Is Madeira Safe Broken ?

Tobi Hughes·
Madeira News

It seems many of you have been having problems getting your free return test through the Madeira Safe website or app.

They advertise on Visit Madeira Page that everyone is entitled to one free test, it just seems it’s very difficult for some to get this to return to their country.

I to have experienced this with a friend staying. He submitted a request for a free PCR test to return to France, His request was accepted but from then nothing else. Emails to Madeira Safe do not get a reply.

In the end, we went to the airport, and they did the PCR for him there.

Others have told me when submitting a request they are given a choice of testing locations but the links do not work….

Also please note, those traveling to the UK, you do not need a PCR to enter the UK. All that’s needed is an Antigen test, and you book your day 2 PCR online and show this as proof when you land in the UK.

Some of you unable to get the free test have gone to the Private Hospital to get tested and Paid 95 euros for a PCR when you only need an Antigen test that cost 20.00 euros, the hospital will not tell you this, so it’s up to you to know what’s needed, and it has been mentioned many times on this blog.

For other countries, I do not know your rules of entry, but if you only need an Antigen test then this is very cheap in Madeira. Plus you do not need an appointment just go to the Private Hospital, and they do it there and then for you, and print out your results as proof.

You can find all the information below, just click the image text below, and then scroll down to where you can see the section on LEAVING THE AUTONOMOUS REGION OF MADEIRA 

 

Click the text below.

It also explains how to book your test before leaving, but so many of you are having problems with this.

If you are having problems, it’s best to try to go to one of the testing places, in Funchal the main hospital has one, and I believe this is where most people go for their return test.

Another question I get asked a lot is that people coming with their 2 vaccines or proof that they have recovered from Covid-19 in the last 180 days, the proof is only validated on Madeira Safe once you arrive in Madeira, and show your proof to the Madeira Safe Team in the arrivals. Maybe someone can confirm this also.?

If I can help I will answer all comments left below this post, please note, I will not answer comments left on Facebook, please leave them here using the comment box. If it’s the first time you have commented, I need to approve you, so please give me some time to do this, as I normally check through all the comments in the Evenings.

Previous ArticleSTUDY INDICATES THAT HOUSE PRICES IN MADEIRA ROSE 14.2% IN THE LAST YEAR
Next ArticleRÚBEN MICAEL ACQUIRES ‘TOURIGALO CHAIN’ IN MADEIRA
Tobi Hughes

65 Responses

  1. Our hotel reception checked with the BA desk and was told an antigen test was not required for double vaccinated people. We return on Monday 5th what do we do?

    1. Im not 100% sure on this. Maybe someone else can answer this question. I would think as you have the two vaccines UK will be doing the same as Madeira Will you still have to book a day 2 PCR test?
      All the confusion makes travelling and holidays a stressful time.

  2. In relation to “Another question I get asked a lot is that people …….” I can only say that when I arrived 7th June from the UK, I was not asked to present my NHS Vaccination Certificate since, as required, I had previously uploaded this to Madeira Safe and the staff at the airport were able to see this and the fact it had been validated. However, to be on the safe side, I would encourage all who wish to enter purely on a vaccination certificate to have the printed version with them.

  3. Madeira is currently on the green “Watch” list and so long as that does not change by 5th July, the rules under the heading “Before travel to England” at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england#green-list make it clear that an antigen test must be taken before you leave and the results uploaded to the Passenger Locator form (which can be found at https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk). The test must be taken within the 3 days before you take off. On another Gov site, it is clearly stated that this applies equally to people who have been vaccinanted. Also, don’t forget to book your day 2 day PCR test in the UK and upload details of the booking also to the Passenger Locator form. Hope this helps.

      1. Hi Tobi, we are travelling back to Madeira on 12 July but only have 1 vaccination, we have booked pcr antigen test 48 hours before but when we try Madeira safe it keeps erroring. Do you have a contact we can get in touch with to fix the problem?

      1. We travel to Madeira on 26th July with my two daughters aged 15 and 16 from the UK. We have both had our two vaccinations but I assume our daughters will need a PCR Test before we fly out.

  4. So…… is Madeirasafetotravel app and Madeirasafe.com
    one and the same thing?

    1. Yes it seems to be, you can ersn points on the app, you just login from the app to Madeira safe and your points do far will be added, and you can use them for one of the experiences, not much to choose from, but it’s something.

  5. Hi Tobi, we are flying to Italy with a transit in Germany. We have ti have a PCR test, even just for transit, and that costs 95 Euros each.

  6. About a week before travel I uploaded my vaccine certificate on Madeira Safe – it was not validated before travel although I got a green line QR code. The vaccination certificate (pdf printout from NHS app) was validated on arrival with no problems. As I am staying with Portuguese family I expected to be called for a PCR test after a few days but was told this is not necessary if you have a vaccine certificate.

  7. We are only in Madeira for 3 days arriving 2 -5 july..on arrival to airport is it possible to have an antigen test for departure?

