Practical Info A–Z

Portugal has a public health system (SNS) accessible to EU citizens with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The quality of medical care is good to very good in cities — Lisbon and Porto have excellent hospitals. In rural areas, however, the nearest emergency room may be far away.

Points of Contact

• Centro de Saúde — local health centers for non-urgent cases. Waiting times can be long (several hours)
• Urgências (Emergency Room) — in all major hospitals. Free for EU citizens with EHIC (in urgent cases)
• Private Clinics — significantly shorter waiting times. A consultation costs €50–100. Grupo CUF and Hospital da Luz are the largest private chains
• Farmácia (Pharmacy) — Pharmacists in Portugal are well-trained and can advise on minor ailments. Many medications that are prescription-only in Germany are available here over the counter. Pharmacies are marked by a green cross

Recommendations

Travel health insurance is highly recommended — it costs only a few euros per year and covers repatriation and private treatment, which are not covered by the EHIC. In tourist areas of the Algarve and Lisbon, there are also doctors who speak German or English. The German embassy can mediate doctors in an emergency.

The emergency number in Portugal is 112 (Europe-wide). The emergency medical service (INEM) responds quickly in cities, but waiting times may occur in rural areas.

Portugal is part of the Eurozone — the currency is the Euro (€), as in Germany, Austria, and most EU countries. No currency exchange needed.

Cash & Cards

Card payment is widespread in Portugal. Even in small cafes, markets, and taxis, you can pay by card (Visa and Mastercard are accepted everywhere). Contactless/NFC works almost everywhere. However, it is advisable to always have some cash on hand — some Tascas (traditional taverns), beach vendors, and small shops only accept cash.

ATMs (Multibanco)

The Portuguese Multibanco network is one of the best in Europe. ATMs are everywhere (even in small villages), work reliably, and offer a German-language menu. Important: If the ATM asks if it should settle in your home currency (Dynamic Currency Conversion), always choose "Settle in Euros" — the ATM's conversion rates are significantly worse than those of your bank.

Bank Fees

Most German banks charge no fees for card payments in the Eurozone. When withdrawing from ATMs, some banks charge €3–5 per withdrawal. Travel credit cards (DKB, ING, Revolut, N26) often offer free withdrawals worldwide. Tip: Revolut and Wise offer the best exchange rates and no hidden fees.

Bank Opening Hours

Bank branches are generally open Mon–Fri 8:30–15:00. In tourist areas and shopping centers, sometimes longer.

Portugal offers excellent shopping opportunities — from traditional handicrafts to modern shopping centers.

Typical Souvenirs

• Azulejos — hand-painted ceramic tiles, from approx. €15 per piece. Caution: Only buy new tiles! Buying antique azulejos (stolen from facades) is illegal
• Cork Products — bags, hats, wallets, even umbrellas made of cork. Portugal is the world leader, the quality is excellent
• Port Wine — best bought directly in the Caves in Vila Nova de Gaia. A good 10-Year-Old Tawny costs €15–25
• Pastéis de Nata — there are baking mixes and molds to take home
• Sardine Cans — artistically packaged cans with vintage sardines (yes, they exist!) are an original gift. The stores of Comur and Conserveira de Lisboa are an experience
• Filigree Jewelry — the gold and silver filigree work from Minho (especially from Póvoa de Lanhoso) is a centuries-old craft
• Galo de Barcelos — the colorful rooster from Barcelos, Portugal's unofficial mascot

Shopping Centers & Supermarkets

The largest shopping centers are Colombo and Vasco da Gama (both Lisbon) as well as NorteShopping (Porto). Supermarkets: Continente and Pingo Doce are the largest chains, Lidl and Aldi are also present. Mercados Municipais (municipal markets) offer fresh products and local specialties — the Mercado da Ribeira (Lisbon) and the Mercado do Bolhão (Porto) are the most famous.

On holidays, banks, authorities, and many shops are closed. Supermarkets have reduced opening hours. Restaurants and tourist facilities usually remain open.

