General Information

Capital: Lisbon
Time: GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Tel. Code: 00 351 .
Official Language: Portuguese. English is widely spoken within the business community.
Currency: : The Euro is now the official currency of 12 EU member states (including Portugal). The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002; the Portuguese Escudo was still in circulation until 28 February 2002, when it was completely replaced by the Euro. Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Electricity: : 230 volts AC, 50Hz. 110 volts in some areas and 230 DC in parts of the south. Continental two-pin plugs are in use.
Religion: Roman Catholic.

Climate: : The northwest has mild winters with high levels of rainfall and fairly short summers. The northeast has longer winters and hot summers. In the south, summers (March to October) are warm with very little rain except in early spring and autumn. High temperatures are moderated by a permanent breeze in Estoril (July to August).
Required clothing: : Light- to medium weights and rainwear are advised.

Airports

Lisbon (LIS) (Portela de Sacavem) is 7km (4.5 miles) north of the city (travel time - 35 minutes).
Faro (FAO) is 4km (3 miles) west of the city (travel time - 30 minutes).
Faro and Oporto airports both have the following airport facilities: outgoing duty-free shop; bank/bureau de change; car hire and a restaurant/bar.

Departure tax: None.

Internal Travel

Air, Sea/River, Rail and Road are the modes of transportation used within Portugal.

Passport/Visa

Passport:
Passport valid for at least three months beyond intended departure required by all except:
EU nationals and nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland holding valid national ID cards.

Visas :
Required by all except the following for stays of up to 90 days:

• Nationals referred to in the chart and under passport exemptions above;

• Nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Korea (Rep), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela;

• Transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft, provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport. However, nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem Rep), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Somalia and Sri Lanka always require a transit visa, even when not leaving the airport transit area; contact the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) for details.