From holidays to second homes, Portugal in February ticks all the right boxes for Brits

Holidaymakers are becoming increasingly savvy when it comes to booking travel, with tour operator TUI observing, “a trend of ‘test-free holidays’ for customers who are fully vaccinated, as people look to go abroad with ease and without the added expense of testing.”

This means that some countries are winning big when it comes to drawing in the half-term hordes, while others are missing out. Travellers to Portugal from the UK, for example, no longer need to test when they travel, provided they can show a valid vaccination certificate.

The Portuguese government is also pragmatic enough to accommodate those who, for whatever reason, cannot show a vaccination certificate. Those travellers can instead provide evidence of a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel.

This flexibility means that Portugal is winning over travellers where other countries are missing out. Spain, for example, requires that all arrivals over the age of 12 must be double vaccinated, meaning that many travellers have changed their half-term plans to avoid the country. According to Jorge Marichal, president of the Tenerife Hoteliers Association, the rigid restriction is likely to see the hotel sector in the Canary Islands lose out on nearly €400 million, let alone its impact on other parts of the hospitality and leisure industry.

Ease of travel isn’t families’ only reason for choosing Portugal in February. Those heading to the Algarve can look forward to plenty of sunshine. A quirk in the local weather means that February in the Algarve experiences less average rainfall than any month outside of June, July and August, plus highs of 18°C. And as February is so much quieter than the summer months, families have the pleasure of enjoying the beaches to themselves. While the weather is too cold for most locals to head to the beach, it feels positively balmy to those who’ve just endured a British winter – even a mild one.

According to real estate agency Ideal Homes Portugal, February is also a great time to explore the potential of Portugal as a second home destination.

“Those looking to establish a deeper relationship with Portugal by buying a second home here can enjoy plenty of benefits by visiting in February. There’s the chance to view properties and explore different areas without the summer crowds milling around, with social distancing very easily achievable. There’s also time to think about mortgage options without feeling rushed into anything, as this is traditionally a quieter time for the market than the peak summer months.”

Chris White, Chairman & Founder, Ideal Homes Portugal