Europe

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Avoid all but essential travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all but essential travel to whole country

Avoid all travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all travel to whole country

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

 

• There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  

• Around 1.6 million British nationals visit Portugal every year (Source: The Office for National Statistics).  Most visits are trouble-free but see General - Consular Assistance Statistics for statistics on when our Consulates provide support to British nationals.  
  
  
• 112 is the number for emergency services. Click here for a list of emergency expressions in Portuguese. 
  
  
• Be alert to the existence of street crime. Thieves tend to target money and passports so don’t keep them all in one place and keep a photocopy (or scanned copy) of your passport somewhere safe. See the Crime section for more details.
  
  

• Walking the levadas (ancient irrigation channels) is a popular activity in Madeira, but the walks can be challenging if you are inexperienced. See Safety and Security - Local Travel - Madeira.
  
  

• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to help cover any unexpected costs such as medical bills or stolen belongings.
  
  

• You should apply for a free European Health Insurance Card to be eligible for state provided medical treatment that may become necessary during your trip to Portugal. See Health.
  

• Print our pocket sized advice leaflet and wallet card before your visit to Portugal. The documents contain travel tips, numbers and expressions you may need in an emergency and information on what our Consulates can and can’t do to help.

Safety and Security - Terrorism
There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

See our Terrorism Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Crime
Crime remains comparatively low in Portugal but pickpocketing, handbag snatching and theft from cars and holiday properties are increasingly common in major tourist areas and can occasionally be accompanied by violence. Most thefts are a result of items being left unattended or thieves using distraction techniques, so remain alert and keep sight of all your belongings at all times in public. Be especially vigilant on public transport (particularly the popular numbers 16 and 28 trams in Lisbon) and at busy railway and underground stations.

Passports, credit cards, travel tickets and money should not be carried together in handbags or pockets. Leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place. Avoid leaving valuables in an unattended car, even for a short period; if you have no alternative, hide them in the boot before you reach your destination. Remember that foreign-registered and hire cars are often targeted by thieves.

You should report the loss or theft of your passport immediately to the local police and obtain a police report. You will need the report for insurance purposes and to obtain a replacement travel document from the Consulate. For further information on replacing a lost or stolen passport, see our Passport page.

Make sure that your holiday accommodation has adequate security measures in place and ensure that all doors and windows are locked at night or when you go out. If you are worried about security at your accommodation, you should speak to your tour operator or the owner.  You should familiarise yourself with the contact details of the local police. These can be found on their websites at PSP or GNR.

Sexual assaults are infrequent. Nevertheless, be alert to the possible use of ‘date rape’ and other drugs, including ‘GHB’ and liquid ecstasy. Purchase your own drinks and keep sight of them at all times to make sure they cannot be spiked: female travellers should be particularly watchful. Be aware that alcohol and drugs can make you less alert, less in control and less aware of your environment. If you are going to drink, know your limit and remember that drinks served in bars overseas are often much stronger than those in the UK. Avoid splitting up from your friends, and don't go off with people you don't know. See our Rape and Sexual Assault Abroad and Victims of Crime Abroad pages.

If out very late at night, be prudent, ensure you familiarise yourself with local surroundings, avoid walking in unlit, unpopulated areas and make use of the public transport services available.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Emergencies
In case of a consular emergency e.g. arrest, death, rape, hospitalisation, you should call the British Embassy on: 808 20 35 37 (if calling from Portugal); 00 351 21 395 4082 (if calling from outside Portugal).

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel
In Portugal, you drive on the right. If hiring a car, you should ensure that the vehicle insurance is fully comprehensive and covers you and your passengers for all eventualities.

As a tourist, you can bring your own vehicle to Portugal for a maximum of 183 days in any 12-month period. You must not use your vehicle for any other purpose than tourism or loan it to anyone else during that time. If you intend to stay longer, you must apply to the Portuguese Customs authority to have the car legally imported. You will be fined if you leave the country without your car.

The minimum age for driving is 18. You must possess a UK driving licence or an International Driving Licence. UK-issued provisional licences are not valid for driving in Portugal. In addition to your licence, you must also carry your vehicle logbook or rental contract, proof of insurance and MOT certificate (if appropriate) together with all other relevant documentation. There are heavy on-the-spot fines for those who fail to do so.