Additionally, each city has its own Feriado Municipal (municipal holiday), usually in honor of the patron saint. The most important: Lisbon on June 13 (Santo António), Porto on June 24 (São João — the largest street festival in Portugal, where people hit each other on the head with plastic hammers and release lanterns).

Portugal is one of the safest countries in Europe for women traveling alone. The Portuguese society is respectful, the crime rate low, and as a woman, you can move freely day and night.

As everywhere, the usual precautions apply: In Lisbon's nightlife districts (Bairro Alto, Cais do Sodré), be aware of pickpockets at night, be attentive in deserted areas, and make sure to get the right driver with Uber or taxi.

Portuguese men can be quite direct — compliments or attempts to approach are common, but are usually polite and not aggressive. A friendly, firm "Não, obrigada" (No, thank you) is almost always enough. Physical harassment is rare and not tolerated by society.

Especially pleasant for solo travelers: Portugal has a growing scene of hostels and guesthouses specializing in solo travelers (especially in Lisbon and Porto). Cooking classes, city tours, and surf camps are excellent opportunities to meet other travelers.

The Portuguese police (PSP in cities, GNR in the countryside) are helpful and often multilingual in tourist areas. In Lisbon and Porto, there are special tourist police stations.

Since June 2017, the EU has implemented "Roam like at Home" — you can use your German, Austrian, or Swiss mobile tariff in Portugal without additional costs (calls, SMS, data). This applies to all EU/EEC tariffs. Note: Swiss tariffs often have a separate roaming package — check beforehand!

WLAN

Free WLAN is widespread in Portugal: In almost all hotels, restaurants, cafes, and even in many public areas (airports, train stations, shopping centers). The quality is generally good. Lisbon and Porto have public city WLAN in many central areas (Lisboa Wi-Fi, Porto Digital).

Portuguese SIM Card

If you stay longer or need a lot of data, you can buy a prepaid SIM. The three major providers:

• MEO — largest network, best coverage even in rural areas
• NOS — good coverage, attractive tourist packages
• Vodafone — good coverage in cities and along the coast

Prepaid SIMs are available in electronics stores (Fnac, Worten), in the providers' shops, and in some tobacco shops. A data package with 10–15 GB costs about €15–20. An ID is required for activation (mandatory since 2020). The SIM is activated in the store — it only takes a few minutes.

Digital Nomads

Portugal is a hotspot for digital nomads — especially Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, and Madeira. There are plenty of coworking spaces: Second Home and Factory in Lisbon, CRU Cowork in Porto, Digital Nomads Madeira on the flower island. Madeira has offered a special program for digital nomads with free coworking since 2021.

Portugal has a Mediterranean to Atlantic climate — summers are warm and dry, winters mild and rainy. However, there are significant regional differences.

Lisbon & Central Portugal

Regional Features

• Algarve: Warmest region in Portugal. Rarely below 10°C in winter, up to 35°C in summer. 300 sunny days per year. Water temperatures in summer 20–23°C
• North (Porto, Minho): Significantly rainier and cooler than the south. In winter, it can be quite cold and wet. However, summer is more pleasant (not as hot as in Lisbon or the Algarve)
• Azores: Oceanic climate — mild, humid, and unpredictable. "Four seasons in one day" is no exaggeration. Best time: May–September
• Madeira: Mild year-round (16–25°C). The north is wetter than the south. Ideal for winter escapees

Best Travel Time

May/June and September/October are the best travel months: pleasant temperatures, fewer tourists than in high summer, and lower prices. July/August is high season — the Algarve and Lisbon can be crowded and very hot (over 40°C inland).

Portugal is one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly countries in the world. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2010 (as the fourth country worldwide and the first Catholic country). Since 2016, same-sex couples can adopt children, and since 2018, trans people can change their gender entry without medical reports.

Social acceptance is high, especially in Lisbon and Porto. Lisbon's district Príncipe Real is the center of the LGBTQ+ scene: Bars, clubs, boutiques, and cafes are concentrated around the square of the same name and Rua da Barroca in the adjacent Bairro Alto. Porto has a smaller but lively scene around Rua da Galeria de Paris.

