More than 2.5million Brits visited Portugal last year, and it could be even more popular in 2026 due to the Iran conflict
Bookings to Portugal have surged since strikes on Iran began
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued updated travel guidance for those heading to Portugal. The update was released today (March 20).
Fresh information has been provided for individuals seeking to remain in Portugal beyond 90 days under exceptional circumstances. The updated guidance states: “If you’re visiting Portugal and need to extend your visa-free stay for exceptional reasons, such as a medical emergency, you must apply to AIMA using their contact form (access is only available to users in Portugal). If you’re in Portugal with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.”
It adds: “If you’re in Portugal with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.”
For British passport holders, visas aren’t required for short visits to EU nations or Schengen zone countries provided both conditions are met:
Your combined stay within the Schengen zone must not exceed 90 days within any 180-day period. The number of countries visited is irrelevant. The 180-day timeframe continuously ‘rolls over’, reports the Liverpool Echo.
EES
Since October 2025, the European Union has implemented the Entry/Exit System (EES), requiring travellers to provide fingerprints and photographs upon initial entry to or departure from the Schengen zone. It is scheduled to be fully operational by 10 April. However, the system has been plagued by teething problems, resulting in many travellers waiting for hours at airports. Because the system requires non-EU visitors – including Brits – to register their fingerprints and take a photo in person at the border, the additional registration time is already causing massive queues for non-European passengers at airports across the region.
It has caused such disruption that some locations have temporarily suspended its use. The European Commission has suggested that border authorities may pause the new system for up to six hours during peak travel times until September to help ease congestion.
READ MORE: Travel expert Simon Calder warning for anyone with Dubai, UAE or Bahrain flights bookedREAD MORE: Martin Lewis flags ’21-day rule’ for motorists to slash cost of driving
Portugal
More and more Brits are booking flights to Portugal as the conflict in the Middle East continues. Destinations like Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, and Dubai are being viewed as increasingly risky, so travellers are opting for safer alternatives like Portugal and Spain.
Bookings to Portugal had increased by 42% over the two weeks to 13 March, according to Thomas Cook – the largest rise in any of the countries they arrange holidays to. It was followed by the Balearic Islands (40 per cent) and the Canary Islands (16 per cent).
TravelSupermarket shared data on online search interest, which it said demonstrates a “clear surge” for European and Atlantic destinations and away from the Middle East.