Lisbon Portugal travel requirements 2024: What travelers need to know

We aim to keep this post updated about Lisbon travel in 2024 with official Portugal travel restrictions, requirements, and health and safety guidance. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions so you can travel confidently, safely, and responsibly in this new post-pandemic world of ours.

As restrictions vary based on the traveler’s citizenship, we will focus primarily on rules affecting U.S. citizens.

Last update: October 3, 2024. Originally published: September 2020.

Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of our links, we may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you.

January 2024: “I stayed in Lisbon on a short term visa. This time (winter season) is perfect to beat the summer rush and enjoy various touristy attractions without a lot of crowds. Airbnbs and hotels are also available in plenty. At the moment, there are no restrictions. Lots of pharmacies around in popular places.”
– Mayuri from ToSomePlaceNew, Canadian traveler

At the end of the post, we share more on-the-ground perspectives from local residents and travelers to Lisbon, Portugal so you can get a sense of what it’s really like.

Can US citizens travel to Lisbon? Can I travel to Lisbon right now?

Yes, Portugal is open for tourism. 

As of July 2022, a negative COVID 19 test, certificate of vaccination or a certificate of recovery is no longer required to enter Portugal.. 

Visitors from over 60 visa-exempt countries, including the U.S., will soon be required to have a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) travel authorization to enter Portugal and other European countries. The start date has been delayed from 2024 to 2025. 

See details about ETIAS here.

In addition, the new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) will start on November 2024. The EES is a digital border control system that will register non-EU nationals entering or leaving the Schengen area. The system is designed to enhance security and streamline the entry process.

Learn more about EES here

Lisbon travel restrictions have sometimes been more strict than other parts of the country, however, there are currently no Covid protocols in place.

Quarantine rules in Lisbon, Portugal: What happens if I get Covid?

American travelers or those arriving from the U.S. are not required to quarantine upon arrival.

Anyone who experiences symptoms of the virus while in Portugal can call the Saúde 24 number: +351 808 242424 (press 9 for English). The medical staff will check the symptoms and will give advice depending on the condition, and if necessary they can arrange for the person to be seen by a doctor.

Anyone who tests positive for Covid while in Portugal are no longer required to quarantine. Instead of isolation, the Portuguese government suggests that those who show symptoms of COVID, or any other respiratory disease, limit their contact with vulnerable persons as well as wear a face mask.

Lisbon test requirements to enter indoor businesses

You might be wondering: Do I need a vaccine certificate or Covid test to enter restaurants, attractions, and accommodations in Lisbon? 

EU Digital COVID Certificate or negative RT-PCR/antigen test is no longer required when accessing accommodation, restaurants, events, bars and clubs and other public spaces/services.

Can Americans travel to Lisbon in November 2024? Can US citizens travel to Portugal this Winter?

Travel to Lisbon in November is open to American tourists. Please read on for details and check back for updates, as rules may change.

What is it like to fly to Lisbon LIS International Airport right now? TAP Airlines reports crew continue to maintain health and safety practices, but masks are no longer required.

Disinfecting systems have been implemented in airports. Crowds may be difficult to avoid.

Do Americans have to quarantine when traveling to Lisbon? No.

Does Portugal check COVID-19 symptoms of incoming travelers? Portugal may require some travelers to undergo secondary health screening, but generally symptoms are not checked anymore.

Does Lisbon require a negative Covid-19 test for U.S. travelers? No. As of July 2022, travelers are no longer required to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test to enter Portugal.

Does Lisbon require a proof of Coronavirus vaccine for American travelers? No. A proof of Coronavirus vaccine is not required for American travelers to enter mainland Portugal.

Do I still need to provide a negative Covid test or quarantine if I have been vaccinated? At this time, there is no special allowance for vaccinated American travelers to Portugal; all are allowed entry.

Is a booster shot required for travel to Lisbon? At this time, booster shots are not required in Portugal. There is currently no expiration period set for the validity of vaccinations.

