Practical A–Z

EU Citizens

As an EU citizen, you need no visa. Portugal is a Schengen member — you only need a valid ID card or passport. No border controls when entering from other Schengen states.

Swiss Citizens

Same rules as EU citizens (Schengen Agreement). Passport or ID is sufficient.

Tourist Tax

Lisbon charges a tourist tax of 2€ per person per night (maximum 7 nights, so max. 14€). Collected at check-in.

Time Difference

Portugal is in the Western European Time Zone (WET) — that's 1 hour behind Germany. When it's 2 PM in Berlin, it's 1 PM in Lisbon. Daylight saving time also applies (WEST = UTC+1, instead of CEST = UTC+2).

Lisbon is a safe city — significantly safer than Barcelona or Paris. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. The main issue: pickpocketing, especially in tourist areas.

Pickpocket Hotspots

• Tram 28 — Number 1. Professional gangs operate in the crowd.
• Praça do Comércio & Rua Augusta — Tourist center.
• Elevador de Santa Justa — In the queue.
• Bairro Alto at night — In the crowd of bar-goers.

Prevention

• Wear your backpack in front on the tram and at markets.
• Don't hold your phone openly in your hand (snatch theft, especially on scooters).
• At night in Bairro Alto: Wallet in the front pocket.
• At the beach: Bring only the essentials.

Mobile Internet

Thanks to EU roaming, you can use your German mobile contract in Portugal without additional costs. Network coverage in Lisbon is excellent (4G/5G everywhere).

Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available in many cafes, hotels, museums, and at the Time Out Market. The city offers Lisboa Wi-Fi in public places — quality varies.

Language

Portuguese is spoken in Lisbon. English is widely spoken among younger Lisbon residents — you can easily get by in hotels, restaurants, and museums. Spanish is understood (but don't speak it as a substitute for Portuguese — it can be offensive). German: rare.

A few words of Portuguese are highly appreciated:

• Bom dia (Good day) / Boa tarde (Good afternoon) / Boa noite (Good evening)
• Obrigado/a (Thank you — male/female)
• Se faz favor (Please)
• A conta, se faz favor (The bill, please)
• Uma bica, se faz favor (An espresso, please — the most important phrase!)

What to Pack?

• Comfortable shoes: Priority No. 1! Lisbon's cobblestones (calçada portuguesa) are slippery and hilly. Sneakers with good soles — no flip-flops, no heels (except for the evening).
• Sun protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat — the light in Lisbon is intense, even in spring and autumn.
• Light layers: It can be cool in the mornings and evenings (especially by the Tagus), hot during the day. A light jacket for the evening.
• Small backpack: Zipper facing your body (protection against pickpocketing on Tram 28).
• Water bottle: Tap water is drinkable (though chlorinated). Increasingly public water dispensers.
• Travel adapter: Not necessary — Type C/F (German plugs) fit.

Important Notes

• Time difference: Portugal = Germany minus 1 hour. Don't forget to adjust your clocks (phones do it automatically).
• Tipping: Not obligatory in Portugal. In restaurants: 5–10% if satisfied. In cafes: leave small change on the counter. No pressure.
• Couvert: In some restaurants, bread, butter, olives, and cold cuts are placed on the table without being asked — the Couvert. It's not free (2–5€)! You can refuse or return it if you don't want it.
• Sunday opening: Supermarkets (Pingo Doce, Continente, Minipreço) are also open on Sundays. Small shops: often closed.