In the event of an accident or breakdown, you must place a red warning triangle behind the vehicle and wear a reflective vest if you get out of your car. You must wear seatbelts in the front and back of vehicles. Children under 12 must not travel in the front passenger seat. You must not carry spare (full) petrol cans in your vehicle.

Fines for traffic offences are substantial in Portugal. Speeding, driving under the influence of drink or drugs, the use of mobile phones whilst driving and illegal parking are heavily penalised. Small children must be in child safety seats with the seatbelts fastened in the back of your car. The police have the authority to fine on-the-spot and most of their vehicles have portable ATM machines to facilitate immediate payment. The Portuguese Highway Code can be found (in Portuguese) here.

As in many other European countries, there is a toll system in operation on Portuguese motorways. Heavy fines are imposed on those who do not or cannot pay toll fees.  

In December 2011, electronic (unmanned) toll gates were introduced on the following motorways:

Northern Portugal – A4, A17, A41, A42, A44, A24, A25, A27, A28, A29

Central Portugal – A8, A13, A19, A23

Algarve – A22

If you are driving to Portugal in a foreign-registered vehicle, consult the Portuguese Highways website prior to your trip for the various payment options available to you.

If you intend to hire a car on arrival, you should ensure that your rental contract sets out how the car hire company intends to charge you for any toll costs you may incur.  For more information, see the Portuguese Highways website.

If you are resident in Portugal or are a regular visitor and own a Portuguese registered vehicle, you can either subscribe to the automatic pay system “Via Verde” or opt for one of the other electronic devices in accordance with your own personal needs.

For further information, contact 707 500 501 (local call only) or e-mail the Portuguese Highway authority on duvidas.novasportagens@estradas.pt.

All other motorways have both manual and automatic payment options. Be careful not to use the green lanes on these motorways which are reserved for motorists who subscribe to the automatic pay system.

Driving regulations and customs are different from those in the UK and the accident rate is higher so please take care driving.

In 2010 there were 845 road deaths in Portugal (source: DfT). This equates to 7.9 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 3.1 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2009.

See our Driving Abroad page.

Safety and Security – Local Travel - Madeira
Walking the levadas (ancient irrigation channels) is a popular activity in Madeira, but the walks can be challenging if you are inexperienced. It is essential that you choose only the ones that are suited to your own standard of fitness and experience. You should be prepared for narrow, uneven paths and have a head for heights. Remember to wear suitable clothing and walking boots. Leave details of where you are going with your hotel reception and don’t forget to take your mobile telephone with you. Better still, join a group of walkers and go with a guide. Take extra care if it has rained as the ground may be slippery and unstable.

Some routes are currently undergoing maintenance to ensure they are safe for walkers. Find out before you set out which walks are safe and remember to keep to the recommend route.

For more information, see the Madeira Tourist Office official site.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Beaches & Swimming
Death by drowning occurs every year on Portuguese beaches and in swimming pools. The Maritime Police have the authority to fine bathers who disobey the lifeguard's warning flags.

Please take warning flags on beaches seriously. The red flag indicates danger: never enter the water when the red flag is flying. If there is a yellow flag, you may paddle at the water's edge, but not swim. The green flag indicates that it is safe to swim, and the chequered flag means that the beach is temporarily unmanned.

Do not swim at fluvial beaches i.e. that link to/from rivers or beaches without lifeguards. Do not dive into unknown water as hidden rocks or shallow depths can cause serious injury or death.

Signs warning of cliff erosion found on beaches, particularly in the Algarve, must be taken seriously. Falling rocks are a hazard and the authorities can fine those who ignore the warning signs.

For more information, visit the Instituto de Água’s website (in Portuguese).

See our River and Sea Safety page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Air Travel
Passengers flying to Portugal must give their date of birth, nationality and passport number to their airline before flying, as part of EU security measures. For more information regarding 'What to expect at the airport' and 'Advance registration before you travel' see Directgov's Air Travel pages and the Airline Security section.

Safety and Security - Political Situation
Portugal Country Profile

If you are caught consuming or in possession of drugs for personal use, you may be subject to a fine or another sanction (including the seizure of personal belongings). Selling or trafficking of drugs is a criminal offence and subject to severe penalties.

