Organize your stay Portugal
Money Portugal
Portugal has been using the euro as its national currency since 1 January 2002.
Budget & Tips Portugal
The standard of living in Portugal has increased in recent years and is no longer the eldorado for small budgets.
Passport and visas Portugal
As part of the Schengen area, you don't need a visa or passport to come to Portugal. Your identity card is all you need, and will be checked almost exclusively at the airport, rather than when crossing the French and Spanish borders if you're coming by road.
Driver's license Portugal
Your French driving licence is valid on Portuguese roads. Car rental by foreigners is very common. You will notice a good quantity of cars with the logo of one of the car rental agencies stuck on the rear bumper, especially in tourist areas like the Algarve. Driving level, it is up to you to adapt to the one practiced on the territory. The rules remain the same as in France, however, it is not uncommon for the speed limit to be exceeded when the roads are straight. And beware of people crossing the road without going through the pedestrian crossing, it's very common here!
Health Portugal
There are no particular risks in Portugal. Before you leave, make sure you have your Carte Vitale. To apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), contact your social security office or go to a social security kiosk. You can also obtain one via your Ameli account(www.ameli.fr) if you have one. The receipt you'll be given immediately serves as a card until you receive your official card, which is valid for one year. If you are ill, your hospital expenses will be covered, as will your accident costs.
Wherever you are in Portugal, in the event of an emergency of any kind, dial 112 (a free number that works on all cell phones within range), and you'll be put in touch with INEM, the equivalent of our SAMU.
Security Portugal
Portugal is a very safe country. However, in Lisbon and Porto, pickpockets are part of the local folklore in certain places particularly frequented by tourists (the famous streetcar 28, for example). It's up to you to take the usual precautions when dealing with their talents. Take only photocopies of your identity papers with you on the street, avoid carrying large sums of cash on your person, and so on.
Wherever you are in Portugal, in the event of an emergency of any kind, dial 112 (a free number that works on all cell phones within range), and you'll be put in touch with the police or the GNR (Garda Nacional Republicana, the equivalent of our Gendarmerie), depending on your location.
Time difference Portugal
In Portugal, it takes 1 hour less than in France: when it is 1pm in Paris, it is 12pm in Lisbon. Daylight saving time and winter time are switched on the last Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October respectively.
Spoken languages Portugal
The official language is Portuguese. Mirandese is a second official language spoken by a tiny proportion of the population in the north. Portuguese people working in the tourist industry speak either English or French. You'll have no trouble making yourself understood.
Communication Portugal
The telephone network is very good, even in rural areas (with a few exceptions, of course), as is 4G. There are plenty of free wifi zones in towns and even villages to get you connected. Since January 2017, roaming charges have been abolished in the 27 countries of the European Union, including Portugal. As a result, communications and data are charged in principle at the same cost in Portugal as in France by your national provider.
Electricity and measurements Portugal
Portugal uses the same metric system as France, and the same electrical installations (220 V, 50 Hz), with plugs with two round ends, as we do here.
Luggage Portugal
Although the climate is temperate for most of the year and warm in the south, it is good to pack an anorak or an umbrella because it can rain, even on the Algarvian coast, especially near Aljezur. In summer you will bring light clothes, sunscreen (essential because the sun is strong!), quality sunglasses and a headgear, not to mention the swimsuit. In any season it can be good to have pants with you and a vest at least. If you go to mountainous areas, such as the Serra da Estrela, in autumn or winter, (where temperatures are near zero degrees) take warmer clothes, a scarf, gloves and a hat for the most chilly.
