Portuguese Azores on Green List

Please see below for more information about PCR testing requirements for arrival in the Azores and the UK from 17 May 2021.

Guests departing from the UK and staying in the Azores for 7 days will need to complete 2 PCR tests in the UK, 2 PCR tests in the Azores and 2 passenger locator forms. Guests who are staying in the Azores for more than 7 days will be required to complete additional PCR tests.

You will be given between 35 and 50 euros in vouchers to spend in the Azores if you provide a negative Covid test when you arrive

Summary of PCR tests and health forms required:

1st test within 72 hrs before arrival in the Azores (min cost £60 Ryanair customers)

2nd test in the Azores 6 days after the 1st test (paid for by local authority in the Azores).

(Note: if staying for more than 7 days in the Azores additional tests may be required paid for by local authority).

3rd test within 72 hrs before arrival in the UK (approx 90 euros locally).

4th test within two days of returning to the UK (min cost £60 Ryanair )

Note: Children are not required to take tests. See links for full guidance on testing below.

Health Forms

NOTE: Your airline will direct you to complete these forms after check-in as at this stage, your intended arrival is confirmed and they have internal procedures for ensuring all passengers have complied with local regulations (for which they are responsible as the carrier). Please ensure you are guided by your airline to complete the health forms below after check-in.

Azores form: Passenger locator form for arrival in the Azores

UK form: Passenger locator form for arrival back in the UK

Example PCR Testing Schedule

Example PCR testing schedule for guests holidaying in the Azores for 7 nights and departing from the UK starting from 2 days before departure (Day 1) below:

Day 1 – Test 1 for entry into the Azores. You will require evidence of a negative PCR test that has been performed in the 72 hours before departure in digital or paper format.

Day 2

Day 3 – Arrival day in the Azores

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6 – Test 2 in the Azores (required by Azores authorities and paid for by the local authority in the Azores. Guest to pay for taxi transfers to test site if needed)

Day 7 – Test 3 in the Azores (required by UK authorities for entry into UK). It is possible that test 2 above may be done on day 7 instead of day 6 (meaning test 3 would not be needed) BUT this is not guaranteed and is subject to your departure timings (this test needs to be performed within 72 hours of return to the UK and you need to ensure it is valid when you land in the UK). See below.

Day 8 – Test 3 may be done on this day as a private test and paid for by guests (if test 2 and test 3 cannot be combined). See below.

Day 9

Day 10 Departure day from Azores and arrival back in UK

Day 1

Day 2 – Test 4 (test to be performed on or before day 2 after return to UK).

Please ensure you follow official guidance from the UK and the Azores:

Coronavirus – Portugal travel advice – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing before you travel to England – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Procedures To Be Adopted In The Azores (RAA) For Receiving Tourists 20 04 2021 EN (002)

FAQ’s regarding Covid PCR Testing requirements

How do I book the PCR test required by the regional authority in the Azores on day 6?

Note: the 6th day is counting from the day when the 1st test was made.

On arrival at the airport in the Azores, you may be informed that you will be contacted to book the day 6 test. You can if you wish send an email or telephone to the testing centre to organise your day 6 test. Email: [email protected] (Mobile +351 930 573 354 Phone +351 296 284 713). On the email to the testing centre you must include the following information:

Full name;
Mobile contact/email contact;
Date when the 1st test was made;
Date when you arrived in São Miguel;
Place where you will be on day 6.

When is the day 6 PCR test result received?

The test result can be received in 24 hours but can take longer. There is no guarantee that the test result can be delivered by a specific time or date.

Can I use the day 6 PCR test required in the Azores for entry back in the UK?

The day 6 test must be performed 6 days after your first test for arrival into the Azores. You can ask on arrival in the Azores or when you contact the test centre if you can take this test on day 7 (if you think it will work with your timings so you can use the test to comply with entry requirements when returning to the UK). This will also depend on availability at the laboratory. Note: the test result provided must also comply with UK regulations and you may need to ask for a paper result in English (otherwise a text message will be sent which may not have the correct format). If you are able to complete a test on day 7, please request the test result in paper in the correct format for entry back into the UK including:

What information must be included in the PCR test result for entry back into the UK?

Your test result must be in either English, French or Spanish. Translations will not be accepted. You must provide the original test result notification. It must include the following information:

Your name, which should match the name on your travel documents
Your date of birth or age;
The result of the test;
The date the test sample was collected or received by the test provider;
The name of the test provider and their contact details;
Confirmation of the device used for the test, or that the test was a PCR test.

More info: Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing before you travel to England – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Where can I purchase a private PCR test in Ponta Delgada in the 72hrs before arrival back in the UK?

Laboratory “Forjaz Sampaio” in downtown Ponta Delgada perform private Covid PCR tests for approximately 90€ paid directly to the lab. The test result may be received the same day or the day after and guests can request the result in English with the following information to comply with UK regulations:

Your name, which should match the name on your travel documents
Your date of birth or age;
The result of the test;
The date the test sample was collected or received by the test provider;
The name of the test provider and their contact details;
Confirmation of the device used for the test, or that the test was a PCR test.

We would advise guests to book the time of this test as per guidance issued by the UK Government here: Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing before you travel to England – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). We would suggest that you make your appointment for your PCR tests when you arrive in the Azores. Ask your hotel reception to do this for you and for details of the location of the laboratory in Ponta Delgada. They will also be able to book taxi transfers for you should you need these to get to and from the lab.