What Covid testing options are available for travelers in Lisbon? Foreign visitors can get a Covid test at testing centers and pharmacies in Portugal or call the Portuguese health authorities at (+ 351) 808 24 24 24 (Press 9 for English) for testing info.

Rapid antigen testing have been offered in all the major Portuguese airports, including Lisbon (LIS) and Porto (OPO).

What healthcare options are available to travelers in Lisbon who get the virus? Lisbon hospitals and clinics are open. Healthcare is generally very affordable.

If you have Covid symptoms, you may be advised to call the Saúde 24 number: +351 808 242424.

For travel insurance that covers Covid, check out Nomad Insurance by Safety Wing >

What service businesses and restaurants are open in Lisbon? Turismo de Portugal created a “Clean and Safe” stamp of approval to distinguish activities and accommodations that comply with hygiene and cleaning requirements for the prevention of virus transmission.

Businesses are open. There is currently no capacity limit to public spaces or large gatherings. Tests or a Covid pass is no longer required to access businesses and restaurants in Portugal.

Are face masks required in Lisbon? As of April 2022, masks are no longer required when accessing public places and events, such as restaurants, cafes, shopping centers, and museums.

However, masks may still be required in nursing homes and hospitals.

Are buses running in Lisbon? Public transportation and Uber are available in Lisbon with no capacity limits. Passengers are no longer required to wear a mask.

Will Portugal impose new Covid restrictions? What’s next is difficult to predict. Historically, most countries impose COVID-19 restrictions when strains on the health care system might become unsustainable. Portugal has been fairly proactive with preventive Covid measures.

How has the Coronavirus impacted Lisbon Portugal?

Portugal initially locked down until May 18, 2020 to prepare their health system and put precautions in place before reopening. The country did have one of the highest testing rates in the world at one point. Strict lock down measures, which ended on April 2021, dramatically lowered the infection rate in the country. In summer 2021, Portugal experienced another increase in Covid cases with the Delta variant. 

In December 2021, the Omicron variant became the dominant strain in Portugal despite having one of the world’s highest rates of COVID-19 vaccination, but cases have since dropped. Nearly 90% of Portugal has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  

State of Alert in Portugal ended September 20, 2022.

Portugal’s economy relies heavily on tourism. The previously booming tourism industry in Lisbon has suffered. More than 90,000 people in the tourism sector lost jobs in Portugal.

Lisbon’s tourism rebounded strongly in 2023.

What do Lisbon locals and recent travelers say about visiting Lisbon now?

What is it like to visit Lisbon right now? It’s our goal to provide regular updates here from real people on the ground, to help potential visitors know what to expect.

The following are subjective opinions only. Official travel guidance can be found above.

September 2023 – Anna Hamilton of Spain Inspired, EU resident: “I visited Lisbon for a bit over a week, partly as a work trip but I then extended my stay to see some more of the city as a tourist. Lisbon is a fantastic city to visit, but you can definitely tell that it’s a hotspot for visitors (and especially digital nomads) these days. Prices in the more touristy areas have gone up quite a lot, so it’s not the super budget-friendly destination it used to be – but, overall, it’s still a great place to be given how much there is to see, do (and eat!) here.

In the streets of Lisbon, it’s basically like there was no pandemic. You do see the occasional person wearing a mask, including on public transport, but they’re definitely in the minority. Besides this, there is nothing out of the ordinary relating to Covid-19 that you will see here.”

May 2023 – Yvonne of Now In Portugal, resident: “Portugal in general is experiencing a huge tourism bump, and is considered one of the most safest countries in Europe. The only issue is that as Lisbon is such a popular destination, it can get quite crowded in the summer months. To avoid the crowds while still enjoying the beautiful weather it is better to visit during the shoulder seasons May-June and September-October.

During the pandemic, Portugal was one of the most vaccinated countries in the world, with 86% of the population vaccinated. Today masks are asked to be worn in medical institutions, like hospitals, but they are no longer required in other locations. There are no travel restrictions at the moment and social distancing isn’t practiced in local attractions.”

