Germany puts Portugal back on green list from today

Germany has once again put Portugal on its green list of safe countries to travel to without requiring mandatory quarantine measures on return.

The German authorities had removed Portugal’s safe to travel status on 29 June. Now the German authorities no longer consider Portugal as an area of concern regarding Covid-19 variants and although still categorise Portugal as a country with a high incidence of the virus, have deemed it no worse than in Germany. The same decision was taken for India, Russia and the United Kingdom.
This change in status means that travel between the two countries can proceed normally from 7 July (today) according to information releases by the Robert Koch Institute. Travel was forbidden — expect for Germans or resident citizens, implying a quarantine of 14 days — from 29 June until 13 July.
With the lifting of the travel restrictions, anyone returning to Germany after a stay in Portugal will, nevertheless, have to show a negative Covid-19 test, a proof of vaccination or a proof of recovery from infection.
This documentary proof must be provided before entering Germany and presented to the airline company before departure.
Travellers may still travel without any of these three options, including the digital Covid-19 certificate if they go into self isolation for 10 days at home. This isolation can be cut short if on the firth day they test negative to the virus.
The German minister of health, Jens Spahn had already admitted that he was considering reviewing Portugal’s position since the infection in Germany of the Delta variant is over 70% in July.
The decisive factor for Portugal as a risk had been the spread of the Delta variant which is far more infectious than previous variants but has not spread in Germany at the same intensity.
Regarding the UK, the latest review saw Malta, Madeira, the Balearic Islands and several UK Overseas territories and Caribbean Islands (including Barbados) added to the government’s green list effective from 30 June.
Portugal is still off the UK’s green list, meaning travellers still have to self-isolate at home for 10 days on their return.
A review of countries within the traffic light system is due on Thursday, 15 July when tour operators and hoteliers in Portugal will no doubt be hoping that mainland Portugal will be added to the green list again.