Portugal has admitted to fining more than 3000 passengers and dozens of airlines for failing to comply with COVID rules!

The Portuguese Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) has revealed that thousands of passengers and dozens of airlines have been fined in the last two months for trying to fly to Portugal without giving a negative COVID-19 test result.

Portugal has imposed strict travel rules from 1 December 2021, especially for those wishing to travel in areas severely affected by COVID-19. Authorities demanded that all aliens undergo a rapid antigen within 48 hours or a PCR test 72 hours before entry, while stressing that the testing process must be completed in laboratory conditions.

However, not everyone has complied with this entry rule. Data from MIA show that from December 1, 2021 to February 6, 2022, authorities fined more than 3.200 arriving passengers who did not test negative at the entrance test.

During the same period, the authorities also fined 41 airlines for passenger transport that did not comply with the country's entry rules. To ensure that everyone complies with the entry requirement when they arrive in Portugal, MIA has revealed that more than 1.191.100 passengers and 2.500 airlines have been inspected by the Aliens and Borders Service (SEF) and the Public Security Police. (PSP) from December 2021 to the beginning of February 2022.

During these checks, the responsible authorities were able to detect a total of 3.273 offenses. It was explained that passengers who did not meet the required tests were fined between 300 and 800 euros, while airlines carrying passengers without a negative COVID-19 test were fined between 20.000 and 40.000 euros for each passenger. .

The pre-entry test requirement when traveling to Portugal has been applied to all persons over 12 years of age.