February 2023 – Megan of Traveller’s Elixir, U.K. digital nomad: “My partner and I lived in Lisbon for one month in February 2023. Lisbon is very busy with tourists at the moment. I’ve been out exploring a lot in the last few days and I was surprised at just how many tourists there were, especially as it’s currently off season. The tourism sector appears to be booming and the city is as busy as ever.

It looks like everything is back to normal in terms of Covid. It’s super busy everywhere and I haven’t really seen anyone wearing a mask. When I arrived, I had masks in my bag just in case I needed to wear them at the airport or in the taxi but nobody else was wearing one and I wasn’t asked to. To be honest, I haven’t even heard the word ‘Covid’ once or seen any reference to it at all since I’ve been here.

All of the attractions are as busy as ever with long queues forming outside the popular ones. I’ve even seen long queues outside some restaurants. I actually went to the Hard Rock Cafe last night with a reservation and still had to queue for 10 minutes to be seated as there were so many people there.”

January 2023 – Christian of RandomTrip, Spanish digital nomad: “I live in Lisbon some months a year. Everything is mostly back to normal in Lisbon, to the point that long queues are already back to the famous Pastel de Belém pastry shop. There are almost no restrictions so you can visit every tourist site normally, go to restaurants or bars, etc. 

Lisbon is totally ready for tourism: in fact the city is even starting to suffer from overtourism again. There are currently no significant restrictions to access the country nor to access tourist attractions or everyday services, so you can visit normally without having to worry about it. Planning a bit and buying tickets online for the most demanded tourist attractions can be useful for saving time and sometimes, avoiding queues.”

October 2022 – Esther, American tourist: “I would say that things are pretty much back to “normal” regarding Covid protocols. We had no Covid restrictions or masking guidelines anywhere. A few people were wearing masks. I was amazed how busy it was in the tourist areas for October. I can’t imagine what it’s like during the height of travel in July and August. Restaurants were busy, the tourist Hop On Hop Off busses crowded and the lines for Tram 28 long.”

August 2022 – Kathy G., US traveler: “As far as COVID….Portugal still requires that people wear masks on public transportation. Cabs, Uber, buses, trains, etc. And I’d say 90% are completely compliant. Feels pretty safe. However, in stores, shops, restaurants, etc there is only about 2-5% wearing masks…and they tend to be of older ages. KLM and Delta no longer require them.

For our first visit to Lisbon, we were concerned about our flights home due to all the bad press about delays and lost luggage but ours turned out to be relatively smooth. The airlines had cancelled the first leg of our flight out of Lisbon about two weeks previously, but by proactively contacting the airline and working diligently for about four hours online I managed to get good replacement flights home. 

Checking in and going through passport control was a little confusing but we gave ourselves plenty of time to get to our gate.  And yes, our luggage made all the connections and was waiting for us in baggage claim. A long day but not bad all things considered. Happy to say we came home healthy.”

June 2022, Charity K., expat in Lisbon: “Folks here follow the rules. They lifted the mask mandates a couple weeks ago and some people lifted their masks. Masks were always required on public transit, so that never changed.

Covid test kits are easy and cheap to find and readily available. Centralized testing sites around town that were in place over the winter are gone. We are headed into the busy summer travel season so there seems to be more impact from well-timed government strikes by airport and train workers than mask requirements.”

May 20 2022 – Linda K., US traveler: “We returned from Lisbon after enjoying three wonderful weeks touring Portugal. The people are so friendly and most helpful. Everyone in the country is acting that COVID is a thing of the past and Ukraine is their concern.

Public transportation requires masks which wasn’t a problem for us as we wore a mask whenever there was a crowd of people. We needed a 24 hour negative test to enter but only showed it once.

The last three days were spent in Lisbon and upon arrival we inquired about COVID test. Our hotel had an authorized lab come to the hotel Monday thru Saturday and charged $95 a person for the 72 hour test. Since we had a 10 AM flight we choose to go to the airport Sunday for the 24 hour test and paid $25 a person. The results were emailed within 30 minutes.

We arrived at Lisbon airport at 7:15 AM Monday and encountered long lines showing our passports at various stations getting to our flight 5 minutes before boarding.

