At a Glance
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Average daily spend
g Need to Know g Contents
Forward planning is essential to any successful trip. Be prepared for all eventualities by considering the following points before you travel.
EU nationals may visit for an unlimited period, registering with local authorities after three months. Citizens of the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can reside without a visa for up to 90 days. For those arriving from other countries, check with your local Portuguese embassy or on the Camara Municipal website.
Camara Municipal
Visitors can get up-to-date travel safety information from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the US State Department and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
AUS
UK
∑ gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
US
An individual is permitted to carry the following within the EU for personal use:
Tobacco products
800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars or 1 kg of smoking tobacco.
Alcohol
10 litres of alcoholic beverages above 22 per cent strength, 20 litres of alcoholic beverages below 22 per cent strength, 90 litres of wine (60 litres of which can be sparkling wine) and 110 litres of beer.
Cash
If you plan to enter or leave the EU with €10,000 or more in cash (or the equivalent in other currencies) you must declare it to the customs authorities.
It is wise to take out an insurance policy covering theft, loss of belongings, medical problems, cancellations and delays. EU citizens are eligible for free emergency medical care in Portugal provided they have a valid EHIC (European Health Insurance Card).
EHIC
∑ gov.uk/european-health-insurance-card
No inoculations are necessary for Portugal.
Most urban establishments accept major credit, debit and prepaid currency cards. Contactless payments are gradually becoming more common in cities, but it’s always a good idea to carry cash for smaller items like coffee and pasteis de nata, or when visiting markets. ATMs are widely available across the city.
Portugal offers a diverse range of accommodation, varying from boutique hotels and villas to guesthouses, hostels and campsites. A useful list of accommodation can be found on the Visit Portugal website.
During the summer months, lodgings are snapped up fast and prices become inflated, so book in advance. Lisbon and Porto are popular short city-break destinations, and it can also be difficult to find a last-minute weekend booking during the low season (Dec–Mar). In some cities, as well as the Algarve, you will be charged a tourist tax on top of the price for the room (€1–2 per person each night). Hotels are required by law to share details of foreign visitors with local authorities.
Visit Portugal
The steep, winding streets in Portugal’s historic towns and cities can be challenging for wheelchair-users and those with prams. Facilities in Portugal have improved greatly, with wheelchairs, adapted toilets and reserved car parking available at airports and main stations. Ramps and lifts are installed in many public places and some buses (marked with a blue-and-white logo at the front) accommodate wheelchair users. Tour companies such as Tourism For All offer specialist holiday packages, while Accessible Portugal gives comprehensive advice on travelling with limited mobility.
Accessible Portugal
Tourism For All
English is widely spoken in Portugal’s cities, but the same cannot always be said for rural areas. While written Portuguese is fairly similar to Spanish, the idiosyncratic pronunciation of spoken Portuguese can demand several attempts to correctly enunciate even simple phrases. Attempting to communicate solely in Spanish may well cause offence.
Lunchtime
Some museums and public buildings are closed from noon until 2pm.
Monday
State-run museums, public buildings and monuments are closed all day.
Sunday
Churches and cathedrals are closed to tourists during Mass. Some public transport runs less frequently.
Public holidays
Most museums, public buildings and many shops are closed early or for the day.
Need to know Before You Go
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Need to know Before You Go
Need to know Before You Go
Power sockets are type F, fitting a two-prong, round-pin plug. Standard voltage is 220–240v.
Need to know Before You Go
| 1 Jan | New Year’s Day |
| Mar/Apr | Good Friday |
| Mar/Apr | Easter Sunday |
| 25 Apr | Freedom Day |
| 1 May | Labour Day |
| 10 Jun | Portugal Day |
| 13 Jun | Feast of St Anthony (Lisbon) |
| 20 Jun | Corpus Christi |
| 24 Jun | Feast of St John the Baptist (Porto) |
| 15 Aug | Assumption Day |
| 5 Oct | Republic Day |
| 1 Nov | All Saints’ Day |
| 1 Dec | Restoration of Independence |
| 8 Dec | Immaculate Conception Day |
| 25 Dec | Christmas Day |