Please find below some useful information when preparing your trip to Portugal. Please read all health measures carefully and make sure you meet all requirements when traveling.
For further information on the Algarve, please go to Visit Portugal.
Covid-19
The Portuguese government has been taking all necessary public health measures to protect the entire population as well as the visitors.
Measures in force may be reviewed in accordance with the evolution of the pandemic.
COVID-19 | Measures implemented in Portugal >>
Hospital Care
Clinics and hospitals provide an urgent care service, 24 hours a day. The National Emergency Number is 112. You may request at the front desk of your hotel to contact the line of permanent health, to request medical help.
Faro Red Cross – +351 289 899 900
Hospitals
Faro: +351 289 891 100
Lagos: +351 282 770 100
Portimão: + 351 282 450 330
Emergency / S.O.S
In the event of an emergency, dial 112, the national emergency service, free of charge. The call can be answered in three languages: Portuguese, English, and French. If you require medical assistance, you should go to the local Health Care Centre (Centro de Saúde). The Hospital Emergency Services must only be used in serious cases.
Source: Visit Portugal
The Portuguese currency is the Euro. Portugal adopted the euro on 1 January 1999. In local shops and restaurants, Visa y Mastercard cards can be used. For further information, please contact your travel agency.
The local current in Portugal is 220 volts AC with a two-round pin plug. UK and US Travelers will require a plug adapter or a voltage converter.
Most credit cards are accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants. Traveler’s checks and other currencies can be exchanged at hotels or in banks. Banks are usually open from 08:30 to 15:00, Monday to Friday. It is also common to use automatic exchange machines, connected to international networks.
It is mandatory to have a passport (or identity card for citizens of the European Union) valid for entry into Portugal. A visa is not required for citizens of European Union countries, USA, Canada and most other countries.
Additional information here >>
For detailed information, you should contact your country’s embassy in Portugal or your travel agency.
Chemists are usually open Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 13:00 / 15:00 – 19:00 and
Saturday: 09:00 – 13:00.
There is always at least one pharmacy providing a 24h service every day. You can find the nearest open chemist at this link >>
Post Offices are usually open Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 18:00. Central post offices and those at airports are open on Saturdays.
All prices include VAT – Value Added Tax.
VAT refund
Who is entitled to it?
Tourists residing in a non-EU country (proven by showing the passport or any other ID officially recognized as valid) and with a transport title with direct destiny to a third country (although their destination can be another EU country on their way to their non-EU airport; and in case of transit, the goods must the put in the check-in luggage).
How to proceed when buying?
The traveler must ask the shop employee to give them an invoice with 3 copies or the Tax-Free Shopping Cheque, with the note proving identity and residence.
Where must they go to at the time of departure from Portugal?
Before doing check-in, the traveler must go to Customs Authorities.
Which are the procedures to fulfill?
The traveler must show:
- Transport title
- Passport
- The original invoices in a legal form or the “Global Refund Tax-free Shopping Cheque”
- All the purchases within the referred invoice or Tax-free form
Customs authorities confirm the goods are leaving the country and stamp the original shop invoices or the “Global Refund Tax-free Shopping Cheque” form;
The traveler sends back to the shop(s) the original of each invoice duly stamped (or to Global Refund Portugal Lda., in case the correct forms have been used).
Which are the procedures as to the goods?
They have to be bought within a period of fewer than 90 days;
They have to have a purchase price equal to or over 59,36€, including tax, per shop;
They have to be bought only for personal use;
They cannot be equipment goods to supply boats or any other kind of private means of transport.
Who is to be concerned with VAT refund?
It is the store’s concern (or Global Blue Lda.), to refund the traveler’s taxes, after reception of the original invoice within 150 days (or the Tax-free Shopping Cheque), duly stamped by customs authorities.
Source: Visit Portugal
The Algarve has one of the best climates in Europe, all year round. With little rainfall, generally occurring between the months of November and March, and plenty of sunshine, the Algarve offers outstanding weather conditions for year-round tourism.
Temperatures are high in summer, which is one reason why the Algarve is a top “sun and sea” destination and an authentic paradise for beachgoers. The region’s beaches, stretching for many kilometres along the coast, consist of fine, golden sand, and the sea is calm, with temperatures of around 22ºC in the summer.
Due to its terrain and geographical location, the Algarve is influenced by various climates: from the continent of Europe to the north of Africa, and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. Maximum temperatures vary between 15ºC and 31ºC over the course of the year. In winter, temperatures do not drop below zero and the sunny days draw many tourists from the colder countries in northern Europe at this time of year.
Average temperatures
Air temperature in summer: 24ºC to 29ºC
Air temperature in winter: 15ºC to 18ºC
Sea temperature in summer: 21ºC to 24ºC
Sea temperature in winter: 15ºC to 19ºC
Source: Visit Portugal