The tourist are back and summer will be active but we were glad we had the opportunity to experience Portugal.”

April 2022 – Michelle J., US visitor: “From what I saw and what my friend who was our local guide said, it seems that Lisbon is back to being a tourist destination. Everything we did was crowded – Fado, Sintra, the city lookouts, walking around the castle. Folks are all still wearing masks a lot but not once settled at their table at a restaurant. No one seems to be thinking about it much anymore and none of us were asked to show our proof of negative test entering the country. We did have to upload our vaccine cards to the airline website, though.”

March 20, 2022 – Andoreia travels the world, Romanian traveler: “I spent 8 days in Portugal in March 2022, split between Porto and Lisbon. Personally I made sure to have a mask in my pocket (to use indoors and in public transportation) and a small bottle with disinfectant. I also carried my certificate in my wallet in case I’d ever need it. Other than this, it wasn’t too different from travelling pre-pandemic. I did however prefer to eat outdoors whenever it was possible, but that was mainly my precaution.

The main restriction still in place was wearing a mask indoors and people (both locals and tourists) were respecting it. Some also chose to wear a mask outdoors. Local attractions and restaurants were open and sometimes they’d ask for your Covid certificate. In Lisbon you could also find Covid testing centers scattered across the city.”

February 16, 2022 – Mary from brbymary.com, French traveler: “My partner and I flew to Lisbon for a long weekend in February 2022. Lisbon was extremely welcoming and we felt very safe walking and going around the city. Portugal still has some requirements in place such as social distance and wearing masks inside which made us feel very comfortable. 

All our vaccine documentation was checked once we landed in Lisbon but the process was very smooth and fast. Everything was open and our vaccine certificates were asked for at the restaurant since we sat inside. We saw one testing mobile centre on Rossio Square which is very central and the line was short.”

January 2022 – Daniel, U.S. traveler: “The trip [to Lisbon] was incredibly fun and I would go back today if I could.

Know the covid rules for every country you stop or transit through and obey them. This is really important – Have a plan if you run a foul of covid rules in a country. If you have to stay in the airport be prepared with a travel pillow and maybe a silicon water bottle/snacks. You will be on your own to figure out how to rectify the problem. The will cancel your flight and hold your luggage.

My wife tested positive for the covid the night before we were to return to the U.S. and we were quarantined for awhile. If it says 10 days it really means you can travel on the 11th day. Hotel White Lisboa allowed us to stay longer – upgrade our room to a two story suite with breakfast which they delivered and just took care of us. The rooms where very clean and modern. They were a true blessing for God.

Covid test cost about $3.00 and can be purchased at most pharmacies location almost on every block of Lisbon. Buy a bunch because sometimes they are required to get into restaurants, boats, The Time Out Market, etc. There was a special rule during Christmas & New Years but you just never know what a certain establishment or government venue will require. So to go to the restaurant, take the test outside, and they let you in. Some will take vaccination cards and some will have tests available for you to take for a fee. Masks are required every where and the Portuguese obey the rules of their country a lot better than Americans.”

December 27, 2021 – Anthony of Green Mochila, Portugal resident: “Despite rising numbers and confusing regulations, the Portuguese people are reassuringly respectful of the safety measures. Masks have been a common sight on the streets for the past months and social distancing seems to be already ingrained, at least for most people.
The Portuguese are a peaceful crowd and don’t mind waiting in line and bearing with the regulations. I was also positively impressed by the efficient organisation when I needed to be tested, vaccinated or followed-up with after I was tested positive. I got called 5 times in my 10 days of quarantine to check on my recovery.”

November 2021 – Victoria, German digital  nomad: “I visited Lisbon in the first week of November. Lisbon is very much open to travellers and all tourist attractions are open and available as usual. The nightlife is also picking back up yet with some restrictions and earlier closing times.

People are acting responsibly as far as I could tell. There is testing available but due to high vaccination numbers this is not necessary most of the time. You can move freely and enjoy yourself in the city. Since Lisbon is most popular during the summer months it’s a bit quieter now with shorter lines and lower accommodation prices.”

