Key facts
Portugal is a member state of the European Union located in Southern Europe. Portugal has only one border country: Spain. The official language of Portugal is Portuguese. Although English isn’t the official language, the majority of people in Portugal are good English speakers.
EF EPI’s 2021 rankings placed Portugal 7th among 100 nations out of non-native English-speaking countries.
The national currency in Portugal is Euro (EUR). The euro (€) is subdivided into 100 cent (c).
Portuguese
Banknotes
€5€10€20€50€100€200€500
Portuguese
Coins
€1€25c10c20c50c1c2c
Check with your bank before your trip to find out if there are any fees for using your card abroad. Some banks do not charge fees when you use a foreign ATM or pay in foreign currency, but others may charge a fixed cost for each transaction or allow a limited number of free withdrawals. The travel card provided by Wise.com, Revolut or Monose might be an excellent option to cut down on transaction fees.
Ookla® Speedtest The average fixed internet speed in Portugal is 256.29 Mbps and mobile is 180.45 Mbs.The global average is 194.02 Mbps and 126.09 Mbps respectively.
ATM Density Portugal has more ATMs than most other countries.162.87 ATMs per 100,000 people.The global average is 39.49.
SIM Registration You can buy a SIM card in Portugal without having to register it with your ID or passport.
Socket types
There are 2 socket types used in Portugal. Type C is a popular socket type throughout Europe (except the United Kingdom), Russia, and certain Asian countries.
The sockets’ shapes and voltage differ from country to country and a travel plug adapter may be required. Portable devices, such as phones, notebooks or tablets, usually handle the entire range of voltages used across the world (110-240V).
Public holidays
In the year 2024, Portugal will celebrate 14 national public holidays. Furthermore, there are 3 holidays that are only celebrated in certain parts of Portugal. The next one Republic Day will take place on October 5.
| Date | Holiday name | |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2024Moving holiday | New Year’s DayAno Novo | |
| February 13, 2024Moving holiday | CarnivalCarnaval | |
| March 29, 2024Moving holiday | Good FridaySexta-feira Santa | |
| March 31, 2024Moving holiday | Easter SundayDomingo de Páscoa | |
| April 25, 2024Moving holiday | Freedom DayDia da Liberdade | |
| May 1, 2024Moving holiday | Labour DayDia do Trabalhador | |
| May 30, 2024Moving holiday | Corpus ChristiCorpo de Deus | |
| June 1, 2024Moving holiday | Azores DayDia dos Açores | Regional holiday |
| June 10, 2024Moving holiday | National DayDia de Portugal, de Camões e das Comunidades Portuguesas | |
| July 1, 2024Moving holiday | Madeira DayDia da Madeira | Regional holiday |
| August 15, 2024Moving holiday | Assumption DayAssunção de Nossa Senhora | |
| October 5, 2024Moving holiday | Republic DayImplantação da República | |
| November 1, 2024Moving holiday | All Saints DayDia de Todos-os-Santos | |
| December 1, 2024Moving holiday | Restoration of IndependenceRestauração da Independência | |
| December 8, 2024Moving holiday | Immaculate ConceptionImaculada Conceição | |
| December 25, 2024Moving holiday | Christmas DayNatal | |
| December 26, 2024Moving holiday | St. Stephen’s DayPrimeira Oitava | Regional holiday |
Sources
- EF English Proficiency Index (EF Education First)
- Speedtest Global Index® (Ookla®)
- Automated teller machines (ATMs) (per 100,000 adults) (The World Bank Group)
- Registration Policies Per Country (Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki)
Tourism
What hotel chains are present in Portugal?
There are Mariott hotels in 2 cities: Lisbon and Obidos.
The Hilton hotel chain operates in Portugal.
The IHG hotel chain operates in Portugal.
The Best Western hotel chain operates in Portugal.
There are Radisson hotels in Lisbon.
The Accor hotel chain operates in Portugal.
What fast food chains are present in Portugal?
The McDonald’s chain operates in Portugal.
The KFC chain operates in Portugal.
The Burger King chain operates in Portugal.
The Subway chain operates in Portugal.
The Domino’s Pizza chain operates in Portugal.
The Starbucks chain operates in Portugal.
Sources
- Country by National Dish (Samson Daniel)
Weather
What is the weather like in Lisbon?
Weather data for Lisbon (capital city) by Open-Meteo.com
Transport
Railways There are passenger trains operating between some cities.
Subway Systems The subway system is available in Lisbon.
Sources
- List of high-speed railway lines (Wikipedia)
- List of metro systems (Wikipedia)
- Left- and right-hand traffic (Wikipedia)
- The Global Enabling Trade Report 2016: Road connectivity (World Economic Forum)
Safety
Emergency phones in Portugal
Sources
- Portugal Travel Advisory (United States: Department of State)
- Travel Advice for Portugal (United Kingdom: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
- Mortality caused by road traffic injury (The World Bank Group)
- Corruption & Economic Crime (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)
Smoking & Alcohol
Smoking ban Smoking is prohibited in all public areas excluding entertainment and restaurants.
Cananbis legality Recreational usage: Decriminalized up to 25g of herb or 5g of hashish
Medical usage: Legal
You are not entitled to a duty-free allowance for tobacco or alcohol if you are under the age of 17.
Alcohol allowance
Travellers from EU countries:
- 90L of still wine (60L of sparkling wine)
- 110L of beer
- 10L of alcoholic beverages stronger than 22%
- 20L of fortified or sparkling wine or other liqueurs up to 22%.
Travellers from non-EU countries:
- 4L of wine
- 16L of beer
- 1L of spirits over 22% volume or 2L of alcoholic beverages less than 22% volume
Tobacco allowance
Travellers from EU countries:
- 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco
Travellers from non-EU countries:
- 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
Sources
- Alcohol, tobacco, cash and excise duties (europa.eu)
- List of smoking bans (Wikipedia)
- Legality of cannabis (Wikipedia)