Moving to Portugal: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

10,207,177

Population Growth Rate

-0.14%

Population Distribution

concentrations are primarily along or near the Atlantic coast

both Lisbon and the second largest city, Porto, are coastal cities

Urban Population

• population: 67.9% of total population rate of
• urbanization: 0.44% annual rate of change

Population in Major Urban Areas

3.001 million LISBON (capital), 1.325 million Porto

Population: Male/Female

• male: 4,835,763
• female: 5,371,414

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Age Structure

• years: 12.7% (male 662,419/female 631,284) 15-64
• years: 65% (male 3,264,766/female 3,371,087) 65 years and
• over: 22.3% (male 908,578/female 1,369,043)

Median Age

• total: 46.4 years
• male: 44.3 years
• female: 48.3 years

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

8

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

10.9

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

1.45

Gross reproduction rate

1

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

73.9%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

73.9%

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

52.6%

Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)

29.9

Mother's mean age at first birth

29.9

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

• birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14
• years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64
• years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and
• over: 0.66 male(s)/female total
• population: 0.9 male(s)/female

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

1.5

Ethnic Groups

Portuguese 95%

citizens from Portugal’s former colonies in Africa, Asia (Han Chinese), and South America (Brazilian) and other foreign born 5%

Language Note

Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official, but locally used)

Nationality Noun

• noun: Portuguese (singular and plural)
• adjective: Portuguese

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Literacy - total population

95.9%

Literacy - male

97.8%

Literacy - female

95.9%

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

5%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

• total: 17 years
• male: 17 years
• female: 17 years

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Life Expectancy at Birth

• population: 81.9 years
• male: 78.8 years
• female: 85.2 years

Infant Mortality Rate

• total: 2.4 deaths/1,000 live births
• male: 2.8 deaths/1,000 live births
• female: 2.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

• total: 2.4 deaths/1,000 live births
• male: 2.8 deaths/1,000 live births
• female: 2.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

12

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

5.48

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

3.5

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

10.6%

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

20.8%

Tobacco Use

• total: 25.4%
• male: 30.5%
• female: 20.2%

Alcohol consumption per capita

• total: 10.37 liters of pure alcohol
• beer: 2.62 liters of pure alcohol
• wine: 6.04 liters of pure alcohol
• spirits: 1.34 liters of pure alcohol other
• alcohols: 0.37 liters of pure alcohol

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

• improved: urban: 100% of population
• rural: 99.7% of population
• total: 99.9% of population
• unimproved: urban: 0% of population
• rural: 0.3% of population
• total: 0.1% of population

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

• improved: urban: 99.9% of population
• rural: 100% of population
• total: 99.9% of population
• unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population
• rural: 0% of population
• total: 0.1% of population

Underweight - percent of children under five years

0.4%

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Economic Overview

• Evolution: In the 20th century, Portugal underwent significant economic transformations. Joining the European Union in 1986 paved the way for economic integration and development. The country embraced structural reforms, privatization, and investments in infrastructure, leading to robust economic growth during the 1990s and early 2000s. However, Portugal faced challenges such as high public debt, low productivity, and unemployment, exacerbated by the global financial crisis 2008. Post-Crisis
• Recovery: In response to the crisis, Portugal implemented austerity measures and pursued fiscal consolidation, albeit with social costs. The country underwent structural reforms in labor markets, pensions, and the financial sector, supported by external financial assistance from the EU and IMF. Despite initial hardships, Portugal's economy rebounded, with improved competitiveness, export growth, and a gradual decline in unemployment. Current Economic
• Landscape: According to the latest data, Portugal's economy continues to show resilience amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The government's swift response, including fiscal stimulus measures and support for businesses, helped cushion the crisis's impact. However, Portugal faces persistent structural issues, including an aging population, low productivity growth, and regional disparities. Key Economic
• Indicators: GDP
• Growth: Portugal's GDP growth has shown recovery, albeit at a moderate pace. In recent years, growth rates have hovered around 2%, driven by domestic consumption, exports, and tourism.
• Unemployment: While declining, unemployment rates remain above the EU average. Efforts to address youth unemployment and skills mismatches are ongoing.
• Public Debt: Portugal's public debt, though high, has gradually decreased from its peak. Continued fiscal discipline and debt sustainability are priorities for the government. External
• Trade: Portugal maintains a positive trade balance, with exports accounting for a significant portion of GDP. Key export sectors include automotive, textiles, and agro-food products.

