Portugal has relaxed its COVID testing rules for arrivals from lower-risk countries, including the UK.

It will now accept rapid antigen – or lateral flow – tests, as an alternative to PCR tests.

The Portuguese Immigration Service website says the antigen tests can be taken just 24 hours before arrival.

All arrivals over the age of two must provide a test to enter mainland Portugal, even if fully vaccinated, but arrivals who have had both jabs don’t need to be tested to enter the Portuguese island of Madeira.

Portugal was moved from the UK’s green list to the amber list on Tuesday, so holidaymakers must self-isolate at home for up to 10 days when they return.

However, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is not advising against non-essential travel to Portugal, so tour operators are continuing to take holidaymakers out there.

João Fernandes from Algarve Tourism said: “This will significantly lower the cost of travelling to the Algarve. In the meantime, we continue to implement strict social distancing measures and health and safety operating procedures to keep both tourists and residents safe.”