Portugal

Petty crime

Bag snatching, pickpocketing and theft from cars occurs, especially in summer peak tourist season.

Pay attention to your belongings at:

• tourist attractions and museums
• railway stations and cruise terminals
• restaurants and hotel foyers
• beaches

Be alert to theft on public transport, especially the:

• E28 tram to the Castle of Sao Jorge
• E25 tram to Prazeres
• E15 tram to Belem

To keep your valuables safe:

• keep your passport and other identity documents separate
• use ATMs in banks, shops and shopping centres, not on the street
• don't leave your bag on the back of the chair or at your feet in restaurants or cafes

Put a card with your contact details in your wallet. Tourist police will contact you if someone hands in your lost or stolen property.

Theft from vehicles 

Thieves target vehicles with foreign licence plates and rental car stickers. They pretend you have a flat tyre or other problem to get drivers to pull over.

Thieves target parked cars:

• at the Moorish Castle and Pena Palace in Sintra
• around the beachfront areas of Guincho, Ericeira, Cabo da Roca, Boca do Inferno and in the Algarve

To protect your belongings in your vehicle:

• keep car doors locked and luggage out of sight, when driving and parked
• use a secure parking facility, especially overnight
• don't leave your vehicle unattended for long periods
• avoid hire cars with rental company stickers 

Violent crime

Robberies and assaults on foreigners occur in Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve area, including at popular tourist locations.

To reduce your risk of violent crime:

• avoid walking in quiet and poorly lit streets, especially at night
• monitor the media for updates on safety and security risks

Drink spiking

Foreigners have been robbed and sexually assaulted after having their drinks spiked at night clubs. 

To avoid being a victim of drink spiking:

• don't accept drinks from strangers or leave drinks unattended
• stick with people you trust in bars and nightclubs

More information:

• Partying safely

Scams and fraud

Accommodation scams, particularly in Lisbon and the Algarve, are on the rise. Book accommodation using secure payment platforms and trusted websites.

Don't agree to compensate drivers for alleged damage to their vehicles. Always contact the police.

More information:

• Scams

Sea travel

Currently you can't disembark from a cruise ship in Portugal if you're an Australian citizen. COVID-19 cases have been reported on cruises on the Douro river.

Criminals target cruise ship passengers at the terminals.

Pay attention to your personal belongings when leaving cruise ships or transferring to buses and local transport.

More information:

• Going on a cruise

Demonstrations and protests

Strikes and public demonstrations occur, mainly in Lisbon and Porto. These can affect transport services including buses, trains, metro, ferries and flights.

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

To stay safe during periods of unrest:

• avoid crowds, protests and demonstrations
• check local sources for information on possible strikes or unrest
• follow the advice of local authorities
• contact your travel or tour operator about disruptions to travel

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

While there have been no recent terrorist attacks in Portugal, they can still happen.

In recent years, terrorists have staged attacks in a number of European cities.

Targets have included:

• public transport
• transport hubs
• public places popular with foreigners.

Some planned attacks have been disrupted by European security services.

To protect yourself from terrorist threats:

• be alert to possible threats in public places
• exercise caution in locations that could be terrorist targets
• report suspicious activity or items to police
• monitor local news for new or emerging threats
• take official warnings seriously
• follow the instructions of local authorities

If there's an attack, leave the area as soon as it's safe. Avoid the affected area in case of secondary attacks.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorism

Deaths by drowning occur every year on Portuguese beaches and in swimming pools. If you disobey lifeguard warnings or flags, you could be fined.

Never leave belongings unattended on the beach or in vehicles parked at beach carparks. Youth gangs meet along the beaches between Lisbon and Cascais and have robbed beach-goers.

Take coloured warning flags on beaches seriously:

• red — danger, don't enter the water
• yellow — you may paddle at the water's edge, but not swim
• green flag — safe to swim
• chequered — lifeguards not present

Pay attention to signs about cliff erosion. Remain behind the barriers at viewing spots. Falling rocks are a hazard, particularly in the Algarve. You can be fined if you ignore warning signs.

