PORTUGAL
We have gathered some useful information to help you plan and best prepare for your next adventure to Portugal! Browse through the information below or visit our travel bonanza for more stories and tips!
HEALTH AND SAFETY
EU / EEA citizens are entitled to emergency care under the EHIC in Portugal's public hospitals or health centers. As in other countries, private travel insurance will insure against hefty health treatment bills.
It is safe to drink the water from taps and springs all across Portugal​. It is advisable to keep it stored in a cool place, especially on hot days.
Pharmacies are usually open between 9am and 7pm between Monday and Friday. In more rural areas of Portugal, pharmacies might be closed for lunch and on Saturdays the opening hours are shorter between 9am and 1pm. Some pharmacies operate a late night emergency service, which is signposted by the illuminated green cross outside the pharmacy. Every pharmacy in Portugal has a list in the window with the details of the closest emergency pharmacy.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Citizens from the EU/EEA will require a valid passport upon entering Portugal. Unless traveling from states with visa exemption agreements with the EU, non-EU citizens will require a Visa upon entering Portugal.
SARS-COV2 INFORMATION
You can find up-to-date health and travel advice in relation to the ongoing COVID19 pandemic and traveling to and in Portugal, please visit the pages of the Portuguese Tourist Board.
MONEY AND PRICE LEVEL
Portugal is one of the original member states of the Eurozone. Twenty-four hours ATMs can be found anywhere in Portugal, usually they have a maximum daily withdrawal of € 200 or € 400, depending on the area. All have on-screen instructions in Portuguese, English and other languages. Banks are the easiest place to exchange money and charge a small commission between 3 and 5%. Debit and credit cards, especially visa and mastercard, are widely expected, but it is advisable to always carry some cash for small expenses and in the more rural areas.
It varies with the area and where you shop/dine, but overall,
Portugal is not an expensive country. Many restaurants offer a lunch menu for € 6 - 8 including a main, side, drink and quite often a small dessert. Portions in Portugal tend to be decent. A soft drink, beer or glass of wine would cost around € 2. Tipping is not obligatory in Portugal, but it is common to tip around 10 - 12% for good service. Sometimes a service charge is already included in the bill.
OPENING HOURS
In bigger towns acros Portugal, shops are open between 9am and 7pm and shopping centers may stay open even longer until 11pm. In rural Portugal, shops often close at 1pm on Saturday and are closed on Sunday. They also often close for lunch between 1 and 3pm.
Banks are open between 8:30am until 3pm Monday to Friday.
Museums are closed on Mondays and common opening hours are between 10am and 5pm.
ELECTRICITY
The voltage in Portugal is 220V/50hz and sockets fit the standard European plugs with two rounds.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
January 1
New Years Day
Friday before Easter
Good Friday
Monday after Easter
Easter Sunday
April 25
Freedom Day / Day of the Carnation Revolution
May 1
Labour Day
60 days after Easter Sunday
Corpus Cristi
June 10
Portugal Day
August 15
Assumption of Maria
October 5
Day of the Republic
November 1
All Saints Day
December 1
Restoration of Independence Day
December 8
Immaculate Conception
December 25
Christmas Day
FESTIVITIES & EVENTS
All Portugal
Carnival with festivities and parades
Late January / early February
All Portugal
Holy week Easter processions
Week running up to Easter
Coimbra
Queima das Fitas - end of the school year celebration
Early May
Barcelos
Festas das Cruzes - traditional processions and rich flower decorations
Early May
Fatima
Appearance of the Virgin Mary pilgrimage
May 13
Lisbon / Porto
Several Rock music festivals
June and July
Lisbon
Santo António - celebration of Lisbon’s patron saint
June 12 and 13
Porto
São João - celebration of Porto’s saint
June 23 and 24
Santarem
Feira Nacional da Agricultura - agricultural fair
June
Vila Franca de Xira
Festa do Colete Encarnado - Pamplona-style bull running through the town
Early July
Tomar
Festa dos Tabuleiros - major traditional event
Early summer every four years
Nazare
Romaria da Nossa Senhora - traditional festival
September
Lisbon
Santa Casa Alfama - fado festival in the Alfama quarter
September
Golega
Feira Nacional do Cavalo - equestrian festival
Early November
