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American Citizen Services
Consular Information Sheet for Portugal
January 15, 2004
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Portugal is a
developed and stable democracy with a modern economy. Tourist facilities are
widely available.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A passport is
required for entry into Portugal. A visa is not required for tourist or business
stays of up to 90 days. Portuguese law requires some non-European Union foreign
nationals to register with immigration officials within three days of entering
Portugal. The law affects those who transit a Schengen country (Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain,
Sweden and the Netherlands) by air en route to Portugal and stay at
noncommercial accommodations. For further information concerning entry
requirements for Portugal, travelers may contact the Embassy of Portugal at 2310
Tracy Place, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 332-3007, or the
Portuguese consulates in Boston, MA; New Bedford, MA; Providence, RI; New York,
NY; Newark, NJ; San Francisco, CA; or Los Angeles, CA. or their web page at
www.portugalemb.org.
In an effort to prevent international child
abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points.
These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and
permission for the child’s travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian if not
present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate
entry/departure.
DUAL NATIONALITY: In addition to being
subject to all Portuguese laws affecting U.S. citizens, dual nationals may also
be subject to other laws that impose special obligations on Portuguese citizens.
U.S. citizens who are considered to have acquired Portuguese citizenship may be
subject to certain aspects of Portuguese law such as mandatory voting and
military service. For additional information, please see the Consular Affairs
home page on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov for our
Dual
Nationality flyer.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: For the latest
security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the
Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current
Worldwide
Caution Public Announcement,
Travel
Warnings, and Public Announcements can be found.
The Overseas Citizens Services call center at
1-888-407-4747 can answer general inquiries on safety and security overseas.
This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday
through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use
toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information
and assistance during these hours by calling 1-317-472-2328.
CRIME: Portugal has a relatively low
rate of violent crime. However, petty crime is on the rise in continental
Portugal. Travelers may become targets of pickpockets and purse-snatchers,
particularly at popular tourist sites, restaurants, or on public transportation.
Rental cars and vehicles with non-local license plates can be targets for
break-ins, and travelers should remove all luggage from vehicles upon parking.
Travelers should also avoid using Automatic Teller Machines in isolated or
poorly lit areas. Drivers in continental Portugal should keep car doors locked
when stopped at intersections.
In general, visitors to Portugal should carry
limited cash and credit cards on their person, and leave extra cash, credit
cards, and personal documents at home or in a hotel safe. While thieves may
operate anywhere, the U.S. Embassy receives reports of theft from the following
areas:
Lisbon Area: Pick-pocketing and
purse-snatching in the Lisbon area sometimes occur in buses, restaurants, the
airport, trains, train stations, and trams, especially tram number twenty-eight
to the Castle of Sao Jorge. Thefts of purses, briefcases, and wallets have also
occurred in hotel lobbies, restaurants, and elevators. Gangs of youths have
robbed passengers on the Lisbon-Cascais train. At restaurants, items hung over
the backs of chairs or placed on the floor may be stolen. There have been
reports of theft of unattended luggage from the Lisbon airport. Special care
should be taken in the Santa Apolonia and Rossio train stations, the Alfama and
Bairro Alto districts, the Castle of Sao Jorge, and the area of Belem.
Other Areas: Thefts have been
reported in Sintra, Cascais, Mafra, and Fatima. Automobile break-ins occur in
parking areas at tourist attractions and near restaurants. Special care should
be taken in parking at the Moorish Castle and Pena Palace in Sintra and at the
beachfront areas of Guincho, Cabo da Roca, and Boca do Inferno.
Azores: In contrast to
continental Portugal, pick-pocketing and purse-snatching are not common
occurrences in the Azores. There are no reports of organized crime or gangs.
Madeira: Pick-pocketing, while
infrequent, may occur in the old town and Santa Catarina park areas of Funchal.
The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport
should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy
or Consulate. The emergency number for medical and police assistance is 112. If
you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local
police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The
Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical
care, contact family members or friends, and explain how funds could be
transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely
the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to
understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of
State's pamphlet,
A Safe Trip
Abroad, for ways to promote a trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is
available by mail from the Superintendent of
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the
Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home
page at http://travel.state.gov.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND INSURANCE:
Medical facilities are available in Portugal, but in some cases they may not
meet U.S. standards. The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult
with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm
whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency
expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover
health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is
purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment
for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and
private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses
incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations.
When making a decision regarding health
insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals
require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation
to the U.S. may cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require
medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your
insurer prior to your trip, ascertain whether payment will be made to the
overseas healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses
that you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric
treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.
Useful information on medical emergencies
abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of
State, Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure,
Medical
Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of
Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.
OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION:
Information on vaccinations and other health
precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection,
may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s
hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax:
1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC’s Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel.
For information about outbreaks of infectious
diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s website at http://www.who.int/en.