The Lisbon Pride (Marcha do Orgulho LGBTI+) takes place every June and is one of the largest Pride events in Southern Europe. The Queer Lisboa (international LGBTQ+ film festival) in September is the oldest of its kind on the Iberian Peninsula.

In the countryside and in more conservative regions (especially in the rural north), acceptance is lower — open hostility is rare, however. Portuguese people are generally conflict-averse and respect others' privacy.

The Portuguese media landscape is diverse, and there are some useful sources for travelers.

Newspapers & Online Media

• Público — the most prestigious daily newspaper, comparable to the Süddeutsche Zeitung. Good online presence and partially free
• Diário de Notícias — traditional daily newspaper since 1864
• Expresso — weekly newspaper, investigative and high quality
• The Portugal News — English-language weekly newspaper, especially useful for the Algarve region

Television

The public broadcasters RTP1 and RTP2 as well as the private SIC and TVI dominate. Films and series are shown in Portugal in the original language with Portuguese subtitles — a blessing for foreign language speakers, as you can often watch English-language films in hotels.

Apps for Travelers

Useful apps:

• CP (Comboios de Portugal) — official railway app for timetables and ticket purchase
• Moovit — public transport navigation in all Portuguese cities
• MySNS Tempos — waiting times in emergency rooms
• Via Verde Visitors — digital toll app, saves the hassle of the toll system
• Bolt / Uber — both very common in Lisbon and Porto and cheaper than taxis

In emergencies, the Europe-wide emergency number 112 applies. The control center speaks Portuguese and English.

Important Numbers

Embassies & Consulates

• German Embassy Lisbon: Campo dos Mártires da Pátria 38, Tel. +351 218 810 210, lisboa.diplo.de
• Austrian Embassy Lisbon: Rua das Amoreiras 70-4°, Tel. +351 213 943 080
• Swiss Embassy Lisbon: Travessa do Patrocínio 1, Tel. +351 213 944 090

Lost Passport

In case of passport loss, immediately file a police report (at the nearest PSP or GNR station) and then contact the embassy. The embassy can issue a temporary travel document. For this, a passport photo and a copy of the lost passport are needed — therefore always send a digital copy of the passport to the cloud or email it to yourself.

The typical opening hours in Portugal differ from German habits — especially the lunch break is still common in many shops and authorities.

Shops

• Small shops: Mon–Fri 9:00–13:00 and 15:00–19:00, Sat 9:00–13:00. Lunch break is real!
• Shopping centers: Daily 10:00–23:00 (including Sundays and holidays)
• Supermarkets: Daily 8:00–21:00, larger branches until 22:00 or even 24:00

Restaurants

• Lunch: 12:00–15:00 (kitchen often closes at 14:30)
• Dinner: 19:00–22:30 (kitchen often closes at 22:00)
• Many smaller restaurants are closed on Sunday evenings and Mondays

Museums

• Most museums are open Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00, closed on Mondays
• Last admission usually 30 minutes before closing
• Many museums offer free admission on the first Sunday of the month — but they are crowded then

Authorities

• Mon–Fri 9:00–12:30 and 14:00–17:30. Without an appointment, it can take a long time

Pharmacies

Regular opening hours: Mon–Fri 9:00–19:00, Sat 9:00–13:00. In cities, there are night and weekend pharmacies (Farmácias de Serviço) — a notice at each pharmacy shows the next one on duty.

The Portuguese postal service is called CTT (Correios de Portugal) and can be recognized by the red logo with the rider. Mailboxes are also red.

Shipping to Germany/Austria/Switzerland

• Postcard/Letter (up to 20g): approx. €1.10 (Europe), delivery time 5–8 working days
• Package: Prices depend on size and weight, starting at approx. €15 for a small package. Delivery time 7–14 working days with standard shipping
• Correio Azul (Express Service): Faster (3–5 working days within Europe), but more expensive

Opening Hours & Locations

CTT branches are generally open Mon–Fri 9:00–18:00, larger branches also on Saturdays. Stamps can be purchased in supermarkets and tobacco shops. The main post offices in Lisbon (Praça do Comércio) and Porto (Praça da Liberdade) have extended opening hours.

