Do I Need Travel Insurance For Portugal?
Portugal has one of the highest ranks on the Global Peace Index, and I experienced a memorable and safe journey. Like my every trip to a country with incredible beaches, we wanted to try all the water activities worry-free, so we got ourselves travel insurance for Portugal.
International travel insurance is a must on my trip anywhere, even in the safest places, to bring peace of mind.
- Read this: 1-day Side Trip from Lisbon
What are the Passport and Visa Requirements for Travel to Portugal?
Are you coming from the United States of America? No visa requirements are needed if you only stay for less than 90 days.
For tourists planning to stay more than 90 days, you need to apply for a visa, and the same goes for students planning to study in the country.
Should I Have Travel Insurance for Portugal?
You must apply for your visa at least a month before your departure: Here are the essential requirements to process your visa.
- You must have a passport valid for three months beyond your stay in Portugal. Make sure to renew your passport as needed.
- You need international health insurance with an emergency medical evacuation and repatriation benefit. The minimum medical insurance coverage must be € 30,000.
Is Portugal Classed As Europe For Travel Insurance?
The classification depends on the travel insurance company. Some let you pick the country you will be traveling to, while others are by continent.
While some include Portugal in their Schengen Travel Insurance, others can find Portugal travel insurance is classified under Europe.
When using Heymondo, you can select Portugal as your destination, add the dates, and get a quote. You also have private health insurance options based on your budget and requirements.
If you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you can still have the same medical insurance coverage you can get in your country in Portugal. UK citizens and EU citizens also have access to medical services in public hospitals.
Global health insurance cards (GHIC) are also accepted in the country.
How Much is Travel Insurance to Portugal?
Luckily, many companies around the world offer travel insurance, like HeyMondo. You get 5% off your travel insurance when you use this link. You can get travel insurance for your Portugal trip for as low as $20.
Travel insurances are typically cheaper compared to your overall trip cost in Portugal. The average spend for travel insurance is $25, but if you want well-covered insurance, especially those required for a visa, it can go as high as $40.
What Does Travel Insurance for Portugal Cover?
Most travel insurance companies let you choose the best travel insurance based on your budget, trip, schedule, and additional coverage.
Others, however, only provide a strict set of travel insurance options. Most travel insurances are affordable, so spending a few dollars may help you for emergencies during your trip.
Here are some of the recommended coverage to have:
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Medical expenses
- Trip cancellation or abandonment, delay, and missed departures
- Stolen baggage or baggage loss insurance
- Passport theft or loss
- Repatriation
- Personal liability
Medical Expenses
Heymondo has a Top plan, and a Premium plan for you to choose from that covers medical expenses from €3,500,000 up to €10,000,000.
Travel insurance protects you from medical expenses for medical conditions like emergency dental, quarantine, outpatient, and lodging expenses.
They also offer other medical assistance, such as medical repatriation and transportation with companions. Expenses from search and rescue, rental cars, accidents, and personal liability are also covered. Get a quote here.
Other Expenses Covered
Heymondo also covers your baggage loss and damages, natural disasters, travel disruption, early return, and trip resumption. You can add electronic equipment, outdoor sports, and cruise emergency coverage.
How Can I Make a Travel Insurance Claim?
Unlike most insurance companies, travel insurance claims can be made easily online. You can download their app, contact customer support, and gather the necessary documents.
Heymondo has 24-hour ready customer support via chat and free calls. They also connect you to a hospital or medical institution for medical care. The referral is also free of charge.
Which Vaccines Are Mandatory In Portugal?
You will never have to worry about vaccine requirements in Portugal. The country does not require travelers to have any vaccine certificates.
However, WHO and PHAC recommend getting a couple of vaccines when visiting the country. Here are some of the recommended but not required vaccines:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Rabies
- Pneumonia and Influenza
- Meningitis
- Measles
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (TDAP)
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Chickenpox
- Shingles
- Polio
Covid Requirements
When Portugal and most countries opened for travelers, they required a handful of COVID-19 requirements.
In July 2022, travelers entering Portugal and other national territories like Azores and Madeira do not need to present their COVID-19 negative result or the COVID-EU certificate.
You also don’t need to wear a mask in the country but remember that you must wear one in medical institutions.
Get travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage.
Portugal Travel Tips
From money exchange to transportation, we tried our best to find out how to go around the country. Here are some of the things we considered in our Portugal trip.
Currency
Portugal’s currency is in euro. If you come from outside EU countries, you can easily exchange cash in the country. Here are some ways:
Multibancos: The Multibancos are everywhere, especially in Porto. You can use these machines to convert your cash if you need euros. But the rate exchange fees are slightly higher than your own bank.
