Restaurants in high or very high risk municipalities now require a digital certificate or negative test for Covid-19 for those who want to eat inside on Fridays from 7pm, throughout the weekends and during bank holidays.

The same certificate or negative test is also required for all tourist accommodation throughout mainland Portugal, regardless of the risk level applied.

The presentation of a digital certificate or negative test only applies to diners eating inside a restaurant and does not include pastry shops or cafes, and also does not apply to any meals served on terraces.

Four types of Covid-19 tests are accepted: PCR and antigen with laboratory results (included in the covid-19 digital certificate) and also self-tests, either done in person (at the entrance of the establishment) or before a health professional (in pharmacies, for example).


Where do the measures apply?

As for tourism, all establishments are covered but it is only necessary to present a digital certificate or negative test at the beginning of a stay.

In restaurants, the measure applies only to indoor tables, with the digital certificate or negative test being required on Fridays, from 7pm, and all day during weekends and holidays.

These rules now allow restaurants located in municipalities which are classed as either very high risk, to remain open until 10:30pm during weekends and holidays.

You also don't need a certificate or a negative test to go to the bathroom or make payments, if you eat outside the establishment (on a terrace, for example).

Whether in tourism or catering, children under 12 are exempt from presenting a certificate or negative test.


Are home self-tests acceptable?

It will not be possible to carry out self-tests at home and then take them to restaurants or tourist accommodation as they must be undertaken in front of an employee of the establishment.


When are digital certificates valid?

Digital vaccination certificates are valid 14 days after vaccination is complete and recovery certificates certify that more than 11 days and less than 180 days have passed since a positive test.

Test certificates, on the other hand, must result from a laboratory report, such as PCR (validity of 72 hours) or antigen tests (48 hours), with notification in the health system.

However, tests will also be accepted without giving rise to a certificate, such as those carried out in pharmacies or self-tests (provided they are carried out at the door of the establishment).


How to request the digital certificate?

In Portugal, it has been possible to request a digital certificate since 16 June, through the SNS 24 portal, where it is possible to choose the respective certificate: vaccination, testing or recovery.

It will also be possible to request the certificate in Espaços Cidadão, "with the exception of those located inside the Lojas de Cidadão".

After being validated, the digital certificate is accessible on the portal itself or can be sent by email.

Certificates can be read using a mobile app such as Passe Covid.

What is the European Union's covid-19 digital certificate for in Portugal?

Carriers can show that they are vaccinated, that they have had a negative screening test, or that they have recovered from the SARS-CoV2 infection.

Issuing the certificate, which includes a QR code with a digital signature to prevent forgery, is free of charge for the person requesting it.

In Portugal it can be used for cultural, sporting, corporate or family events, for example, weddings and baptisms, to access tourist establishments or local accommodation, and to access restaurants for indoor meals, on Fridays from 7pm and during weekends and holidays in high and very high risk councils.


What data and what security does the certificate have?

The document includes data such as name, dates of birth and information about vaccination, testing, and recovery, as appropriate.

According to the European Commission, these data remain in the certificate and are not stored when the certificate is verified in another Member State. All data relating to health are kept only in the country who issued the certificate.


What is needed to obtain the vaccination certificate?

According to the Directorate-General for Health, the certificate is issued after the administration of each dose of vaccines approved in the European Union, but containing the information if the vaccination schedule is complete.

For those who have been infected and who, for this reason, have only received one dose of the vaccine, as provided for by the DGS for those who have recovered from the infection, you can also have access to the certificate that attests that they have formally completed the vaccination.