Has anyone used Abbox Binax antigen tests to fly on TAP *to USA from Africa*? TAP flights from several african countries, e.g. Gambia, Ghana etc. Do we have any datapoints if TAP agents at these outstations accept the abbott test?

I assume this is also true for transit?

Edit: based on tap portugal website answer is yes.

Hi

With the updated rules from 1 December, can anyone confirm if a self test antigen is acceptable for travel to Portugal from the UK which comes with a travel certificate?

Most websites like Sherpa, travel docs, IATA or FCO seem to make no mention of the type of antigen test. Jet2 say in person test only and not video link or at home and visit Portugal says labratorial only so presumably meaning the same.

Due to fly in 5 days and I have purchased self test for the family but worried they may not be accepted.

Thanks for any clarification.

Hi all,

There for sure is some confusion and I'm not sure if it's down to bad translation, or lack of enforcement.

As stated here: Mandatory negative test for all flights arriving in Portugal, even for those who have a digital vaccination certificate, regardless of the point of origin of the flight or the passenger's nationality:

- RT-PCR Test (or similar NAAT test) - 72h before boarding, or
- Laboratorial Rapid Antigen Test - 48h before boarding, or
- A valid test or recovery EU Digital COVID Certificate, or

A accepted 'Antigen' test has to be in line with EU Guidance here: covid-19_rat_common-list_en.pdf (europa.eu)

It states 'Self Tests' are not accepted:#

The EU common list of antigen tests does not include rapid antigen self-tests. It only includes those rapid antigen tests that are conducted by trained healthcare personnel or trained operators where appropriate (in line with Commission Recommendation (EU) 20202/1743 of 18 November 2020).

This is where I am confused, do they mean ones such as the NHS tests (in the UK). Our private Antigen tests are on the list: Flowflex SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test as accepted. So are these self tests accepted or do we need to get someone to do it for us.

Very confusing and worrying considering our trip is next week!

I'm definitely confused! I had Covid in early November and have a UK NHS recovery certificate, which is apparently an accepted equivalent to an EU recovery certificate. The above suggests to me that I can use my recovery certificate in lieu of a test, but I don't want to arrive in Lisbon and get fined or sent home again! At the same time, taking an administered test is quite a bit of hassle and, having recently recovered, I stand a fair chance of testing positive. So many places say not to take PCR tests in the 180 days after original diagnosis/positive test result.

I reached out to Qured who in short did say a video supervised test is not considered a self test and thus valid. Lets see if that is the case in practice!

With so many companies globally offering different certificates, I do wonder how well the Portuguese authorities will be able to identify the test type they are looking for. Good luck, and please post how you get on with a Qured test.

I wouldn't chance loosing my flight over an uncertainty as that, the last few months when vaccine proof sufficed, there were people being turned away at YYZ (TAP check in) for the first 2 wks as staff were not properly updated on the new regs. I flew twice in that time span and both times I did an Antigen (at the Pharmacy) as back up....... the first time they didn't ask, but when I said I had it, they checked it, the second time there was no mention from either me or them, but ironically, I witnessed a check in rep. insisting that the passenger pronide a Negative covid test, until the representative next to her whispered that its not necessary. Just lack of communication that doesn't help matters.

I'll be doing a layover tomorrow morning and will have a pcr test for it, I'll be doing another layover on Tuesday and I'll be using the Webcam proctor US Abbott rapid test. Hope it works...

The risk is not that you will arrive LIS and be sent back; the risk is that you will be denied boarding at your point of departure due to no proper test documentation. If you get on the flight it is almost certain that you will also be allowed to enter Portugal.

@Warriorconcept - how did it go? I have a layover myself in a couple of weeks and was counting on using the US Abbott rapid test as well. Thanks!

I showed the results on the navienca app and went through without a problem.

I decided to take the risk and, fortunately, things went fine. I have a UK NHS recovery certificate that automatically appeared on my NHS Covid app vaccination certificate after I'd tested positive on an NHS PCR test about 50 days ago. I had seen many media reports saying a negative test result was required for all 12 and older entering Portugal. We were allowed to enter Portugal and enter a football match, restaurants, Lisboa Wonderland and everything else we wanted to.

Just FYI, TP currently states the following in their list of travel restrictions to America:

This is contrary to the CDC official mandate, which specifically mentions that America requires the test to be done the day before the flight (and not 24 hours before the flight):
I was on TP201 earlier this month and did my COVID test 28 hours prior to boarding. The check-in agent mumbled a few words about the 24-hour cut-off but the supervisor told her that "the wording was misleading" and that "the passenger can travel". I do not know how complicated it would have been if the supervisor had not been closeby because the whole check-in area at LIS was a circus of epic proportions.

Portugal apparently will no longer require negative tests for vaccinated people. Does anyone know since when? Since right now, since weekend, since Monday, since Feb 10th?


https://www.portugal.gov.pt/pt/gc22/...inistros?i=468