en 
Speaking to the BBC, Rita Marques said: “I do believe that Portugal will soon allow restriction-free travel, not only for vaccinated people, but those who are immune or who test negative. We hope to welcome British tourists from 17 May.”
Adding that the Covid-19 situation was now considered to be “stable” and that, “Everything will be ready by mid May.”
Further details regarding vaccine passports or testing upon arrival in Portugal were not discussed by Rita Marques.
While the Portuguese minister remains optimistic about welcoming Brits for the summer season, Portugal remains on the UK red list for travel, which means that anyone arriving from Portugal in the country still has to quarantine.
The status of Portugal, combined with foreign travel outside of the UK only being allowed for exceptional reasons, makes predictions as to when tourists from the UK will be able to return to Portugal for holidays unsure.
On 10 March, UK transport secretary Grant Schapps reiterated that travel from 17 May was the earliest possible date.
Schapps told the BBC that it was still too early to book a foreign summer holiday and stated that: “We have said it will remain illegal to travel internationally until at least 17 May - that’s an at-the-earliest date.”
He added that people should look for 12 April when a global travel taskforce report is due to be published giving further information on the travel situation.
“There are lots of questions the answer to which we simply don’t know yet about how safe it will be in June to travel around,” he said.
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have not set a date for the start of international travel.
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How is that going to work when such a small percentage of the Portuguese population has been vaccinated?
We have been locked in our homes,but suddenly it's ok to allow tourists back into the country?
The inconsistencies of this government are shocking beyond belief.
I don't care what the Hotel association has to say,the safety of the population of Portugal must come first and foremost.
Christmas was an unmitigated disaster brought about by egocentric politicians who ignored all the medical advice.
Parts of Europe are experiencing a new wave of infections.
For crying out loud lets get our own house in order before we open the floodgates of tourists.
We know there are fake test results,We know there maybe fake vaccination papers.
We should not to let tourists in until the system is watertight.We should not let tourist in until the Portuguese population has been vaccinated.
By James from Algarve on 12 Mar 2021, 08:51
HOW DO WE ALL KNOW THAT EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE IN MAY?!?!?!?
STILL TWO MONTHS TO GO!!!!!
DO NOT ANY MORE FALSE HOPES TO PEOPLE!! IT DEPENDS ONLY ON ALL OF US!!! KEEP IT TIGHT!!! STAY STRONG AND BEAT THIS VIRUS!!!!!
By Juno from UK on 12 Mar 2021, 09:28
Welcome Brits tourists, Yet leave your Legal Residents, Business Owner's and Taxpayers Stranded in Brasil by extorting them with high Return Airline Tickets after already Paying for Roundtrip...The World Is watching how Portugal Operates in Bad Time's and what it's been Hiding during the Good...Incompetent and Criminal...
By Sakamoto Saurez from Lisbon on 12 Mar 2021, 12:37
We have visited Madiera every year for 17years we love the island and the people cannot wait to return but only when it's safe for everyone we have flights booked from last year and look forward to going back
By Martin Davis from UK on 12 Mar 2021, 12:40
I agree 110 % with James from Algarve! We have been locked down what feels like forever and now the Government is letting in Tourists!! They are INSANE!! If the government really cared about the safety and we'll health of the Portuguese People they wouldn't let any Tourists in until after the whole population is vaccinated!!! I guess after the Tourists leave the Portuguese People will be looking forward to ANOTHER LOOK DOWN right!!! I am totally disgusted!!!!! They don't know what they are doing and that includes the DGS!!!
By Alda from Lisbon on 12 Mar 2021, 14:09
I am due to go to lisbon end of june. If Portugal residents haven't been vaccinated how is it safe to let other countries in even if they have been vaccinated. I say wait till all who what to has had the vaccine until aloud to travel.
By Helen from UK on 12 Mar 2021, 15:29
I agree completely.
For us living here it is general rule: Stay at home !!
I am not allowed to make small tour with MC, alone without meeting anyone.
I am not alowed to sit alone on a bench in a park or at the beach.
Restaurants can only serve take-away
But Brits are welcome here. What are they supposed to do ? Be locked into hotel rooms. With closed beaches, resaturants, no circulation on the road, stay at home rule. That would be OK. Do not leave hotel room for 2 weeks.
Or will we have different rules for tourists and permanent people ?
By Gustav from Algarve on 12 Mar 2021, 18:30
What absolute nonsenses. With less than 3% of the population of Portugal vaccinated and no relief in site this is absurd.
By J from Lisbon on 12 Mar 2021, 18:32
I totally agree with the above comment. It concerns me that we have not been vaccinated and yet Portugal is opening it's doors to tourists. I know the economy needs the income but surely residents of Portugal come first before tourists are allowed in. The country has done so well, let's not take any risks!
By Sue from Algarve on 12 Mar 2021, 19:18
I absolutely agree with James. I was shocked when the superspreaders were allowed in en masse for the Christmas holidays and we paid a heavy price. Portugal has done the classic shortsighted mistake of leaning heavily on tourism and the real estate building and price increases it brings without taking into account at all of the volatility of the tourist industry nor the destruction it causes to a place or a nation.
There are many activities that bring economic health without the major downsides of tourism. The governments, national, regional, and local should aim at the many other possibilities. A Socialist government should have more planning responsibilities than roughshod, short-visioned, unbridled capitalism - leave that to America.
By Jack from Algarve on 13 Mar 2021, 03:06
Mr. James from Algarve: thank you. In portuguese there´s a saying(rough translation)"domestic saints can´t perform miracles"(santos de casa não fazem milagres). Portuguese ppl try to point out the lack of sense in some measures, but to no avail; these ppl don´t care and are ruthless. Maybe you lot that haven´t always lived here but now do can support the rest of us in showing our gvrt some sense. Hence my thank you. It comes from a place of despair, it comes by looking at what is.
By guida from Lisbon on 13 Mar 2021, 07:37
Great that conditions are improving we enjoy visiting Portugal and have for many years but will not be returning. The reason is that your new law against motorhome means in this sad time You are forcing us into a confined area where we are more likely to get infected with Covid so we will have to stay away.
By Tony from UK on 13 Mar 2021, 10:31
Tenho viagem marcada pra julho pra passar 15 dias em algave vou fazer conexão em Londres gostaria de saber como fica meu caso tenho reservas em hotel prescio saber pra reagendar
By Ederlani from Other on 13 Mar 2021, 10:44
I think isn't good at all. It is very important to Pirtugal get fully secure in vaccination and other measures to avoid further spreading and virus mutations.
Please we need to get this right at this time. We don't need to spend more time living with uncertainty. Any quick measures for holidays and traveling will create more pressure with
potential risks to things to go back to earlier stages of Coronovirus Pandemic.
By Jose from Other on 13 Mar 2021, 12:56
Stay locked up forever James? Bore off
By Mike Hunt from Algarve on 13 Mar 2021, 20:59