Industries

• textiles and footwear
• wood pulp, paper, and cork
• metalworking
• oil refining
• chemicals
• fish canning
• wine
• tourism

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$27,800.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

1.6%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$331,640,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$27,800.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

1.6%

GDP - official exchange rate

$197,500,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 66.2% government
• consumption: 18.5% investment in fixed
• capital: 15.3% investment in
• inventories: 0.3% exports of goods and
• services: 41.4% imports of goods and
• services: -41.7%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

2.3%

GDP by Sector- Industry

21.6%

GDP by Sector- services

76.1%

Industrial Growth Rate

0.9%

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Inflation Rate

1.1%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

euro (EUR)

Currency Name and Code

Euro (EUR)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

6%

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Labor Force

5,570,000

Unemployment Rate

10.7%

Major Industries

• textiles and footwear
• wood pulp, paper, and cork
• metalworking
• oil refining
• chemicals
• fish canning
• wine
• tourism

Agriculture Products

grain, potatoes, olives, grapes; sheep, cattle, goats, poultry, beef, dairy products

Population Below Poverty Line

18%

Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14

36,569

Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14

3%

Child Labor - note

note: data represents children ages 6-14

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

11.7%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

28.5%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

59.8%

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Annual Budget

$93,610,000,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

69.4%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-5.1%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

43.5%

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Full Country Name

Portuguese Republic

Country Name

Portugal

Local - Long

Republica Portuguesa

Local - Short

Portugal

Etymology- history of name

name derives from the Roman designation "Portus Cale" meaning "Port of Cale"; Cale was an ancient Celtic town and port in present-day northern Portugal

Independence

• 1143 (Kingdom of Portugal recognized)
• 1 December 1640 (independence reestablished following 60 years of Spanish rule)
• 5 October 1910 (republic proclaimed)

National Holiday

Portugal Day (Dia de Portugal), 10 June (1580); note - also called Camoes Day, the day that revered national poet Luis DE CAMOES (1524-80) died

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Government Type

semi-presidential republic

Constitution

• proposed by the Assembly of the Republic
• adoption requires two-thirds majority vote of Assembly members
• amended several times, last in 2005

Legal System:

civil law system; Constitutional Court review of legislative acts

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA (since 9 March 2016)
• head of government: Prime Minister Antonio Luis MONTENEGRO (since 2 April 2024)
• cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister election/appointment
• process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); following legislative elections, the president usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister most recent election
• date: 24 January 2021
• election results: 2021: Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA (PSD) 60.7%, Ana GOMES (ran as an independent but is a member of PS) 13%, Andre VENTURA (CH) 11.9%, João FERREIRA (PCP-PEV) 4.3%, other 10.1% 2016: Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA elected president in the first round; percent of vote - Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA (PSD) 52%, António SAMPAIO DA NOVOA (independent) 22.9%, Marisa MATIAS (BE) 10.1%, Maria DE BELEM ROSEIRA (PS) 4.2%, other 10.8% expected date of next
• election: January 2026
• note: there is also a Council of State that acts as a consultative body to the president

Legislative Branch:

• Description: unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (230 seats; 226 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed-list proportional representation vote and 4 members - 2 each in 2 constituencies representing Portuguese living abroad - directly elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
• Elections: last held on 10 March 2024 (next to be held on 30 September 2028);
• Note: early elections were called after Prime Minister Antonio Luis Santos da COSTA resigned on 7 November 2023
• Election Results: percent of vote by party - AD (PSD, CDS-PP, PPM) 28.8%, PS, 28%, Enough 18.1%, IL 4.9%, BE 4.4%, L 3.2%, CDU 3.2%, other 9.4%; seats by party - AD (PSD, CDS-PP, PPM) 80, PS 78, Enough 50, IL 8, BE 5, L 4, CDU 4, other 1; composition as of March 2024 - men 155, women 75, percentage women 32.6%

Judicial Branch:

• office: Supreme Court justices nominated by the president and appointed by the Assembly of the Republic; judges appointed for life; Constitutional Court judges - 10 elected by the Assembly and 3 elected by the other Constitutional Court judges; judges elected for 6-year non-renewable terms
• subordinate courts: Supreme Administrative Court (Supremo Tribunal Administrativo); Audit Court (Tribunal de Contas); appellate, district, and municipal courts

Regions or States:

18 districts (distritos, singular - distrito) and 2 autonomous regions* (regioes autonomas, singular - regiao autonoma); Aveiro, Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Braganca, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Evora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisboa (Lisbon), Madeira*, Portalegre, Porto, Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Democratic Alliance or AD (2024 electoral alliance in the Azores, includes PSD, CDS-PP, PPM) Democratic and Social Center/People's Party (Partido do Centro Democratico Social-Partido Popular) or CDS-PP [Nuno MELO]
• Ecologist Party "The Greens" or "Os Verdes" (Partido Ecologista-Os Verdes) or PEV [Heloisa APOLONIA]
• Enough (Chega) [Andre VENTURA]
• Liberal Initiative (Iniciativa Liberal) or IL [Rui ROCHA]
• LIVRE or L [Ru TAVARES & Teresea MOTA]
• People-Animals-Nature Party (Pessoas-Animais-Natureza) or PAN [Ines SOUSA REAL]
• People's Monarchist Party or PPM [Gonçalo DA CAMARA PEREIRA]
• Portuguese Communist Party (Partido Comunista Portugues) or PCP [Paulo RAIMUNDO]
• Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata) or PSD [Luis MONTENEGRO] (formerly the Partido Popular Democratico or PPD)
• Socialist Party (Partido Socialista) or PS [Pedro Nunes SANTOS]
• The Left Bloc (Bloco de Esquerda) or BE or O Bloco [Mariana MORTAGUA]
• Unitary Democratic Coalition (Coligacao Democratica Unitaria) or CDU [Paulo RAIMUNDO] (includes PCP and PEV) (2024)