There are also multiple ATMs throughout the country, so to look out for Multibancos, look for the MB symbol. We suggest only using the service when you really need cash.
Banks: Another way to exchange your USD or any currency is in a bank. You can go to the banks near you and have your money exchanged into euros, but nowadays, only a few banks offer money exchange services in Portugal.
Bureaux De Change/Cambios: Besides Multibancos and banks, currency exchange businesses offer the best rates and service charges. Many currency exchange posts are open for 7 days in popular tourist areas.
Debit and credit cards are accepted as payment options in Portugal, but you have to pay in cash in most places. Make sure to exchange more than your expected travel budget if you want to travel to more places.
Transportation
You can easily find suitable transportation when traveling to the country’s top tourist spots. If you plan to go to off-beaten destinations, you may need to rent a car and look carefully at the routes.
Local Flights: Portugal is a big country, and we wanted to go to several cities, so we booked local flights to get to some destinations quickly. Domestic flights in Portugal are the most convenient option for people visiting the country for 3 to 5 days.
You can book domestic air travel from Azores Airlines, Orbest, and SATA Air Açores! Compared to other local options, domestic flights are the most convenient. Get your flight tickets here.
Train: If you have time to stroll around the country, how about traveling via the Portuguese railway? It’s affordable and can get you to a different part of Portugal and other locations in France and Spain.
You can get your train admission at ticket offices. If you want to buy from the train station, look for the ticket vending machines. Buy train tickets online.
Taxis: Another convenient way to travel within the main cities and tourist destinations are via a taxi ride. Look for cars in cream color or ones painted black and green. Booking in advance is also possible, but you may have to add some fees.
Rental Car: Portugal is a safe country to drive cars, and we recommend renting one when staying for a long time. Be familiar with the road signs before hopping into your rental car.
The only problem we had experienced driving a rental car in the country was the parking space. It took us some time to park, so we spent most of our time walking instead. If you want to rent a car, get a car here.
Read: How to plan a road trip to Portugal
Lisbon Card
Lisbon Card is perfect for anyone traveling to Portugal for a day or more. The card gives you access to over 39 destinations, plus you also get access to public transportation within the city.
Ride in buses, cable railways, trams, and even the Carris metro with just one card. You can also use the Lisbon Card when you travel to some destinations via the CP trains.
General Safety Tips for Visitors
Portugal is safe for tourists, and we met some of the nicest people. But like traveling to a new country, travelers must also be extra careful.
Here are general safety tips for new travelers and some of our experiences in Portugal.
- Always carry some extra cash with you to pay for your taxi luggage. Taxis are safe to ride in Portugal, but they charge travelers for any luggage they have. On average, they charge about 1.60 EUR. Good thing we had some extra cash with us.
- If you have yet to go to a country that tips restaurants, this may be a new experience for you. Pay a 10% tip in addition to the total bill.
- Parking is a challenging experience in Portugal. You can see people waving at you for a parking space. If you take their assistance, they expect a tip from you.
- You may meet local friends as you go around Portugal. If they invite you over to their homes, go to a gift shop and buy chocolates, flowers (not red), and wine that the homeowner loves as a gift.
- Renting a car is convenient when traveling around Portugal but avoid putting all your valuable items inside the vehicle unattended.
Best Time to Visit Portugal
Portugal often has festivals within the year, and Lisbon is known to have a lot of June festivals. It also means you get to meet a lot of tourists and the accommodations and admissions are also at higher prices. Book accommodations in Portugal here.
If you want a combination of good weather and tourist activities, visit somewhere in the spring and fall seasons.
You can avoid the crowd by heading to the country in September and October. The weather is not too warm, yet you can explore the country without the crowds.
Portugal is the oldest country in Europe, with some of the most beautiful castles and beaches, giving you the best of both worlds. Travel safely with the best travel insurance for Portugal.
Plan Your Trip to Portugal
- Portugal 15-day Road Trip Itinerary + MAP
- Best Things To Do in Evora and Estremoz, Portugal
- Best Things To Do in Lisbon
- Best Things To Do in Elvas in 1 day, Alentejo, Portugal
- Best Things to do in Guimaraes
- 10 Best Things to Do in Porto
- Best Things to do in Porto in 2 Days
Last Updated on 13 September, 2023 by Veronica
Disclosure: Some of the links on this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Author: Veronica
Vero, a seasoned traveler, has explored 25 countries and lived in five, gaining a rich perspective and fostering an infectious passion for travel. With a heart full of wanderlust, Vero uncovers the world’s hidden gems and shares insights, tips, and planning advice to inspire and assist fellow adventurers. Join Vero and let the shared passion for travel create unforgettable memories.
