EU Travel During Covid

29 October 2020
Every week rules change in terms of travelling into the European Union, as well as how people move inside each country. 

The European Centre for Disease Control’s (ECDC) “traffic light” system recommends which countries can enter the EU space and, currently, travellers from Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay and China are the ones allowed to do it. Nevertheless, this is just a recommendation and decisions are made at national level. 

Portugal has decided that flights to and from other countries are possible only if they are deemed essential and are subject to certain conditions. 

According to the ECDC, areas are marked in the following colours:
  • Green if the 14-day notification rate is lower than 25 cases per 100 000 inhabitants and the test positivity rate below 4%;
  • Orange if the 14-day notification rate is lower than 50 cases per 100 000 but the test positivity rate is 4% or higher or, if the 14-day notification rate is between 25 and 150 cases per 100 000 and the test positivity rate is below 4%;
  • Red if the 14-day notification rate is 50 cases per 100 000 or higher and the test positivity rate is 4% or higher or if the 14-day notification rate is higher than 150 cases per 100 000;
  • Grey if there is insufficient information or if the testing rate is lower than 300 cases per 100 000.

Source: ECDC

Since travelling restrictions are implemented by each country, in case you would like to travel to Portugal, we recommend reading our National Health System (SNS) information available in this link

by Francisca Abrantes 12 August 2026
Learn how Portuguese tax residence, Double Taxation Conventions and different income types can affect international individuals.
by Joana Loureiro Veríssimo 7 August 2026
Working remotely does not automatically grant residence in Portugal. Understand the legal requirements and residence routes available to digital nomads.
by Jéssica Dos Nunes 5 August 2026
Discover the legal options for recovering commercial debts in Portugal, including injunction procedures, enforcement actions and cross-border debt recovery.
by Danielle Avidago 3 August 2026
Learn the legal routes to Portuguese nationality by descent for children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren under Portugal's updated Nationality Law.
by António Pratas Nunes 29 July 2026
Explore how DAC8 changes crypto-asset reporting in Portugal, including automatic information exchange and tax compliance requirements.
by Joana Torres Fernandes & Madalena Mourão 28 July 2026
Hiring in Portugal involves more than an employment contract. Learn the labour, immigration, payroll, Social Security and compliance obligations every employer should address before onboarding employees.
by Jéssica Dos Nunes 24 July 2026
Buying a renovated property in Portugal? Learn the legal risks, required property checks and why legal due diligence protects your investment.
by Javier Mateo 23 July 2026
Understand the 2026 changes to Portugal's nationality law and when children born to foreign parents may qualify for Portuguese nationality at birth.
by Jéssica Dos Nunes 21 July 2026
Learn why incorporating a company in Portugal is only the first step and how ongoing legal, tax and corporate compliance supports long-term business success.
More posts