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.
Luís Maria Branco | Lawyer
Brexit changed UK citizens' residency status in Portugal. Learn how the Withdrawal Agreement affects permanent residence rights for Britons living in Portugal.
Discover Portugal's new Job Seeker Visa for qualified professionals. Find out eligibility requirements, application process, and career opportunities in 2025.
Comprehensive overview of Portugal taxation on ETFs, shares, bonds and crypto, covering capital gains, tax rates and resident regimes such as IFICI+ and NHR.
"Hiring Portuguese freelancers offers flexibility for foreign firms, but misclassification risks in contracts can lead to heavy penalties and unexpected liabilities.
Foreign companies must distinguish contractors from employees in Portugal, as each is governed by a distinct legal regimes with different obligations in Portugal.
Birth in Portugal doesn’t guarantee nationality. Under Article 1(1)(f), it depends on parents’ status at birth, residence, and absence of diplomatic service.
Portugal’s Parliament approved a bill to tighten immigration laws, signaling a shift from flexible policies to stricter, more regulated migration controls.
Portugal’s State Budget Proposal for 2026 continues the Government’s gradual approach to fiscal reform, maintaining stability while introducing selective tax relief for households and businesses.
Changing residence permit types in Portugal is possible under Law 23/2007 and its regulation, if the legal framework is carefully applied to evolving situations.