Planning a Portugal trip? Here are the travel documents you need

Is the beautiful Algarve calling your name? Or how about a sunny city break in Lisbon? Getting to Portugal from Ireland right now is hassle-free. Here’s everything you need to know.

1. Check your passport is in date

Passport been in a drawer for months on end? Take it out now and make sure it’s still in date. Irish passports can be renewed from anywhere in the world using Passport Online. Irish citizens can apply for renewals online here.

2. Have your EU Digital Covid Certificate (DCC) at your fingertips

The EU Digital Covid Certificate is proof that you have either:

• been vaccinated against COVID-19 or
• received a negative COVID-19 test result or
• recovered from COVID-19 in the last six months

Your Covid Certificate is key to helping you travel safely and easily within the EU right now. Save it on your Covid Tracker app for easy access. Simply open your Covid Tracker app, click register my Covid Certificate and scan the QR code on your Covid Certificate.

You’ll need to show your Covid Certificate at your departure and arrival airports and when you’re checking into a hotel in Portugal.

Not vaccinated? On arrival in Portugal you’ll need to show a diagnostic negative Covid test issued within the 48 hours before your arrival.

Accepted tests are molecular nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), like the RT-PCR test and the antigen detection tests included in the common list of rapid antigen detection tests for Covid-19 of the European Commission. The certificate must include at least the following information: country, name and surname of the traveller, type of test, date of sampling.

See you options for how and where to get a Covid-19 test.

3. Check in for your flight online

We recommend that all passengers travelling within Europe check in online. Download the Aer Lingus app, check in and save your boarding pass on your phone.

If you’re travelling from Dublin Airport you can drop your cabin bag for free at the Express Bag Drop in our check-in area.

4. Complete a Portuguese Passenger Locator Card online

All passengers travelling to Portugal from Ireland need to fill out an online Passenger Locator Card and have the QR code ready to show on arrival in Portugal.

This can only filled in once you have checked in and you have your seat number for your flight. The form needs to be completed no more than 48 hours before you fly.

What do I need to complete the Passenger Locator form?

 To fill out the Passenger Locator Form, you need to have to hand:

• Your passport
• Information about trip – arrival date, flight number, airline name, seat number
• Information about your stay in Portugal – address(es) of where you’ll be staying
• Email address

You’ll find all the information you need about the Passenger Locator Form here.

5. Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form for returning to Ireland

Passengers entering Ireland need to complete a Passenger Locator Form. This can be done online within 72 hours before your arrive in Ireland. You need to checked in for your flight and have your seat number before you complete the form.

Once you have completed the form, you’ll receive an email receipt – you will need to show this on arrival in Ireland.

To fill out the Passenger Locator Form, you need to have to hand:

• Your passport
• Information about your trip – arrival date, flight number, airline name, seat number
• Email address and mobile phone number
• Place of residence in Ireland

6. Mask up in the air and in public indoor spaces in Portugal

Masks need to be worn at all times in the airport and on board. And just like in Ireland, when you get to Portugal, masks need to be worn in all public indoor spaces. Pack plenty of extra masks for your trip.

7. What happens in the airport

Your passport, boarding pass and Covid Certificate will be checked by our staff before you board.

When you arrive in Portugal, your Covid Certificate and your Passenger Locator Card QR code will be checked.

When you return to Ireland, your passport, your Covid-19 Certificate and your Passenger Locator Form will be checked. Make sure to keep these documents at your fingertips on your phone.

Download the VeriFly app to get your travel documents verified before you leave home, for peace of mind and a quick and easy trip through the airport.

Get inspired for your trip to Portugal with our latest #LetsFly travel series Algarve episode.

Information in this article is correct as of 10 September 2021.