Portugal Travel Advice & Safety

Updated:14 October 2025
Still Valid:Yes
Latest update: We continue to advise exercise normal safety precautions in Portugal. The new European Entry/Exit System (EES) has started for all non-EU nationals, travelling in or out of the Schengen Area. You’ll need to register at borders and have your fingerprint and photo taken. There may be longer border queues.
 

We advise: Exercise normal safety precautions in Portugal.

Advice Levels

Level 2
Exercise normal safety precautions in Portugal.

Full Advice

  • Portugal’s national terrorism alert is ‘significant’ (level 3 out of 5). Always be alert to terrorism. Terrorists have targeted European cities, including transport hubs and places visited by travellers. Take official warnings seriously.
  • Strikes and public demonstrations are common. They can cause street congestion, disrupt public services, and affect transport services, including buses, trains, metro, ferries and flights. Most demonstrations are peaceful but could become violent. Avoid demonstrations and public protests, monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities.
  • Bag snatching, pickpocketing and theft from cars and accommodation occur. Keep valuables out of sight. Pay attention to your belongings at beaches, tourist spots, accommodation and public transport. Ensure valuable items are stored in a secure place. Incidents of physical assault associated with pickpocketing have been reported to the police. Violent crimes, such as robberies and assaults, including sexual assaults, happen. Drink spiking is also a risk. Don’t accept drinks from strangers or leave drinks unattended.
  • People have drowned at Portuguese beaches and in rivers. Obey lifeguard warnings. A red flag means ‘danger, don’t enter the water’. Pay attention to signs about cliff erosion.
  • High temperatures and bushfires regularly impact mainland Portugal during the summer months. Localised flooding can occur during the winter months, particularly in cities. Monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities.
  • The Portuguese health system is experiencing ongoing staffing shortages and strikes. You may experience delays in accessing public health care services, particularly for non-urgent care.
  • Large private medical facilities in major cities are comparable to developed countries standards. Standards in public facilities and rural areas vary but are generally of a lower standard than in developed country.
  • Private medical facilities provide good quality care but may require payment upfront. Medical treatment is expensive.
  • Judicial procedures can be lengthy and are often subject to delays. Seek advice from a local lawyer or Portugal’s Victims of Crime support unit (APAV).
  • Gambling is legal in official casinos and licensed venues. It’s illegal everywhere else. Check that you’re entering a licensed venue.
  • You must always carry photo identification.
  • Follow the Code of Conduct on public behaviour for the municipality of Albufeira (Algarve) to avoid potential fines.
  • Portugal is a part of the Schengen area which means you can enter Portugal without a visa in some cases. In other situations, you’ll need a visa.
  • The new European Union’s (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) for registering all non-EU nationals, including Australians, travelling in or out of the Schengen area, has started.
  • Portugal’s Visa and Immigration Agency (AIMA) is working through a substantial backlog of residence permit and long-stay visa applications, and lengthy processing delays are common. You should contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Portugal or AIMA for the latest details or seek advice from a local lawyer.
  • Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You should contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Portugal for the latest details. 

Depending on what you need, contact your:

  • family and friends
  • travel agent
  • insurance provider
  • employer
  • airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 112.

Medical emergencies

Call 112.

Police

Call 112.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

For non-urgent criminal issues, contact the nearest police station.

To contact tourist police stations in Lisbon, Porto, Lagos and Cascais:

Lisbon

Porto

Lagos

Cascais

You can email and seek advice regarding obtaining a police report after leaving Portugal.

Support for victims of crime

If you’re a victim of crime, get support from Portugal’s Victims of Crime support unit, APAV. English support services are available.

Rua José Estévão, 135 A, Pisos 1/2
1-150-201 Lisbon

Phone: 21 358 7900
Email: apav.sede@apav.pt
Website: APAV Victim Support

Free Phone Victim Support Helpline (only within Portugal and the EU): 116 006
Outside of Portugal use SKYPE:  APAV_LAV
Email: lav@apav.pt

Infovictims (a European platform to support victims of crime) has information about criminal proceedings, victim’s rights and support services available.

Expat support information: