The UK Foreign Travel Advice have issued updates for Portugal and Croatia as the summer holidays begin for families around Scotland.
As many head to the busy airports for the first time since the pandemic started, the UK Government have been issuing advice to remind travellers on how to prepare for flights as airports and airlines across the UK have been struggling under the pressure. One aspect that has caught many out is a passport rule that came into force in 2020 as a result of Brexit.
But of course, in 2020 international travel was off the cards for most and people are now realising that they need to be vigilant on how long their passport is valid for when travelling to Europe. Some were denied boarding as countries in the Schengen area require you to have at least three months left on your passport, with some requiring six.
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There was some confusion about these rules with some airlines refusing boarding and asking for six when the country of destination only required three months. The FCDO have updated their travel advice for Croatia to clarify.
Meanwhile, Portugal have updated their covid entry requirements as it prepares for a wave of holidaymakers this summer. Holidaymakers are encouraged to check they have all the correct documents before heading to the airport.
Croatia
Croatia is not part of the Schengen area, but does apply Schengen rules of entry. If you have been banned from entering Schengen countries, you will not be allowed to enter Croatia. Being part of Schengen area, means that tourists will need to follow the passport rules.
Your passport must be:
- Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
- Valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)
You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before October 1 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date - these dates will be invalid as it passes the 10 years since the passport was issued. You can travel to Croatia for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.
Portugal
Mainland of Portugal has lifted all its covid requirements. No passenger locator form is needed and no proof of vaccine or covid status is required from anyone.
However if you're travelling to the Azores, you will need to show proof of vaccinated or a negative PCR test or antigen test, or valid proof of recovery. If you’ve tested positive for Covid-19 in the last year, you can enter the Azores with a Covid-19 recovery certificate showing you recovered from Covid-19, no less than 11 days and no more than 180 days before you travel.
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