Further health information for travelers is
available at http://www.who.int/ith.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS:
While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that
differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below
concerning Portugal is provided for general reference only, and may not be
totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Safety of Public
Transportation: Good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of roadside Assistance: Fair
Portugal has one of the highest rates of
automobile accidents and fatalities in Europe. Portuguese driving habits, high
speeds, and poorly marked roads pose special hazards. In continental Portugal,
fines for traffic violations are substantial and usually must be paid on the
spot. Taxis are a reliable means of transportation, though travelers should pay
attention to discrepancies between the meter fare and the amount requested by
the driver. Buses are reliable and inexpensive.
In the Azores, driving can be treacherous due
to narrow cobblestone streets, blind curves, unprotected embankments, herds of
cows in the countryside roads, and the high speeds of other drivers. In contrast
to the continent, traffic violations are registered by radar and later forwarded
to the offender via the postal service - payments are not made on the spot.
Taxis do not have meters. The fare consists of a base fee plus a posted rate per
kilometer traveled. Public buses are inexpensive. Bus services begin at 7 a.m.
and generally operate until 8 p.m. depending on the destination.
In Madeira, road conditions have improved
substantially over the last few years. Drivers must still be wary of speeders,
however.
U.S. visitors to Portugal may drive with a
valid U.S. driver's license for up to six months. For
additional
general information about road safety, including links to foreign government
sites, see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1179.html. For international
driving permits, please contact the AAA in the U.S. at tel. 1-800-222-4357.
For specific information concerning
Portuguese driver's permits, vehicle inspection and mandatory insurance, please
contact the Portuguese National Tourist Office by telephone at
1-800-767-8842 or via the Internet at http://www.portugal.org.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Portugal's
Civil Aviation Authority as Category 1 - in compliance with international
aviation safety standards for oversight of Portugal's air carrier operations.
For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation
within the U.S. at tel. 1-800-322-7873, or
visit the FAA’s Internet web
site at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.cfm.
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately
assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air
services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers,
travelers may contact the DOD at tel. (618) 229-4801.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Portuguese customs
authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into
or export from Portugal of items such as firearms, antiquities, medications,
business equipment, sales samples, and other items. It is advisable to contact
the Embassy of Portugal in Washington, D.C. or one of the Portuguese consulates
in the U.S. for specific information regarding Customs requirements.
Portugal's customs authorities encourage the
use of an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) Carnet for the
temporary admission of professional equipment, commercial samples, and/or goods
for exhibitions and fair purposes. ATA
Carnet Headquarters, located at the U.S
Council for International Business, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York,
NY 10036, issues and guarantees the ATA Carnet in the United States. For
additional information call (212) 354-4480, send an e-mail to atacarnet@uscib.org,
or visit http://www.uscib.org for details.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign
country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which
sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not
afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for
breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar
offenses. Persons violating Portuguese laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled,
arrested or imprisoned.
Consumption, acquisition, and possession for
personal use of small amounts of drugs, not to exceed 2.5 grams of hashish or 1
gram of cocaine or heroin, are administrative offenses. Criminal penalties for
trafficking in illegal drugs, however, are strict and can range up to 15 years
in prison. If the defendant belongs to a criminal organization, jail sentences
range from a minimum of 10 years to a maximum of 20 years.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: Portugal has a
history of infrequent but severe seismic activity. Responsibility for caring for
disaster victims, including foreigners, rests with the Portuguese authorities.
General information regarding natural disaster
preparedness is available via the Internet from the U.S Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) home page at http://www.fema.gov.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For
information on
international adoption and international parental child abduction, please
refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html or
telephone the Overseas Citizens Services call center at 1-888-407-4747. The OCS
call center can answer general inquiries regarding international adoptions and
abductions and will forward calls to the appropriate country officer in the
Bureau of Consular Affairs. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who
are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may
obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-317-472-2328.
REGISTRATION/EMBASSY AND CONSULATE LOCATIONS:
Americans living in or visiting
Portugal may register at the Consular Section of the U.S Embassy in Lisbon and
obtain updated information on travel and security within Portugal. The
Embassy is located on Avenida das Forças Armadas, Sete Rios, telephone:
(351)(21) 727-3300, fax: (351)(21) 726-9109, Internet home page: http://www.american-embassy.pt.
The U.S. Consulate is located in Ponta Delgada on the island of San Miguel in
the Azores. The address is Av. Principe do Monaco, 6-2o, Ponta Delgada, phone:
351-296-282-216, fax: 351-296-28-72-16. There is also a Consular Agency located
in Funchal, Madeira, on Rua Alfandega, no 10-2, Room A-B, Funchal, phone:
351-91-235-636, fax: 351-291-229-630, open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m.
to 12:00 noon.
*******
This replaces the Consular Information Sheet
dated May 8, 2002 to update the sections on Entry Requirements, Medical
Facilities and Insurance, and Criminal Penalties.
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