Southern Europe · UN member
Portugal: Travel Guide & Requirements
Portuguese Republic
Portugal is a country in Southern Europe with its capital in Lisbon. It has a population of 10.8 million (#89 in the world) and covers 92,090 km². The official language is Portuguese. The currency is the Euro (EUR, €).
Where is Portugal? Map of Portugal
Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain.
- Region
- Southern Europe
- Coordinates
- 39.5° N, 8° W
- Neighbours
- 1 — see list
- Coastline
- 1,793 km
- Portugal
- Neighbours
- Capital
- Largest cities
Map of Portugal showing Lisbon (capital) and the largest cities: Porto, Braga, Coimbra, Leiria, Funchal, Viseu, Aveiro and Faro.
Travel requirements
What you need to travel to Portugal
- Passport
The Schengen Borders Code says a third-country national's travel document must be valid for at least three months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the Member States (this may be waived in a jus…
- Visa or eTA
Depends on your passport: of 198 passports, 93 need no visa, 105 need a visa from an embassy. Check yours or see Portugal entry requirements for every passport.
- Return or onward ticket
No official requirement. The Schengen Borders Code lists a return or round-trip ticket among the documentary evidence that may be used to verify the fulfilment of entry conditions, and the UK Foreign Office tells British travellers that at Port…
- Proof of funds
The Schengen Borders Code requires third-country nationals to have sufficient means of subsistence, both for the duration of the intended stay and for the return, or to be in a position to acquire such means lawfully.
- Travel insurance
The Visa Code says applicants for a uniform visa must prove they hold adequate and valid travel medical insurance (for a multiple-entry visa, covering the first intended visit); it must be valid throughout the territory…
- Arrival card
The EU's Travel to Europe website says that the first time you arrive at a border crossing point since the EES started, passport control officers will take a photo of your face and/or scan your fingerprints, and that th…
- Customs allowance
Cash of €10,000 or more (or equivalent) must be declared when entering or leaving the EU.
- Travel advice
Safe to visit — US and UK advice.
Entry rules: TravelRequirements.info — Entry Requirements Dataset (CC BY 4.0), each rule cited to an official government source. Always confirm with the airline and the official source before you travel.
Before you go
10 things to know before you travel to Portugal
- Safety: Yes — Portugal is generally safe to visit: the US State Department rates Portugal Level 1 (“Exercise Normal Precautions”), and the UK Foreign Office has no warnings against travel there.
- Best time to go: June to September — when daytime highs in Lisbon are around 21–23°C.
- Money: the Euro (EUR) — 1 US dollar is about 0.8911 EUR.
- Plugs: type C, E and F, 230 V, 50 Hz — standard 220–240 V: devices from the US or Japan (110–120 V) need a converter unless they are dual voltage (100–240 V).
- Emergency numbers: Police 112, Ambulance 112, Fire 112.
- Language: Portuguese is official.
- Driving: on the right — speed limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h outside built-up areas, 100 km/h on expressways and 120 km/h on motorways.
- Time zone: UTC0 in Lisbon.
- Capital: Lisbon. About 10.8 million people live in Portugal.
- Outdoors: 1 national park and 2 ski areas.
Key facts
Portugal at a glance
Languages spoken: Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official, but locally used)
Geography & history
About Portugal
A global maritime power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence of Brazil, its wealthiest colony, in 1822. A revolution deposed the monarchy in 1910, and for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup ushered in broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all its African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986.
Location
Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain
Climate
maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south
Terrain
the west-flowing Tagus River divides the country: the north is mountainous toward the interior, while the south is characterized by rolling plains
Highest point
Ponta do Pico (Pico or Pico Alto) on Ilha do Pico in the Azores 2,351 m
Natural resources
fish, forests (cork), iron ore, copper, zinc, tin, tungsten, silver, gold, uranium, marble, clay, gypsum, salt, arable land, hydropower
Natural hazards
Azores subject to severe earthquakes volcanism: limited volcanic activity in the Azores Islands; Fayal or Faial (1,043 m) last erupted in 1958; most volcanoes have not erupted in centuries; historically active volcanoes include Agua de Pau, Furnas, Pico, Pico…
National symbols
armillary sphere (a spherical astrolabe for modeling objects in the sky)
Driving
Speed limits & road rules in Portugal
The default speed limits in Portugal are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h outside built-up areas, 100 km/h on expressways and 120 km/h on motorways. The legal alcohol limit for drivers is 0.5‰. Posted signs always take priority over these defaults.
- 2020 km/hResidential zonesLiving streets & residential areas
- 5050 km/hBuilt-up areasTowns and cities
- 9090 km/hOutside built-up areasCountry roadsWith a trailer: 70 km/h
- 100100 km/hExpresswaysDual carriageways & expresswaysWith a trailer: 80 km/h
- 120120 km/hMotorwaysMotorways / freewaysWith a trailer: 100 km/h
- International Driving PermitRecognised: 1968 Vienna, 1949 Geneva, 1926 ParisCarry the IDP together with your national licence
- Driving sideDrive on the rightOvertake on the left
- Alcohol limit0.5‰ blood alcohol (0.05% BAC)0.2‰ for young / novice drivers
- Seat beltsRequired by law
- Child seatsRequired by law
- Motorcycle helmetsRequired for riders
- Road deaths (2021)7.2 per 100,000 peopleSafer than most countries (median 12.4)
Speed limits: OpenStreetMap wiki — Default speed limits (CC BY-SA 2.0). Road-safety laws: WHO Global Health Observatory. Compare speed limits and alcohol limits by country. Defaults for cars; local signs, weather and vehicle type can lower them.
