The UK Foreign Office has updated its Portugal travel advice with a new warning for Brits travelling with children. Families heading to Portugal are being told about little-known rules that could affect their entry into the country.
Letter of authorisation required
Children aged 17 and under travelling to Portugal alone, or with someone who is not their parent or legal guardian, must carry a letter of authorisation to travel. The letter must be signed and dated by the child's parent or legal guardian, and the signature must be certified by a notary or solicitor. The notary or solicitor's signature must then be legalised by the Legalisation Office.
In addition to the letter, travellers need a copy of the parent or guardian's passport. The letter should include the child's full name, date of birth, passport number, dates of arrival and departure, reason for the visit, address where the child will be staying, details of the adult in Portugal responsible for them, and the parent or legal guardian's details including full name, date of birth, passport number and contact details.
Entry may be refused
The travel advice warns: "Be prepared to show the letter of authorisation to border officials on arrival and departure from Portugal. If you bring a child to Portugal without a letter of authorisation, your entry will be delayed and may be refused. Teenagers aged 17 and under who travel alone, or with friends of the same age, and who are not being met on arrival by a parent or guardian, may be refused entry if they do not have a letter of authorisation."
If you are the parent or legal guardian, you do not need a letter of authorisation. However, if your child does not share your surname, you must bring a copy of their birth certificate showing both parents' names, as well as a signed consent letter from the non-travelling parent, which must be officially notarised.
Check rules for other EU countries
These rules apply to Portugal, but if you are travelling elsewhere in the EU, check the rules for that individual country, as they can differ and countries may have their own criteria.