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no citizenship by descent
• only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Portugal dual citizenship
• recognized: yes residency requirement for
• naturalization: 10 years; 6 years if from a Portuguese-speaking country

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Capital Name

Lisbon

Capital - geographic coordinate

38 43 N, 9 08 W

Capital Time Difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Portugal has two time zones, including the Azores (UTC-1)

Daylight Savings Time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

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International Organization Participation:

• ADB (nonregional member)
• AfDB (nonregional member)
• Australia Group
• BIS
• CD
• CE
• CERN
• CPLP
• EAPC
• EBRD
• ECB
• EIB
• EMU
• ESA
• EU
• FAO
• FATF
• IADB
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICC (national committees)
• ICCt
• ICRM
• IDA
• IEA
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• IHO
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• IMSO
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• IPU
• ISO
• ITSO
• ITU
• ITUC (NGOs)
• LAIA (observer)
• MIGA
• NATO
• NEA
• NSG
• OAS (observer)
• OECD
• OPCW
• OSCE
• Pacific Alliance (observer)
• Paris Club (associate)
• PCA
• Schengen Convention
• SELEC (observer)
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNHCR
• UNIDO
• Union Latina
• UNOOSA
• UNWTO
• UPU
• Wassenaar Arrangement
• WCO
• WFTU (NGOs)
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO
• ZC

International Law Organization Participation:

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Randi Charno LEVINE (since 22 April 2022)
• Embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600-081 Lisboa
• Mailing Address: 5320 Lisbon Place, Washington DC 20521-5320
• Telephone: [351] (21) 727-3300
• FAX: [351] (21) 726-9109
• Email: conslisbon@state.gov
• Website: https://pt.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Francisco Antonio DUARTE LOPES (since 7 June 2022)
• Chancery: 2012 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
• Telephone: [1] (202) 350-5400
• FAX: [1] (202) 462-3726
• Email: info.washington@mne.pt
• Website: https://washingtondc.embaixadaportugal.mne.gov.pt/en/
• Consulate(s) General: Boston, Newark (NJ), New York, San Francisco consulate(s): New Bedford (MA), Providence (RI)

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Geographic Location

Europe

Geographic Coordinates

39 30 N, 8 00 W

Total Area

35,556 Square Miles 92,090 Square Kilometers

Land Area

35,317 Square Miles 91,470 Square Kilometers

Water Area

239 Square Miles 620 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

754 Miles 1,214 Kilometers

Border Countries

Spain 1,214 km

Coastline

1,114 Miles 1,793 Kilometers

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Terrain

mountainous north of the Tagus River, rolling plains in south

Highest Point

2,351 Meters

Highest Point Location

Ponta do Pico (Pico or Pico Alto) on Ilha do Pico in the Azores 2,351 m

Lowest Point Location

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources

fish, forests (cork), iron ore, copper, zinc, tin, tungsten, silver, gold, uranium, marble, clay, gypsum, salt, arable land, hydropower

Irrigated Land

2,254 Square Miles 5,837 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Portugal has two time zones, including the Azores (UTC-1)

Daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

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Climate

Mainland Portugal experiences two distinct seasons.

From late October to mid-May rain is frequent and sometimes heavy.

Temperatures may drop into the low 30s at night during the coldest months, with daytime highs in the 50s and 60s.

Annual variations in rainfall can be considerable, with years of flooding followed by years of drought.

The remainder of the year is normally sunny with minimal rainfall.

Days are pleasant, with temperatures seldom exceeding 95° F, except in the southern interior of the country.

Afternoons and evenings are breezy, with nighttime temperatures in the 60s and low 70s.

Spells of intense heat are infrequent and last only a few days.

The Tagus River, flowing west into the Atlantic at Lisbon divides mainland Portugal into two distinct climatic regions.

The northern part is relatively cool and rainy.

In the south the climate is drier and warmer, particularly in the interior.

The Azores climate tends to be moist and moderate throughout the year.

