

  8. We are booked to travel on the 2nd of June so looking forward to being back in Madeira, has anyone got the rules for entering Madeira what will be required

  9. I’m sure I read somewhere that one free PCR test is available in Madeira either when arriving or departing. But perhaps a lateral flow test is sufficient when departing for the UK. Either way, good news. Arriving in June.

  10. I would be interested to know how those folk travelling in June are going to get to Madeira? As far as I can see, the regular carriers (Jet2, EasyJet) are not yet offering flights before the end of June ?

    1. flying Easyjet from Bristol. You can also get flights from London and Manchester in May/June

    2. Just checked with easyJet and they are showing flights for 4th June from Gatwick

    3. Fly through Lisbon as I did only yesterday (heading back to the UK from Madeira). The queue through border control at Heathrow was only about 45 minutes. I can’t see that being the case once the floodgates open.

      I’m also pretty sure that direct flights will be rescheduled in the coming days now that the green light has been given.

      As far as I am aware, as a tourist you will still benefit from a free PCR test at the airport on your way into Madeira, but unless there is a change of position, you will need to pay for a PCR on exit (I paid 95 Euros for a drive-througjh test at HPM – in and out in less than 2 minutes!!).

      (Bit chilly here in the UK… not entirely sure why I came back. Lol).

  11. We are booked to return to Madeira on 17 May for two weeks and are pleased to see it is on the green list. We just need to know what the Madeira requirements are for us. We have both had our two vaccinations.

    1. Then you can just come straight through. No testing or anything, but you will need to check if your airline asks for a test to fly.

  12. OMG Madeira or Iceland, er Maybe Iceland, I need to stock up my freezer ?

  13. I came back home here in Madeira today. I came via Lisbon. TAP would not let me on the plane without proof of a PCR test taken within the previous 72 hours.
    When I left here a couple of weeks ago I also had to have a PCR test before I could depart from Madeira. Clinique da Se charge Enron 120 per test.

  15. We have just booked 2weeks in December and will be out earlier as well if we can

  16. I am coming on 31st May Tobi. Already checked in on Easy jet flight from Gatwick. Our only concern is getting a PCR test in Madeira, hopefully you will bring the cost right down for us. A good opportunity to get loads of extra Brits over to your beautiful island on holiday. Make it easy for people and they will come.

  17. Alison, a Lateral Flow test will be sufficient for re-entry into the UK from a Green List country it doesn’t have to be a PCR Test

    Gov.UK: Test providers and type of test
    You will need to find a test provider. You must make sure that the test provider can meet the standards for pre-departure testing.

    The test must meet performance standards of ≥97% specificity, ≥80% sensitivity at viral loads above 100,000 copies/ml.

    This could include tests such as:

    a nucleic acid test, including a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or derivative technologies, including loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) tests
    an antigen test, such as a test from a lateral flow device
    It’s your responsibility to ensure the test meets the minimum standards for sensitivity, specificity and viral load details. You must check with your test provider that it meets those standards.

  18. https://qured.com/

    On this website above (info picked up from BA website) you can book a pre-departure rapid test
    which you bring with you on your holiday. You get a Fit to Fly document – details on website. If flying BA you get a discount – other airlines may offer a discount too.
    £39
    Results in just 20 minutes, overseen on video call by a Health Advisor.
    Approved for pre-departure testing for travel to the UK.
    Free Tracked 24 delivery, or choose our priority courier service.
    Official UK Government provider.

    Considerably cheaper than a PCR test, although you will still need to book a PCR Test for day 2 of your return.

    The BA website has lots of info on testing, even if you are not flying with them.

    I am flying to Madeira with BA on 29th May, booked a couple of weeks ago, so happy that Madeira on the Green list as my son and family live in Madeira.

  19. Thank you Robert. Taking 2 PCR tests in 5 days did seem a bit too much. This sounds more sensible.

  20. Lets hope that some tourist behave themselves and respect the rules since where in Sintra village where I live I seen a few without masks and ignoring the rules complete and it seems that the epidemic is finish when isn’t at all.

  21. You will need to have a covid test before departing, either PCR or lateral flow and upon arrival in UK you will need to perform a private PCR test within 2 days of arrival.

  23. I agree with Isabel. So many people, who are clearly tourists, think that having been tested or vaccinated they don’t need to wear masks or socially distance. Don’t forget that Madeira is way behind many other countries regarding vaccinations. People in their 70s are still being done. 60s (just started in some places) and 50s not yet. So we still have many susceptible people here on the island. We do not want disrespectful, selfish people igoring the rules coming here.

  24. My understanding is that Airlines require you to have a PCR test 72 hours before travelling.
    Everyone needs to check the exact situation with their flight and not rely on blog chat!

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