Follow local advice if jellyfish are present.

Portugal experiences natural disasters and severe weather, including earthquakes and fires.

During a natural disaster or severe weather:

• monitor the media and other sources, such as the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• follow the advice of local authorities

More information:

• Floods and fires
• Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (Portugese)

Earthquakes

Portugal is in an active earthquake zone and experiences regular earthquakes.

Bushfires and forest fires

Bushfires are common during summer (July to September), including near coastal and tourist areas.

Large forest fires have caused hundreds of deaths and injuries in recent years.

Causing a bushfire is an offence, even if it's an accident.

Check the Portuguese Metereological Service and Portuguese National Civil Protection Authority for fire warnings and updates during bushfires.

This advice pre-dates COVID-19 and the Australian Government’s travel ban for all Australians.

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.

Confirm:

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. Consider whether you may be in a vulnerable category for COVID-19. Many hospitals in Portugal are full and under strain.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you need counselling services while overseas, contact the Australian Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 and ask to speak to a Lifeline telephone counsellor.

More information:

• General health advice
• International travel and health

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Portugal. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.

You can carry prescription medicines for personal use into Portugal.

To receive medications by post, you may require an import permit.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medicine is
• how much you take
• that it's for personal use

Portuguese pharmacies usually carry similar medications to Australia. They may be a different brand or dosage. You may need a prescription from a local doctor.

More information:

• Medicine

COVID-19

COVID-19 remains a risk in Portugal. A public health plan is in place. The rate of new COVID-19 infections in Portugal is at record levels. Monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities. Advice and information is available from the Directorate of Health (available in English by clicking on the globe symbol).

More information:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Department of Health)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Other health risks are broadly similar to those in Australia.

Medical facilities

The Portuguese health system, including hospitals, is focused on the COVID-19 response. Many hospitals are at capacity. You may experience difficulties or delays in accessing non-emergency health care throughout 2021.

The standard of private medical facilities in major cities is comparable to Australia.

The standards of public facilities in regional and rural areas vary.

Treatment costs are high, especially at private facilities.

You may need to pay before doctors and hospitals will treat you.

You may need to confirm insurance or guarantee payment before a private hospital will admit you.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Drugs

Possession and use of illegal drugs is an administrative offence and can attract large fines.

Selling or trafficking of illegal drugs is a criminal offence. Penalties are severe and can include jail sentences.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Gambling

Gambling is legal in venues licensed by the government, such as official casinos.

Gambling is illegal in unlicensed venues. Organisers, players and anyone on the premises may be charged, fined or jailed.

Check you're entering a licensed gambling venue.

Other laws

You must carry photo ID in Portugal.

You can be fined if you ride an e-scooter or e-bike under the influence of alcohol.

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Portugal recognises dual nationality.

Authorities consider a dual citizen living in Portugal to be Portuguese.

More information:

• Dual nationals

Portugal is part of the Schengen area. This allows you to enter Portugal without a visa in some circumstances.

In other situations, you'll need a visa.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. For details about visas, currency, customs and other travel requirements, contact:

• the Portuguese Immigration and Border Service
• an embassy or consulate of Portugal

More information:

• Visit Portugal

Entry into Portugal

Many countries including the UK and Germany have banned flights and travellers from Portugal due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Portuguese citizens are restricted from leaving Portugal until 14 February 2021. While foreign passport holders are not affected and Australians are still permitted to enter Portugal by air, these new measures may severely limit the number of flights in and out of Portugal. Many countries have already banned travellers from Portugal.  

From midnight 31 January 2021, crossings at the land border with Spain are suspended, except for cross-border workers, freight and people returning to their normal place of residence.

From 31 January 2021, crossings at the land border with Spain are suspended, except for workers, freight and people returning to their normal place of residence. 

