Travel rules and advice for Madeira for travelling from London Heathrow and Gatwick airports
If you've decided to finally make that Pinterest board a reality this year and visit Madeira, you must ensure you're prepared. Madeira is a gorgeous island belonging to Portugal. It is an archipelago not too far away from the Canary Islands, and is just west of Morocco.
There's such a diverse culture, not to mention the gorgeous lush scenery, breathtaking mountains and stunning sandy beaches. Funchal is the capital, it's got a harbour and backs onto the hills. The city has gorgeous architecture with Gothic buildings and traditional markets to explore.
It's a fab destination for catching waves, and is a much loved surfing haven. There are plenty of great beaches to go for either a first time lesson or for seasoned surfers. Depending on what kind of holiday you are looking for, you could stay in the buzzy city centre in a apartment, or relax at a beachside resort.
Options are also available to lounge around in a mountain side villa, you can always rent a car or motorcycle to get around. So if you're thinking of booking a holiday to Madeira, or are heading away soon, make sure to read the travel rules and advice SurreyLive has put together, with guidance from the government website.
How to get there
If you're booking flights, there are around three flights a day from Surrey. You can fly from either London Heathrow, or London Gatwick.
British Airways and Iberia fly from Heathrow, and EasyJet flies from Gatwick. Most airlines offer nonstop options, including BA and EasyJet. Tap Air Portugal seem to stop off temporarily at Lisbon, then connect to the Cristiano Ronaldo airport from there (yes, it's named after the world-renowned footballer, he's actually from Funchal).
You can find Heathrow and Gatwick airports easily via the M25[1] in one of two directions. Both are easy enough to get to, but make sure to plan ahead in case of delays and road closures on the busy motorway route.
Passport and entry requirements
Your passport must be:
- issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the 'date of issue')
- valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the 'expiry date')
- If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.
While at the Portuguese border control, you may be required to show return or onward ticket, and prove you have enough money to sustain yourself while abroad. Check your passport is stamped when you enter, to comply with the 90-day visa-free limit.
A visa will not be required when entering Portugal, so long as you don't outstay 90 days . Children under 17 have to be accompanied by an adult, if travelling alone they will need a letter from their parent or guardian.
Vaccinations and health care
Around eight weeks before flying, double-check the vaccinations needed to enter the country. Standard vaccinations include measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and diphtheria, tetanus and polio (DTP).
Travellers should have a European Healthcare Card (EHIC), and travel insurance. Having an EHC will mean visitors can access state healthcare, but they should also have travel insurance just in case, especially for taking part in sports and activities. It would be a good idea to wear insect repellent, there are mosquitos and ticks at Madeira that might carry a host of different diseases like West Nile virus, dengue, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever and leishmaniasis.
No vaccinations to help fight these diseases are available, which is why prevention is so important.
Crime
While Madeira is a relatively low crime rate area, still remain aware of surroundings. This means looking after belongings such as phones, wallets, ID and handbags, and being wary while out and about. Don't leave items unattended, especially in cars or vehicles.
Report any theft, especially passport theft, to police immediately. Of course you will also need to make sure your accommodation is also secure. Lock entrances, windows and sliding doors when you enter and exit, and make sure you have a safe to put some belongings in.
Rules and regulations
It is mandatory, as in many other countries, to carry a form of identification on you at all times.
Sometimes carrying a photocopy is okay, but it's recommended to carry at least a driving licence just in case. Gambling on sites that aren't licenced are illegal, including even bingo. Anyone caught participating in this type of gambling could be arrested.
While driving is a good way to get around, you should have a good travel insurance. Check the toll system in Portugal too.
Personal safety
As mentioned, there's plenty of watersports and swimming to do in Madeira. With that being said, you should make sure to stay safe while participating in any activity.
There are strong undercurrents and tides surrounding the island, and may also be hazardous rocks hidden under the water on beaches. Should you find yourself caught in a riptide, advice is to swim parallel to the shore, until you are free from the current. Some might have heard of the Levadas - it's a famous water aquaduct network on the island.
It's more than 3,000 kilometres long, and you can walk alongside it. Walking alongside the Levadas can be dangerous, some have very sheer, steep drops down moutainsides. Other routes are slippery, and can cut through tunnels and caves, some parts have no fences or barriers at all, if you feel nervous, stop.
Make sure you alert your hotel or friend when you are leaving if you plan to explore the Levadas. Let them know where you are going, what route you will follow and when you plan on coming back. Wild weather can occur in Madeira, like earthquakes and wildfires.
Keep alerts on for the weather, and check the Met Office website.
The emergency service number in Madeira is 112.
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