You must show some form of identification e.g. a passport if requested by the police or judicial authorities. This requirement is rigorously enforced when driving in Portugal. In other cases, it should be sufficient to carry a photocopy of the data page of your passport, but be prepared to produce the original document, if necessary. This may mean being accompanied by the police to collect it from your hotel. Please keep a photocopy of the data page separate from the original.

For more general information for different types of travellers e.g. disabled travellers, backpackers, sports fans etc see our Your Trip page.

Entry Requirements - Passport Validity
You must hold a valid passport to enter Portugal. For stays of up to three months your passport must be valid for the proposed duration of your stay; you do not need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this. However, it is always sensible to have a short period of extra validity on your passport in case of any unforeseen delays to your departure. You do not have to wait until your old passport expires to apply to renew it. Any time left on your old passport when you apply will be added to your new passport, up to a maximum of nine months. For passport applications in the UK, you should apply to the Identity and Passport Service. For stays of longer than three months, contact the Embassy of the country to which you are travelling.

Entry Requirements - Visas
As an EU national, you may remain in Portugal as a tourist for  up to three months. If you intend to stay for longer, you must apply for a Registration Certificate from the local Camara Municipal (Town Hall).

If you plan to live in Portugal, please visit our Living in Portugal section for advice and information.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children
A minor under the age of 18 travelling to Portugal must either:

• be accompanied by a parent or guardian, or

• be met at the airport or point of entry by a parent or guardian, or

• if not accompanied by parent or guardian, carry a letter of authorisation to travel from that parent or guardian. The letter should name the adult responsible for the minor during their stay in Portugal.
  
  

Resident Minors Leaving Portugal

A minor who is living in Portugal may be prevented from leaving the country if he/she is travelling unaccompanied and is not carrying a notarised letter of authority from a parent or guardian. The letter of authority can be issued by:

i)   one of the minor’s parents (if the parents are married)
ii)  the parent the minor lives with (if the parents are separated or divorced)
iii) one of the adoptive parents (if the child is adopted) or
iv) the minor’s legal guardian.

A standard form of words (in Portuguese) for minors exiting the country, may be downloaded from the Portuguese immigration service website. There are two options under “Saída de Menores de Território Nacional”. The first one is for use by Portuguese nationals; the second is for foreign nationals.

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance.

If you are visiting Portugal, you should obtain a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but it entitles you to state provided medical treatment that may become necessary during your trip. Any treatment provided is on the same terms as Portuguese nationals so if a Portuguese national is required to pay a fee towards their treatment, you would also have to pay the same fee. The EHIC does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. See our EHIC page and the NHS - About the EHIC page.

You should ensure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. You should also ensure that (if applicable) you take enough medication cover any unforeseen extended stays or emergencies.  If you are referred to a medical facility for treatment you should contact your insurance/medical assistance company immediately. Useful information about healthcare abroad, including a country-by-country guide of reciprocal health care agreements with the UK, is available from NHS Choices.

See our Travel Health pages for further advice on how to stay healthy when overseas.

The  2010 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic by the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 42,000 adults aged 15 or over in Portugal were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 0.6% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.1%. Exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. See our HIV and AIDS page for more information.

There is seismic activity i.e. minor earth vibrations on the Portuguese mainland and islands. For more information and daily updates, see the Portuguese Meteorological Office's website.

General - Insurance
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. Make sure you declare any existing illnesses or conditions you may have, check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See our Travel Insurance page.

If things do go wrong during your visit then see our When things go wrong page for advice and support.

General - Money
The currency of Portugal is the Euro.   

Most credit cards are accepted in large stores and restaurants in the main cities.  This may not be the case, however, in smaller towns and rural areas where cash (and sometimes debit card) is the only method of payment available.

If you are travelling to or from a country outside the European Union you must declare any cash of over 10,000 euros or more (or the equivalent in other currencies) to HM Revenue & Customs. For more information, click here

General - Consular Assistance Statistics
Around 1,685,000 British nationals visited Portugal in 2010 (Source: The Office for National Statistics). Most visits are trouble-free but some people require consular support. 418 British nationals required consular assistance in Portugal in the period 01 April 2010 - 31 March 2011 for the following types of incident: 211 deaths; 99 hospitalisations; and 28 arrests, for a variety of offences.