Capital: Lisbon
Time zone: GMT (GMT + 1 during the summer)
Telephone services: Country Code: 351
Outgoing Code: 00
Emergency telephone numbers: Dial 112 anywhere in the EU to reach the emergency services. Additional local numbers:-All services – 115.
Tourist information: ICEP/Turismo Palácio Foz, Praça dos Restauradores, 1200 Lisbon, Portugal Tel (1) 346 3643 or 793 4660 or 793 4627 Fax (1) 346 8772 or 793 4627.
Passport information: Valid passport required by all except: Nationals of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland holding national ID cards. NOTE: The Portuguese authorities do not recognise passports issued by the Palestinian Government. Requirements may be subject to short term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure.
Visa information: Required by all except: Nationals of EU countries for stays up to 3 months. Nationals of Australia and Japan for stays up to 3 months. Nationals of Canada and the USA for stays of up to 2 months. Nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bermuda, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland and Uruguay for stays up to 3 months. Nationals f Ecuador, South Korea and Malawi for stays up to 2 months. Nationals of Brazil for stays up to 6 months. Nationals of other countries should consult the Portuguese consulate for further information.
Health information: Yellow Fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age arriving in or destined for the Azores or Madeira if coming from infected areas.
Food & drink: Drinking water is generally safe. Travellers may sometimes experience mild food poisoning to which local people are immune, this may require antibiotic treatment.
Currency: In common with 12 Member States of the European Union (EU), here the Euro is the currency. There are seven different banknotes and eight coins of the Euro. Each participating EU country has coins with one common side and a reverse side specific to each country, while the banknotes look the same throughout the euro area. The export of gold and other valuable is subject to special conditions. All credit cards are accepted and travellers cheques are easily exchanged. ATM availability: Over 5 000 locations.
Cost of living: Relatively inexpensive and offers excellent value in transport, accommodation and food.
Languages: Portuguese.
Weather: Northwest: mild winters with a high rainfall and fairly short summers. Northeast: longer winters and hot summers. South: Summers are hot with little rain, high temperatures are moderated by a permanent breeze.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz, may vary in other areas. Continental 2 pin plugs are used
Post: 3 – 5 days to the rest of Europe.
Transport: RAIL: Services are provided in every town. Cheap fares are available on “blue” days – usually Monday afternoon to Thursday. Tourist tickets providing a period of unlimited travel are also available. ROAD: Every town can be reached by an adequate system of roads. TAXI: Charged according to distance and are metered. CAR HIRE: Available from main towns and airports. DOCUMENTATION: IDP or Foreign licence are accepted. It is compulsory to have Third party insurance, full owner registration documentation for the car and drivers licence on you when driving. Failure to present these documents on demand can carry a spot fine or even car seizure. Whilst a Green card is not essential in EU countries it is still generally advisable to have one
Special information: Politeness is essential. Beach wear should not be worn in towns. Normally smokers refrain from smoking during the course of the meal while others are still eating. Serious risk of robbery at main train stations and on international trains.