You want to move and live in Portugal, but at the same time you also have corona that you have to take into account these days. Can you still just go and live in Portugal? This is of course a different story during corona. You think twice before you leave to live in another country.
But be honest: is corona really that big of a problem for you? moving to Portugal? Read on quickly and who knows, corona might not be a problem for your move abroad after all!
State of emergency Portugal
When the authorities in Portugal went into alert mode on 18 March 2020, people thought it would be for a few days. Of course, this turned out not to be the case and it all took a bit longer. During that period, no one was allowed to leave their home unless it was necessary. Just like it was in France and Spain at the time. And then you also had to be in possession of the necessary supporting documents. We can imagine that when you saw these things on the news at the time, you might have doubted your decision and thought 'I don't want to move to Portugal anymore'!
Current information Portugal
The situation has changed in the meantime. In the meantime, the majority of the population has been vaccinated and most measures have been lifted again. The only measure that still needs to be taken into account is wearing a face mask. This is mandatory for everyone over the age of 10. On the island of Madeira, this is even mandatory from the age of 6. These rules no longer apply outdoors, but only in all public indoor spaces. Think of public transport, shops and supermarkets. However, in case of crowds in the larger cities or in case of events, it is recommended to wear a face mask. Actually a bit like it was previously the case with the Netherlands or even almost all of Europe. You must also wear a face mask in the house if you cannot keep your distance with several households.
The islands of Madeira and Porto Santo
Furthermore, Madeira and Porto Santo have a curfew from 02:00 to 05:00 and São Miguel from 23:00 to 05:00. The rest of Portugal no longer has a curfew. This is of course also nice to know when you and your family are moving.
Travel advice Portugal
Going on holiday to Portugal is quite different from moving to Portugal, but the whole story about the entry requirements is the same. Mainland Portugal has a yellow travel advice and the Azores are green on the map. This means that travelling to Portugal is no problem for us Dutch people. There is also no quarantine obligation for us Dutch people upon arrival in Portugal. Also, don't forget that you have to wear a face mask on the plane from the age of 13.
Practical tips
When you travel to Portugal it does not matter whether you do this by plane or car. You must be in possession of a Corona certificate. You do this by showing your EU Digital Covid Certificate (DCC) in the Coronacheck app.
What evidence do you need to provide?
You must present proof of vaccination from an authorised authority, proof of recovery or proof of a negative test.
Vaccination certificate
Your vaccination certificate must show that you have been vaccinated and that you must have had your last vaccination at least 14 days ago upon entry.
Proof of recovery
Your proof of recovery must show that you have had COVID19 in the past 180 days. If you do not have both, you can also use a negative test certificate.
Test proof
This way, you can enter Portugal without any problems with a PCR test (72 hours before departure) or with an antigen rapid test (48 hours before departure). However, an antigen rapid test is only valid for mainland Portugal. So if you are moving to one of the islands of Portugal, for example Madeira or the Azores, you must be in possession of a PCR test.
Quarantine hotel
For the islands it is also possible to get tested upon arrival. However, you then run the risk of testing positive and having to go to a quarantine hotel. Also note that the costs for a possible quarantine hotel are at your own expense and can also be high.
Travelling within Portugal
So you see, living in Portugal during COVID19 is not that different from living in the Netherlands. Are you moving to Portugal by car or do you want to make a road trip through the country? Then the advice is to try to avoid contact as much as possible.
Accommodations
When visiting a hotel in Portugal, you are required to show your corona certificate upon arrival. This applies to all travelers aged 12 and over.
What is accessible?
Furthermore, the beautiful Portuguese beaches are simply accessible and the restaurants are also simply open. When you enter a restaurant you have to wear your face mask, but once you are seated at the table you can take it off, because of course you have to be able to eat normally.
Contact with the Netherlands
Of course, you can always keep in touch with family and friends by having a virtual drink via Skype or Facetime. Friends, family and acquaintances will often send you messages to ask how the situation is in Portugal, but fortunately Portugal is a country in the European Union and you don't have to worry. This of course makes it a lot easier when you move to Portugal.
Other matters
Furthermore, it is of course wonderful to enjoy the weather in Portugal for us Dutch people. Perhaps the weather is even one of the biggest reasons why you want to emigrate? The weather is not good in the Netherlands at all. In Portugal you can go for a nice walk in nature, a weekend away or a city trip in your own country.
Moving company
For moves abroad, it is highly recommended to hire a professional moving company. These experienced movers will transport your belongings safely and securely to your new home in Portugal. Due to their extensive experience with moves abroad, they will ensure that everything goes smoothly and neatly.
The costs of an international move
The average costs for an international move are difficult to estimate. This is because a move is always very unique and strongly depends on your personal situation. For example, one person has a large house with few furnishings. Another has a smaller home, but a lot of stuff. The accessibility of your home also plays a major role, as do the extra services you want to hire. That is why it is best to request quotes from different moving companies.
Where can I find an international moving company?
You can search online for international moving companies and request quotes. It is best to request quotes from several companies, because prices can vary quite a bit. We also understand that you may not have time for this at all, so we have come up with a solution for this problem!
Moova.nl
At Moova you can easily request online moving quotes from different moving companies. You do this by filling out a simple questionnaire after which multiple quotes from companies will be sent to you. This not only saves you a lot of time, but this way you can take your time to see which moving company suits you best or choose the most affordable company! We can't make it any easier for you!?
Finally..
Are you moving soon? Then take a good look at the requirements and try to look at the measures in Portugal so that you know exactly what you will be dealing with. This way you can easily start your move and start your life in Portugal.