Stamps for postcards are also available in souvenir shops and from machines in CTT branches. Postcards to Germany typically take 5–8 days — sometimes up to two weeks, especially in high summer.

Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world. It regularly ranks in the top 10 on the Global Peace Index. Violent crime is rare, and you can feel safe in most areas even at night.

Pickpocketing

The biggest security risk for tourists is pickpocketing, especially in:

• Lisbon: Tram 28 (notorious!), Alfama, Bairro Alto, Rossio, Baixa, Belém
• Porto: São Bento, Ribeira, Rua de Santa Catarina
• Algarve: Beach areas, especially in Albufeira

Typical methods: Taking advantage of crowds in the tram, distraction maneuvers (someone talks to you while an accomplice grabs), handbag theft from scooters. Countermeasures: Leave valuables in the hotel safe, carry a backpack in front (especially in Tram 28!), do not carry too much cash.

Car Break-ins

At tourist parking lots (especially viewpoints, hiking parking lots, and beaches), rental cars are broken into. Never leave visible valuables in the car — not even an empty backpack or charging cable. The trunk is also not safe (thieves watch if you put something in).

Natural Hazards

• Atlantic Currents: The Atlantic is not the Mediterranean! Strong currents (undercurrents, rip currents) are common on the west coast. Only swim at supervised beaches and pay attention to the flags: Green = safe, Yellow = caution, Red = swimming prohibited
• Wildfires: In summer (July–September), there is extreme fire danger. Follow IPMA warnings
• UV Radiation: Do not underestimate the sun — even with wind, it burns intensely. Sunscreen (SPF 30+), a hat, and water are mandatory

Portugal uses 230 V alternating current, 50 Hz — identical to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

The sockets are Type F (Schuko with grounding, as in Germany) and Type C (Europlug, two-pin). Travelers from the DACH region do not need an adapter.

Travelers from the UK, USA, or Australia need an adapter (Type C/F). Affordable in any Portuguese electronics store (Worten, Fnac) or supermarket.

Tips

• In older buildings and rural accommodations, sockets may be loose — bring a power strip
• USB charging stations are available in most newer cafes, restaurants, and on CP trains (Comboios de Portugal)
• In holiday apartments, be careful not to use too many devices at once — the fuses in older houses are sometimes limited

Tipping in Portugal is not mandatory, but a nice gesture that is appreciated. The amounts are significantly lower than in the USA, but slightly higher than in some southern European countries.

Guidelines

Important: Tipping in Portugal is given in cash — leave it on the table or hand it over directly. Adding a tip to the credit card bill is uncommon and often does not reach the staff. If you pay by card, leave the tip separately in cash.

In simple Tascas and with daily special prices of €7–10, it is perfectly fine to just round up to the next euro or leave a few coins. No one expects 15–20% like in the USA.

As an EU member, there are no customs borders for travel between Portugal and other EU countries (Germany, Austria). You can freely import and export goods for personal use.

Within the EU — Guidelines

For "personal use," the following guidelines apply (no fixed limits):

• Cigarettes: 800 pieces
• Alcohol: 10 liters of spirits, 20 liters of liqueur, 90 liters of wine (of which max. 60 liters sparkling wine), 110 liters of beer
• Coffee: 10 kg

If this amount is exceeded, you must be able to prove that the goods are for personal use.

For Swiss Travelers

Switzerland is not an EU member — here, duty-free allowances apply:

• Alcohol: 1 liter over 18% and 5 liters under 18% (duty-free)
• Cigarettes: 250 pieces
• Other goods: up to 300 CHF total value duty-free

Special Regulations

• Species Protection: Do not import corals, protected shells, or products from protected animals
• Antiques: Exporting cultural goods (antique azulejos, art over 100 years old) requires a permit from the Portuguese Ministry of Culture
• Medications: Carry personal needs (up to 3 months' supply), have a medical certificate for prescription medications
• Cash: Cash amounts over €10,000 must be declared to customs when entering/leaving the EU