To enter mainland Portugal you are required to obtain a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test taken in the 72 hours before the flight’s departure. If you do not have a valid test you will be turned away. If you’re flying into Madeira or the Azores, whether from mainland Portugal or elsewhere overseas, you’ll need to show a negative COVID-19 test obtained in the 72 hours before the flight’s departure or undergo COVID-19 testing or quarantine on arrival.  

Entry into Portugal from the UK is restricted to Portuguese citizens and foreign nationals with legal Portuguese residency. Contact your travel operator for further information.

Portuguese Immigration (SEF) provide information in English on the current entry requirements. Regulations are being interpreted inconsistently by airlines and border officials. Some Australians have been prevented from boarding at their point of departure or turned back on arrival in Portugal. Contact your airline or nearest embassy or consulate of Portugal for the latest information, including on travel exemptions and pre-flight COVID testing requirements. These measures may change at short notice. 

A strict lockdown and State of Emergency is in place across the country (excluding islands of the Azores). You’ll be confined at home unless you have a justifiable reason to go out. Movement is restricted to your local municipality unless you have an authorisation to leave such as from an employer. Police are checking identity papers and issuing on the spot fines for being outside your area of residence without good reason. Strict hygiene and social distancing rules are in place, including gathering limits and compulsory use of face masks in public. Fines for non-compliance doubled on 15 January 2021.

Depending on where you’re coming from, check to see if you need a special exemption to travel for a professional, study, family reunion, health or humanitarian reason, contact the closest embassy or consulate of Portugal.  

The rules for transiting Portugal on an international flight connection depend on your point of departure and final destination. Check with your airline or travel agent. Contact the Australian Embassy in Lisbon if you need help.

Cruises are currently not operating in Portugal but on resumption there may be restrictions on disembarking in Portugal if you're an Australian citizen.

If you want to rely on another (non-Australian) nationality or residency to enter Portugal, consult the website, embassy or consulate of that country.

Departure from Portugal

Commercial connections to Australia are difficult at present. Seat bookings are very difficult to obtain at present due to the cap on international arrivals into Australia. If you're in Portugal and want to return to Australia, contact your airline, travel agent or insurance company.

You should check carefully any re-entry or quarantine requirements in the country you're returning to after Portugal and be conscious these might change at short notice.

Staying in Portugal

The Portuguese Government has enacted a range of measures to address COVID-19.

The Government of Portugal introduced a strict lockdown on 15 January in response to record infection rates. People are confined to home unless they have a justifiable reason to leave. Police are checking identity papers and issuing on the spot fines for being outside your area of residence without good reason. A State of Emergency exists across the country (excluding islands of the Azores) in response to COVID-19. Strict hygiene and social distancing rules are in place, including gathering limits, movement restrictions and compulsory use of masks in public. Find information on your municipality here.

Social distancing and mask-wearing are compulsory in public spaces, including in shops, on public transport and outdoors whenever other people are around. Shops are closed except businesses that sell food or medicine.

Beaches are closed. There are fines for non-compliance, so monitor and follow rules as they evolve

The Portuguese High Commission for Migration website contains a helpful summary of restrictions in English, but it is not updated daily and you should confirm this advice is current.

If you're staying in Portugal:

• follow the advice of local authorities
• take care to minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19 including by practicing social distancing.
• ensure you have arrangements in place for an extended stay
• keep in contact with family and friends so they know you're safe and well.

The following information may not apply while COVID-19 travel restrictions are in place.

Get a clear entry stamp in your passport when you first enter the Schengen area, including Portugal.

If you don't have proof of entry or have overstayed your Schengen visa, airlines might refuse to transport you.

Validity

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.

Carry copies of the photograph page of your passport, in case you're stopped by local authorities.

Lost or stolen passports

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible and obtain a local police report.

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

The local currency is the Euro (EUR).

Declare amounts over 10,000 euros, or the same amount in another foreign currency. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.