September 2021 – Matt, American traveler Wheatlesswanderlust.com: “We spent three months in Europe, including one month in Portugal and a week in Lisbon. Other than the fact that masks were being worn everywhere indoors, and even in some places outdoors, life in Lisbon felt remarkably normal.

Crowds were heavy, and we noticed a lot of tourists both American and British walking around Central Lisbon.

The only issue we ran into was understanding travel requirements going from Portugal to France. Plan on arriving at the airport about 2 hours early for any flights – things are taking longer in check-in lines with all the documentation needed.

The other thing to note is that accommodations require your green pass (e.g. proof of vaccination or negative test result) when checking in. We found it easiest to contact the places we were staying ahead of time to ask (all said yes, they require it), and send pictures of our CDC cards ahead of time. Out of three places we stayed, one preferred to check them in person. 

In general, restrictions were being followed by both visitors and locals. On trains, the metro, and planes, masks are required and almost everyone was wearing a mask correctly the entire time (with a few exceptions). At attractions like museums and the sights in Sintra, most people were not wearing masks outdoors (e.g. in the gardens of Sintra), but put them on when entering an indoor space.

Our guide on a walking tour, who is a professional tour guide and relies heavily on tourism, shared that she and many of the people in her circles are anxious to get back to some semblance of pre-pandemic life, including tourism. Another guide we had mentioned that he was seeing the same level of American travelers right now, in September of 2021, as he was seeing pre-pandemic, and that he and his tour company were ecstatic to see tourism picking back up again after a tough year in 2020.

Testing is available – both antigen and PCR – and is generally more accessible than at home in the US, but less accessible than in other European countries like Italy and France. My brothers both flew home from Portugal and was able to easily find a place to get tested before flying into the US – one at a hospital, one at SynLab. Antigen tests are about 30 Euros, PCR tests are around 90-100 Euros.”

September 24, 2021 – Nuno, local tour guide in Lisbon: “Good morning Lisbon and welcome to this new crazy world. After 1 year, reaching 85% of the total population vaccinated, restaurant, bars and discos will no longer struggle with limited capacity and the digital certificate …
Enjoy while it lasts. Be conscious and responsible. Your freedom ends where my begins. Stay safe and explore!…”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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September 15, 2021 – Shannon, American traveler: “We took two Covid tests before departing just to make sure, and had copies of the negative test results with us.  We flew into Lisbon with a stopover in Amsterdam, and we were probably asked to show the test results at least 5 times from our airline check-in until we checked into a hotel for our first night in Lisbon.  We were also required to complete Passenger Locator Cards online.
We stayed at Airbnbs in Cascais and Sintra.  I contacted both hosts in advance to confirm what they would require for us to check in. We noticed multiple testing sites and we were able to purchase self-tests from a pharmacy as well.

It seemed like everyone was just doing their best to understand the requirements and move on with their lives. I would definitely recommend contacting any hosts in advance just to confirm what they will want. We had a great time in Portugal, and I think it was a perfect destination to get away from crowds and still travel with restrictions. Can’t wait to go back!”

August 14 – Karen, American traveler transiting through Lisbon: “On August 3 we flew via TAP Airlines from Boston to Marseille via Lisbon. At Logan airport, TAP only wanted to see our passports and negative Covid tests. These had to be within 72 hours for PCR test and 48 hours for rapid antigen test. TAP & Portugal don’t count by days; they count by hours. We took our Covid test at minute clinic at CVS. The test results show the date and time the specimen was collected, patient demographics, and lab location. TAP accepts an email result or paper. They do not accept the results via text message.
TAP were not interested in our vaccination certificates. We also had to complete online a passenger locator form. We were instructed to print the form after we submitted it. However; no one asked to see it. The crew did hand out blank passenger locator forms on the plane to people who did not submit them online.
At the Lisbon airport they also only wanted to see our passports and negative Covid test. It took us almost 2 hours to get through passport control. The lines were huge.
When we landed in Marseille [France], all they wanted to see was our passports. We assume this is because we had already entered the EU through Portugal.”

August 2021 – Victoria, German digital nomad: “Lisbon is definitely welcoming and open but of course there are covid restrictions. Most of the nightlife is still closed although other tourist attractions including restaurants and hotels are open.
Travel restrictions are being followed. The COVID tracking app works across Europe including Portugal. You can obtain affordable self-tests or book PCR tests in testing centres. I did two self-covid tests but I’m also vaccinated so it wasn’t required.”

August 6, 2021 – Sarah B., American digital nomad, Benvenuti Arts: “I flew to Lisbon for a planned stay of two weeks with the option of staying longer.
Locals are very welcoming to tourists in Lisbon and seem very happy that people are coming back. There are a ton of digital nomads and expats here too, right now, since it is a bit easier to get in and out.
There are a mix of behaviors here, with almost everyone following restrictions when inside spaces (restaurants, public transportation), but less people wearing masks outside. The tourists seem to be looser in rule-following than locals, as you see a lot more consistent masking outside the centers. Amenities seem to be back to a level that is easily accessible and recognizable; I haven’t run into surprises even though also haven’t been planning ahead! Many places where you book – hotels, flights, tours, etc – do have you fill out forms, which makes me feel safer, and some are testing and taking temperatures.”

April 2021 – Nuno, Tour Guide & Permanent Resident of Lisbon: “Lisbon might look quite abandoned these days. Today I went back for a walking tour, the 1st of 2021. The first sign of hope that things can go back to normal. The city changed and some places couldn’t resist the long waiting and unfortunately they closed, moved to another less expensive part of town or gave up the struggle. I guess now it’s the perfect time to visit one of the oldest capitals in Europe… The city is slowly waking up, pretty as always, neglected since forever. Going back felt so good.”

February 2021 – Marco Santos from Travel-Boo, resident of Portugal: “At present Portugal is in lockdown. Portugal has recently seen a drastic increase in cases and COVID-related deaths with hospitals and ICU units under immense pressure. At present the country has many travel restrictions in place in an effort to curb any increases. Right now, with many sights, restaurants, and other attractions being closed to visitors, it would not be a good time to travel to Portugal yet.

Currently, travel restrictions in Portugal are being adhered to. Restaurants are closed for sit-down meals, but take-aways or home delivery can be ordered. Other establishments such as attractions, hairdressers, gyms and museums are all closed and there are some border restrictions in place as well.”

October 2020 – Nuno, Tour Guide & Permanent Resident of Lisbon: “As a country that was growing in visitors, tourism was simply out of control. The city opened the gates for Airbnbs and hostels but forgot that locals couldn’t afford to live in the city centre anymore. Covid ended this madness… but it took our jobs in the process.
We miss you now, dear tourists.
Despite the lack of regulation, many businesses can’t survive without tourists. The best things… museums, landmarks, tourist attractions, etc… are all empty. There’s almost no traffic in Lisbon and the city (and the outskirts like Sintra) are awesome to explore without the crowds and the rush.
There are different approaches (north/south and coast/inland). In big towns, near coastal areas and in the south, I don’t see people stressing out. There’s respect, but sometimes no social distancing.
In the north, people took the advice more seriously, meaning being more careful and more stressed towards you if you’re acting careless.
That being said, Portugal awaits for your return!”

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Even if you can’t go to Lisbon Portugal right now, you can still get started planning your Lisbon Portugal trip for the future.

Check out our other Lisbon Portugal travel resources:

– 3 day itinerary for exploring Lisbon on foot
– What not to miss in Lisbon Portugal on a budget
– Self-guided hiking day trip to Sintra

If you have questions or updates about travel to Lisbon during the Coronavirus crisis or post-pandemic, please let us know in the comments below.

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Disclaimer:
Please note, travel restrictions change frequently. Readers must take responsibility for verifying information through official sources like the State Department and CDC, in respect to their specific situations. No responsibility can be accepted by Intentional Travelers for action or inaction as a result of information provided through IntentionalTravelers.com. Any information provided here is issued as general information only.