Europe’s most famous singing competition takes place over the second week in May and will be broadcast around the world from the Altice Arena in Lisbon’s Park of Nations.
The first semi-final is being held on Tuesday 8 May, the second on Thursday 10 May, and the grand finale is on Saturday 12 May.
As well as reminding visitors to Portugal to ensure their passports are valid for the duration of the stay, the Embassy stressed Portugal will be imposing “tighter border controls on all travellers during the event”, and advised “allow extra time to transit passport control at airports, seaports and border crossings.”
It also advised EU visitors to “remember to bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) but also take out travel insurance; even if you’re only going for one night, it could save you a lot of money if you get into difficulties.”
The note also revealed that body and bag searches will be carried out at entry points to the Altice Arena, and listed a series of prohibited items, which include “selfie sticks, laptops, cameras, sound recorders, spray cans, lighters, lanterns, lasers, alcohol, backpacks and large bags, food, liquids, can and glass bottles, trolleys, umbrellas, helmets, chairs, fireworks and flares”, among other items.
Entrance to the Eurovision ‘Village’, set up in Terreiro do Paço, will also be controlled by police who will carry out body and bag searches at the entry point.
For full information, see: www.gov.uk/government/news/eurovision-song-contest-portugal-travel-advice