This applies if you're travelling between Portugal and any non-European Union (EU) country. You don't need to declare currency if you're travelling to or from another EU country.

You'll be fined if you don't declare or you give incorrect information.

Foreign bank cards aren't widely accepted in smaller shops, restaurants, towns or rural areas. You can use Australian credit cards at larger hotels and shopping centres.

Most ATMs have a daily withdrawal limit of 200 euros.

Since 2015, there have been significant pressures on border controls in Europe due to the movement of asylum seekers.

While the impact in Portugal has been limited, carry your passport when crossing borders, even within the Schengen area.

Check border conditions through local news sources and transport providers.

Driving permit

You can drive for up to 6 months with a valid Australian driver's licence.

You also need either:

• an official Portuguese translation of your licence
• an International Driving Permit (IDP)

More information:

• Driving or riding
• Visit Portugal

Road travel

Portugal has a high rate of motor vehicle accidents and road fatalities.

Dangers include:

• unpredictable local driving habits
• vehicles travelling at excessive speed on motorways
• poorly marked secondary roads and narrow cobblestone streets
• blind corners
• poor lighting
• livestock in rural areas, including in the Azores

Occasional rock falls occur on regional coastal roads.

You must report traffic accidents to the police.

There are large on-the-spot fines for:

• drink-driving
• speeding
• using a mobile phone while driving

More information:

• Driving or riding

Taxis

Taxis are usually reliable, however there are reports of taxi drivers overcharging, threatening and harassing passengers at Lisbon airport. There are no fixed taxi transfer fees to Lisbon or Porto city.

Ride-sharing services are available and legal.

To stay safe in taxis:

• take precautions to ensure you aren't overcharged, especially when transporting luggage
• ask the taxi driver to use the meter
• ask for a receipt, which taxi drivers must provide if requested

There are no taxi meters in the Azores. Confirm the fare before your trip starts.

Tuktuks

Tuktuks are common in large tourist areas.

Check your insurance covers you in the event of an accident in a tuktuk.

Always use a seatbelt.

Thieves may try to snatch your possessions when you're travelling by tuktuk, particularly in tourist areas.

Public transport

Public transport is usually safe and reliable.

Queues for tickets can be long. Ticket machines in metro stations sometimes run out of paper.

You can top up rechargeable tickets at metro stations. Use these tickets on most public buses, ferries, trams, trains and the metro.

More information:

• Transport and getting around safely

Sea travel

If you arrive via sea, including on a cruise, visa and other entry requirements, including Schengen, apply. This applies regardless of how long you stay. See the information on visas above. 

Air travel

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Portugal's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 112.

Medical emergencies

Call 112.

Police

Call 112.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

For non-urgent criminal issues, contact the nearest police station.

To contact tourist police stations in Lisbon, Porto, Portimão and Cascais:

• call 342 1634 or 342 1623.
• email lsbetur@psp.pt

You can email to ask for a police report after leaving Portugal.

Support for victims of crime

If you are a victim of crime, get support from Portugal's Victims of Crime support unit, APAV.

Rua José Estévão, 135 A, Pisos 1/2
1150-201 Lisbon
Phone: 21 358 7900
Email: apav.sede@apav.pt
Website: APAV Victim Support

The National Immigrant Support Centre (CNAI) supports expats.

Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.

If you're not satisfied with the response, request the Complaints Book (Livro de Reclamacoes).

If the service provider refuses to provide the Complaints Book:

• contact local law enforcement authorities
• lodge a complaint on the ASAE website (Portugese)

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

For consular assistance, contact the Australian Embassy in Lisbon.

Australian Embassy, Lisbon

Victoria Building
Avenida da Liberdade 200 – 2nd Floor
1250-147 Lisbon
Phone: (+351 21) 310 1500
Fax: (+351 21) 310 1555
Email: ausemb.lisbon@dfat.gov.au
Website: portugal.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in Portugal

Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

You need an appointment for passport and notarial services. Book via the Embassy website or Facebook page.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia