Portugal

Since 2015, there have been significant pressures on border controls in Europe due to the movement of asylum seekers.

While the impact in Portugal has been limited, carry your passport when crossing borders, even within the Schengen area.

Check border conditions through local news sources and transport providers.

Driving permit

You can drive for up to 6 months with a valid Australian driver’s licence.

You also need either:

• an official Portuguese translation of your licence
• an International Driving Permit (IDP)

More information:

Road travel

Portugal has a high rate of motor vehicle accidents and road fatalities.

Dangers include:

• unpredictable local driving habits
• vehicles travelling at excessive speed on motorways
• poorly marked secondary roads and narrow cobblestone streets
• blind corners
• poor lighting
• livestock in rural areas, including in the Azores

Occasional rock falls occur on regional coastal roads.

You must report traffic accidents to the police.

There are large on-the-spot fines for:

• drink-driving
• speeding
• using a mobile phone while driving

More information:

Taxis

Taxis are usually reliable, however there are reports of taxi drivers overcharging, threatening and harassing passengers at Lisbon airport. There are no fixed taxi transfer fees to Lisbon or Porto city.

Ride-sharing services are available and legal.

To stay safe in taxis:

• take precautions to ensure you aren’t overcharged, especially when transporting luggage
• ask the taxi driver to use the meter
• ask for a receipt, which taxi drivers must provide if requested

There are no taxi meters in the Azores. Confirm the fare before your trip starts.

Tuktuks

Tuktuks are common in large tourist areas.

Check your insurance covers you in the event of an accident in a tuktuk.

Always use a seatbelt.

Thieves may try to snatch your possessions when you’re travelling by tuktuk, particularly in tourist areas.

Public transport

Public transport is usually safe and reliable.

Queues for tickets can be long. Ticket machines in metro stations sometimes run out of paper.

You can top up rechargeable tickets at metro stations. Use these tickets on most public buses, ferries, trams, trains and the metro.

More information:

Sea travel

If you arrive via sea, including on a cruise, visa and other entry requirements, including Schengen, apply. This applies regardless of how long you stay. See the information on visas above. 

Air travel

DFAT doesn’t provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Portugal’s air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

Read the original advice at SmartTraveller.gov.au by Australian Government