  8. Hi Tobi, thanks for making this all clear. It is much appreciated. Will most pharmacies in Madeira do an antigen test?

  9. Hi Tobi, I have spent 3 mornings on this and it is a nightmare. Returning to SCOTLAND, we require PCR test.
    Phone numbers I have been given are not answered and I have finally completed application for Hospital Particular and have been told to tell them we are entitled to free test and they will bill the government….! Personally, I think the system is overwhelmed now that people require tests coming into Madeira and leaving Madeira. I will keep you in the loop as I have little faith in this working! Hopefully, I will be given an appointment time by e.mail!

    1. You could forward this issue to Scotland´s government too because the pre-departure PCR test is their requirement, not Madeira´s. There is a problem when things are free. Yes, it tends to get overwhelmetd.

      1. Mike Prior sent me this by email.
        At 11.30 today we had our covid tests at the pharmacy central opposite the Bazar de Povo, (booked for us by the hotel) and by 12.30 we had printed statements to say we were both negative and fit to fly.

        NO CHARGE.

  11. Returning to Denmark from Madeira with a valid COVID-19 pass (2 jabs or immune) no test is needed, as Madeira om the green list in DK.

  12. Hi Tobi,

    Leaving to go back on the 12th so thought I’d better get things sorted now rather than leave it to late!

    Applied for my lateral flow test through the app, which incidentally has been updated, received an email within a couple of minutes saying to present the email to one of the approved Farmácia on the attached link in the email.

    NB. Lateral flow list only https://iasaude.pt/index.php/comunicacao-em-saude/popups/8716-covid-19-onde-realizar-testes-farmacias

    As we will not be in Funchal on the last few days before we go back I thought it was prudent to find out if we could get a test outside of Funchal. Contacted one of the Farmácia on the list and got booked in for two days before we fly out no problem. Don’t forget Farmácia are not always open on a Saturday afternoon or Sunday and most only test in the morning.

    I would suggest people check their spam/junk email folder to see if there are emails from no-reply@madeirasafe.com, should be two. Also check that you have correct email in the test request form on the app before you got save.

    Regarding the NHS vaccination certificate on the Madeira Safe app, once uploaded it will say not validated until you arrive at FNC and follow the light green lane to show your certificate to the Madeira Safe staff to validate it. Your status will change to validated on the app and your QR code will change from light green to dark green.

    Hope this helps.

    Steve

  13. We received invitation to hospital for PCR test following my contribution above! We will be in a plane full of people also tested, will collect our car on arrival in Edinburgh and drive straight home. I do not know where we are going to be exposed to the virus but still we have to fork out another 200 quid for Day 2 test. If test required, Day 5 would be more appropriate!

  15. With regard to the pre travel pcr tests. In the UK it states you have to take your test 72 hours before your flight. Yet when you look on the MadeiraSafe page it states you have to upload your test results 4 days before ? How can we do that if we have to wait 3 days before we can take the test. Thoughts or suggestions anyone.

  16. I am flying to Madeira 31st July with my husband, daughter and her boyfriend. Both my husband and I have had both vaccinations but my daughter and her boyfriend have only had their 1st vaccination the 8 week gap means they can’t have the 2nd until late August, I am assuming they will need a PCR test prior to departure. The comments on here have been very useful and I am less stressed now about having to take a test before departing back to the UK. Thank you for the information, I was not aware we would only require antigen tests so that is very useful. Is that the same for my daughter and her boyfriend even though they have only had one vaccination so far, any information would be appreciated, thank you. Tracy

  17. Hello everyone, first of all I will apologise for the volume of questions I am about to ask 🙂
    Reading through all of the comments has been helpful,but I am still a little confused – it feels like there is so much to do. We fly to Madeira on 31 July. My hubby and I are fully vaccinated but my daughter and her boyfriend have only had one vaccination so far, aged (18 and 20) so have only just recently been able to have their first. I will have to arrange PCR tests for them prior to travel. We are staying in Calheta this visit and I can see on the links provided we can arrange Antigen tests at a pharmacy prior to our departure back to the UK. Am i reading correctly that there is little or no charge for these tests and certificates. We depart Madeira on Saturday 7th August – would anyone recommend we have these tests on the Thursday ? Is this enough time to upload them to the Madeira safe. Also – apologies for all the questions – how soon should I upload mine and hubbys vaccination details to the Madeira safe, and is this the same as the passenger locator form or something different. Thank you in advance

    1. You get your antigen results there and there normally it takes about an hour from start to finish, and you don’t need Madeira safe going back you fill the UK locator form 48 hours before

      1. HI Toby, you seem to be the man in “the know”. MadeiraSafe seems to have changed overnight? Is this correct?. Also do we need to book our 2 day PCR Test before we fly out to Madeira or can we do it there prior to us leaving? MadeiraSafe also states we need to upload any PCR Test results 4 days beforehand but we can’t take the test until at least 3 days before we fly? We are staying at the Vidamar Resort Hotel.