Safety
Is Portugal safe to visit?
Yes — Portugal is generally safe to visit: the US State Department rates Portugal Level 1 (“Exercise Normal Precautions”), and the UK Foreign Office has no warnings against travel there.
US State Department
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)Latest update: Updated information on European Entry-Exit System (EES) (‘Entry requirements’ page).
Updated 11 Aug 2026 · Full travel advice
Sources: US Department of State travel advisories (public domain) and UK FCDO foreign travel advice (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). Checked daily. Advice can change quickly — always read the official page before you travel.
Weather
Best time to visit Portugal
The best time to visit Portugal is June to September, when daytime highs in Lisbon are around 21–23°C. May is also a good time to go. August is the warmest month (23°C by day), February the coldest (11°C at night), and November the wettest with about 92 mm of rain.
- Jan15°C11°C
- Feb15°C11°C
- Mar16°C12°C
- Apr17°C13°C
- May19°C15°C
- Jun21°C17°C
- Jul22°C18°C
- Aug23°C18°C
- Sep22°C18°C
- Oct21°C17°C
- Nov17°C14°C
- Dec15°C12°C
Best time Good Less ideal
Before you go
Plugs, voltage & emergency numbers in Portugal
Plugs & sockets
- Type C (Europlug)two round pins
- Type Etwo round pins and a hole for the socket's earth pin
- Type F (Schuko)two round pins with earth clips on the sides
230 V, 50 Hz · Standard 220–240 V: devices from the US or Japan (110–120 V) need a converter unless they are dual voltage (100–240 V).
Emergency numbers
112 works from any mobile phone, even without a SIM card in most networks. All countries →
Sources: Wikipedia — Mains electricity by country and List of emergency telephone numbers (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Ski resorts
2 ski resorts in Portugal
- 5 km of slopes
- 5 lifts
- up to 1,986 m
Biggest: Serra da Estrela · Ski Parque
National parks
1 national park in Portugal
- 696 km² protected
- oldest from 1971
Largest: Peneda-Gerês National Park
Currency · 26 October 2026
Euro exchange rates today
Portugal uses the Euro (EUR, €). One US dollar buys 0.8911 EUR; over the last 30 days the EUR has lost 1.5% against the dollar.
What other currencies cost in EUR
Currency converter
Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0), 26 Oct 2026. Banks and exchange offices add a margin.
World rankings
Where Portugal ranks
How Portugal compares with the rest of the world — open any card for the full ranking.
Airports
Airports in Portugal
197 airports and airfields — 5 large, 26 medium and 98 small, plus 68 heliports. 20 have scheduled passenger flights.
Borders
Neighbouring countries
Portugal borders 1 country along 1,224 km of land borders. Coastline: 1,793 km.
Military
Portuguese armed forces
Portugal ranks #41 of 145 in the Global Firepower military strength ranking, with a defence budget of $5.9 billion (2025).
People
Population & society
Religion
Largest cities: Lisbon (3.0 million), Porto (1.3 million)
Economy
Economy
Main industries
textiles, clothing, footwear, wood and cork, paper and pulp, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, automobiles and auto parts, base metals, minerals, porcelain and ceramics, glassware, technology, telecommunications; dairy p…
Export partners
Spain 21%, France 11%, Germany 10%, USA 8%, UK 5% (2023)
Top exports
cars, garments, vehicle parts/accessories, unpackaged medicine, refined petroleum (2023)
Travel tools
Handy before every trip to Portugal
Next public holiday
All Saints Day — Sunday, 1 November 2026. Then Restoration of Independence (1 Dec).
Portuguese passport
Ranked #13: 124 countries visa-free, 32 with visa on arrival, 8 with an eTA and 20 with an eVisa.
Portuguese passport photo
Exact size, head position and background for Portugal's passport and visa photos — make one free with AI checks.
Calling Portugal
Dial +351 before the local number. Internet domain .pt.
Climate footprint
35.5 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024 — 3.41 t per person.
Entry requirements
Visa rules for every passport visiting Portugal: visa-free stays, eVisas, visas on arrival and documents to bring.
News
Latest travel news about Portugal
Bill C-3: Americans With Canadian Ancestors May Already Be Citizens
Canada's Bill C-3, in force since 15 December 2025, removed the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent. Americans with an unbroken line to …
Maltese Residents in Portugal Now Face 7-Year Wait Before Applying for Citizenship
Portugal's nationality law amendment of 19 May 2026 extends the residency period before most non-EU residents can apply for citizenship from five to …
For US Families, Portugal's Golden Visa Remains a Live Residency Path
The source article examines why Portugal's Golden Visa residency-by-investment programme continues to attract American families, but the scraped text…
Frequently asked questions about Portugal
What do I need to travel to Portugal?
How long must my passport be valid for Portugal?
Where is Portugal?
What is Portugal known for?
What is the capital of Portugal?
What language is spoken in Portugal?
What currency does Portugal use?
What is the calling code of Portugal?
Which countries border Portugal?
How strong is the Portuguese passport?
What is the speed limit in Portugal?
Is Portugal safe to visit?
When is the best time to visit Portugal?
What plug type does Portugal use?
How many airports does Portugal have?
Sources: CIA World Factbook (public domain); World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0); names, languages and currencies: mledoze/countries (ODbL); flag: flag-icons (MIT); coat of arms: Wikimedia Commons (file page); exchange rates: Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0); airports: OurAirports.