Travel to a consulate during lockdown?

Hi again.

I don't think so, falls under the essential travel category; this link will take you to the UK Gov website that lists the what can be a ‘reasonable excuse’ to travel.

Just make sure you comply with the social distancing requirements, wear a mask and don't kick the ass out of it (i.e. try and use the trip to go sunbathing somewhere).

Hope this helps.

Cynic
Expat Team

Hi Cynic, awesome, thank you!

Great, I think this fits within:

For example, you may leave home to fulfil legal obligations, or to carry out activities related to buying, selling, letting or renting a residential property, for the purpose of picketing, or where it is reasonably necessary for voting in an election or referendum.

hazmog wrote:

Great, I think this fits within:

For example, you may leave home to fulfil legal obligations, or to carry out activities related to buying, selling, letting or renting a residential property, for the purpose of picketing, or where it is reasonably necessary for voting in an election or referendum.

That's what I read, but it's always better to get people to help themselves, then when the nasty policeman stops you, you actually know the answer, instead of trying tell him that Cynic said so.

Hope this helps and have a safe trip.

Cynic
Expat Team

Haha good point!

Cynic wrote:

hazmog wrote:

Great, I think this fits within:

For example, you may leave home to fulfil legal obligations, or to carry out activities related to buying, selling, letting or renting a residential property, for the purpose of picketing, or where it is reasonably necessary for voting in an election or referendum.

That's what I read, but it's always better to get people to help themselves, then when the nasty policeman stops you, you actually know the answer, instead of trying tell him that Cynic said so.

Hope this helps and have a safe trip.

Cynic
Expat Team

Do you think this holds true for flights to Portugal from the UK? We plan to fly over in early June.

Hi again.

That previous advice was for internal UK travel, not Portugal, so no I don't think it does hold true for flights to Portugal at the moment or at any point in the future.

The earliest I think that international travel will recommence is 17 May, but this won't be confirmed until 12 April when the latest report is reviewed; it will also depend on the destination country and I have no idea what Portugal have planned, although I recall on the news recently that they have been removed from the UK red list of countries.

The UK Government travel advice is on their website; this link will take you there.

My advice is not to make any firm plans until at least the next review (12 April) and even then, carefully read the travel restrictions.

Cynic
Expat Team

Thanks for this, Cynic.

I did read that travel is ok if you are genuinely, and can prove, you are moving home permanently or traveling for work. In my case it is both.

Do you think this is acceptable? I have a property and they want a deposit to secure it.

What more can I say?

The guidance document is here.  Those things you describe are listed as legitimate activities for which to travel.  But that's today; I can't guarantee it will be the same in a weeks time during which either the British or Portuguese governments can change the rules.

I've just checked the Portuguese Government website and there is no travel permitted between UK and Portugal until at least 31 March, when it will be reviewed.  I guess it depends on how the pandemic is doing around that time.

So, to answer your question, no you can't travel to Portugal.

Thank you.

Interesting, it does say:

Flights of humanitarian nature and for repatriation purposes of nationals and their family members, as well as holders of residence permit in Portugal are allowed only.

Does this mean someone with a visa can travel?

No, it means either Portuguese nationals or someone with a Portuguese residence permit can travel; a visa is not a residence permit.

Just to get back to you Cynic, I phoned VSF Global today and they said people were flying right now with a Visa - the chap I spoke to did not know of anyone being turned away.

hazmog wrote:

Just to get back to you Cynic, I phoned VSF Global today and they said people were flying right now with a Visa - the chap I spoke to did not know of anyone being turned away.

Then that's good news for you and yours; I hope you have a safe trip and a good future in Portugal.

hazmog wrote:

Just to get back to you Cynic, I phoned VSF Global today and they said people were flying right now with a Visa - the chap I spoke to did not know of anyone being turned away.

One last point.  We do have a Portugal Forum; I just checked and couldn't find you asking in there.  It may be an excellent idea for you to ask there if anybody has encountered any issues entering Portugal during this current lockdown.

Good point! I will check there too!