Europe

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

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

Crime remains comparatively low in Portugal but pickpocketing, handbag snatching and theft from cars are increasingly common in major tourist areas. Take care of your belongings at all times.  Do not leave your bag on the chair beside you while eating or having a drink in a café or restaurant.  Do not hang it on the back of your chair or leave it unattended under the table.  Thieves often work in groups and create distractions with the aim of stealing.

There has also been an increase in the number of reported passport thefts.  Remember your passport is a valuable document.  It is expensive to replace and can lead to serious complications if your identity is later used fraudulently. 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 the Passport page of the FCO website.

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.  Do not leave any valuables in an unattended car.  Remember that foreign-registered and hire cars are often targeted by thieves. During the months of July and August 2009, groups of thieves in the Lisbon area were reported to be damaging tyres, especially those of hire cars, and then stealing personal belongings from cars after the driver has stopped to change the tyre. If you are approached by anyone alerting you that you have a puncture, do not stop, lock the car doors and call the car hire company for assistance.

Portuguese police recommend car windows and doors are closed and locked at all times while driving at night in urban centres.  Pedestrians are advised not to wear valuable jewellery or watches in public areas.

Personal attacks, including sexual assaults are infrequent.  Nevertheless, you should be alert to the availability and possible use of "date rape and other drugs, including "GHB" and liquid ecstasy. You should purchase your own drinks and keep sight of them at all times to make sure they cannot be spiked. Female travellers in particular should maintain a high state of personal awareness during their time in Portugal. Be aware that alcohol and drugs can lead to you being 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 stronger than those in the UK. Avoid splitting up from your friends, and don't go off with people you don't know. For more general information see Rape and Sexual Assault Abroad.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Portugal Country Profile

Local Travel

In addition to this general travel advice for Portugal, please also see the local travel advice for the region you are visiting, which can be found on the website of the British Embassy in Lisbon at http://ukinportugal.fco.gov.uk:

• Lisbon Area
• Portimao (Algarve) area
• Funchai (Madeira) area

Emergencies

In case of a consular emergency you should call the British Embassy on (+351) 213 924 000.

Road Travel

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 holidaymaker, 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 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 Permit.  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.

You must carry a red warning triangle to place behind the vehicle in case of accident or breakdown and a reflective vest for use if you have to get out of your car.  The wearing of seatbelts is compulsory in the front and rear of vehicles.  Children under 12 must not travel in the front passenger seat.  You must not carry spare (full) petrol cans in the vehicle.

Fines for traffic offences are substantial in Portugal.  Such infringements as speeding, driving under the influence of drink or drugs, the use of mobile phones whilst driving and illegal parking are heavily penalised.  The use of appropriate child safety seats and seat belts in the rear of the vehicle is compulsory.  The police have the authority to fine on-the-spot and most of their vehicles are equipped with portable ATM machines to facilitate immediate payment.  The Portuguese Highway Code can be found (in Portuguese) at: http://www.prp.pt/informacao/actualidades/act_00107.asp.

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.  You should take care not to use the green lanes 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. 

In 2007 there were 854 road deaths in Portugal (source: Autoridade Nacional de Segurança Rodoviária – http://www.ansr.pt).  This equates to eight road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.0 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2007 (DfT). 

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

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.

Warning flags on beaches should be taken 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 you may 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 or beaches without lifeguards.  Do not dive into unknown bodies of water, because hidden rocks or shallow depths can cause serious injury or death.  

For more general information see River and Sea Safety.

Air Travel

The revised EU-wide security measures that came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports in November 2006 are also being implemented in Portugal.  For more details about this see Airline Security.