        1. No the tests need to be updated with four days before travel. Book your day 2pcr when you are here in case things change, its normally next day delivery so shouldn’t be a problem.

          1. Thanks Toby. Am a little confused with the 4 day upload before we fly out. My daughters can only get their PCR tests in UK 72 hours ( 3 days ) before we fly out to Madeira. Therefore we will not be able to upload them until nearer the day we intend to arrive i.e Arrival Monday 26th. The tests will need to be booked for the Friday before we leave the UK. Or am I reading it wrong?

    2. Agree Tracy, all very confusing. We are in a similar situation. We have 2 daughters 15 and 16 who have not been vaccinated but we have both had our double doses. We need to arrange PCR Tests for them prior to leaving. We fly out on 26th which is a Monday. Don’t know whether we have them tested on Thursday or Friday? In the hope we get the results back in time. I believe the passenger locator form on the return is completely different to MadeiraSafe one.

        1. Thank you Tobi and everyone else for you’re help. I have never been so stressed trying to arrange a long awaited holiday. Just so I have it straight in my head – we register on Madeira Safe and upload the daughters PCR result for coming to Madeira then use the UK locator form for coming back… ?

  18. Hi Trevor, I will let you know how we get on, I am hoping the day 2 test will be scrapped for vaccinated people returning from green countries at the next review. Have you been to Madeira before, this is our 3rd visit and cannot wait, we love madeira x

    1. I think there is some confusion around the 4 day comment on the madeira safe app for uk travellers.

      So to fly to madeira you need to fill in the madeirasafe app (this is the Portuguese equivalent of a passenger locator form).
      To get in you need a pcr within 72 hours of flying or a double vaccine. Along with your details, copies of either your vaccines or test result need uploading into the app.
      The first time we came our documents were validated online, so our qr code went dark green and a short wait to exit the airport, if they validate at the airport then a little longer wait as you stay light green, so try to upload your documents as soon as you can on the app before you go.

      To help encourage tourists, madeira is providing a free test if it is required by the country which you return to, so antigen for England. But they need you to give 4 days notice if you want to request one because of the demand. So you request this via the app and then they reply with a code you can take to a pharmacy listed for a free antigen test, we paid 19.50 euros last time at a private clinic as a short visit so not enough notice for a government test.

      The bigger pharmacies will do every day and provide a paper copy as well as an email version of test result.

      To return to the UK, you need this result and a uk passenger locator form and have your day 2 test already ordered.

      Hope this helps.

        1. Yes, when we came back.in mid May, the message appeared after we had arrived, an advisory to book your return test with as much notice. For those vaccinated I’d advise uploading everything ASAP and booking test, as it took us 2 hours to leave the airport last Saturday. Happy to wait though to keep Madeira safe 🙂

      2. Hi, My wife and I have both been vaccinated and have uploaded our relevant documents to prove this at least 2 weeks ago, but our QR Code is still showing light green. We fly out on 26th. Is it likely to change to dark green before then? Do we book the Day 2 PCR test before we leave UK or would you advise doing it once we are in Madeira?

    2. Hi Tracy. Would be good to hear how you get on thank you. This will be our first visit to Madeira. It was cancelled last year so we moved it to this year.

        1. Although extremely stressful with everything we have to do beforehand, We are looking forward to it.

  20. Does anyone know how the Boots instore pre travel test works? I know you have to book it online but does it give you any dates and times to select when booking? Also we travel on a Monday do we test on a Friday or Thursday prior to ensure test results are back in time?…As usual I cannot through to anyone at Boots here in UK to advise.

  21. HI WE ARE TRAVELLING FRIDAY TO MADEIRA AND IVE DONE THE MADEIRA SAFE FORMS FOR ALL OF US AND IVE UPLOADED ONTO THEM ALL OUR DOUBLE JABBED CERTIFICATES. OUR STAUS SAYS GO TO GREEN LIOGHT BUT THE DOCUMENTS ARE COMING UP UNVALIDATED , IS THIS OK ??

  22. Please advise what is the test requirement for returning to Scotland from Madeira seems very confusing government site doesn’t really make it clear if antigen or lateral flow is ok

  23. Hi, I am travelling on Monday to Porto Santo. I have completed the form on Madeirasafe and uploaded my double vaccinated certificate but it is saying it is not validated. Is this a problem?

      1. Hi Toby, We are going to Madeira and have been reading your great comments and are very helpful. Please can you confirm that you only need a Antigen test 72 hrs at Madeira before you leave to come back to UK and not a PCR test.
        Also I have uploaded my double vaccine 10 days ago and it still says “not yet validated”, when does it get validated and can you still check on 24hrs before? Will we get our QR code at the airport or before?
        Thanks Karen

        1. Hi, yes just an Antigen test is needed. Your vaccines on Madeira Safe might get validated before you arrive, even maybe while you in in flight on your way, if not it will be done at the airport when you are here. The first blog post on my site has all the info you need to return..

Comments are closed.

© 2023 Madeira Island News | Privacy Policy