Terrain

mountainous north of the Tagus River, rolling plains in south

Location

Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain

Total Area

35,556 Square Miles 92,090 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

Spain 1,214 km

Environment - Current Issues

• soil erosion
• air pollution caused by industrial and vehicle emissions
• water pollution, especially in coastal areas

Environment - International Agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Environmental Modification

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Exports

$46,270,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$68,220,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

clothing and footwear, machinery, chemicals, cork and paper products, hides

Major Imports

machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum, textiles, agricultural products

Top Export Partners

Spain 20.3%, Germany 18.4%, France 12.6%, UK 10.5%, US 5.8%, Italy 4.8%, Belgium 4.5%

Top Import Partners

Spain 28.1%, Germany 15%, France 10.2%, Italy 6.5%, UK 5.2%, Netherlands 4.5%

Export Partners

Spain 20.3%, Germany 18.4%, France 12.6%, UK 10.5%, US 5.8%, Italy 4.8%, Belgium 4.5%

Import Partners

Spain 28.1%, Germany 15%, France 10.2%, Italy 6.5%, UK 5.2%, Netherlands 4.5%

Country Description

Portugal is a developed and stable democracy with a developed economy. Tourist facilities are widely available.

Safety & Security

Portugal remains largely free of terrorist incidents; however, like other countries in the Schengen area, Portugal’s open borders with its Western European neighbors allow possible terrorist groups to enter and exit the country with anonymity.

U.S. citizens are reminded to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security.

General strikes and public protests against government austerity measures have occurred with increased frequency during 2012.

These are rarely violent, but travelers are advised to avoid areas where these public protests are taking place.

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Crime

• areas: Lisbon: Pick pocketing and purse snatchings in the Lisbon area are most likely to occur in buses, hotel lobbies, restaurants, the airport, trains, train stations, and trams, especially onboard tram number 28 to the Castle of São Jorge. At restaurants, items that hang over the backs of chairs or are placed on the floor are particularly vulnerable. Unattended luggage can be stolen at the Lisbon Airport. You should take special care in the Oriente, Santa Apolonia, and Rossio train stations, the Sete Rios bus station, the Alfama, Baixa and Bairro Alto districts, and the tourist area of Belém. Outside
• Lisbon: Thefts have been reported in the popular tourist destination towns of Sintra, Cascais, Mafra, Fatima, and in the Algarve. Thieves reportedly scout parking areas alongside tourist attractions and beaches watching for rented cars. You should take special care when parking at the Moorish Castle and Pena Palace in Sintra; and at the beachfront areas of Guincho, Cabo da Roca, and Boca do Inferno. We have received some reports that vacation homes have been robbed in the Algarve. When renting vacation lodging, make sure to assess the accommodation’s security systems.
• Madeira: Pick pocketing, while infrequent, may occur in the Old Town and Santa Catarina Park areas of Funchal.
• Trains: Public transportation is considered safe and reliable; however, during the summer months, there are occasionally reports of youth gangs accosting passengers riding trains between Lisbon, Cascais, and Sintra. The authorities have increased their patrols in response to these incidents.
• Taxis: Taxis are a reliable means of transportation, though you should be alert to possible discrepancies between the meter fare and the amount requested by the driver. Always ask the taxi driver to use the meter. A tourism information kiosk in the arrivals area of the Lisbon airport sells taxi vouchers at standardized prices for many locations in the city and metro area. As part of this voucher service, a member of the tourism office will also escort you to your taxi. Some cases have been reported involving taxi drivers in the arrivals area of the airport who overcharge, threaten and/or harass passengers.
• Beaches: Beaches are generally considered safe, but beachgoers should not leave their personal belongings unattended. Youth gangs have been known to congregate along the beaches between Lisbon and Cascais and occasionally accost beach-goers. The authorities have increased their patrols in response to these incidences. Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Portugal, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own..

Although it is not illegal, it is advisable not to take pictures of military and security sites in Portugal.

You can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy bootleg or pirated goods.Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Portugal, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not wherever you go.

Possession and use of narcotic drugs is an administrative offense in Portugal, and users can face mandatory drug treatment.

Penalties for trafficking in illegal drugs are severe, and offenders can expect long jail sentences.

Arrest notifications in host country: While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case.

To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

Languages Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official, but locally used)

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Medical Facilities

Good medical care is available, but facilities may be limited outside urban areas.

Public hospitals offer services at costs lower than private hospitals, but sometimes do not maintain the same comforts as hospitals in the United States.

You should obtain insurance that covers medical services from a private Portuguese hospital or clinic.

Private hospitals will ask for a credit card or other form of payment upon admission.

In a life-threatening emergency, you can ask for a public ambulance by calling the national emergency response telephone number, 112.

On the other hand, private ambulances should only be used for transport, not life-threatening emergencies, and usually require on-the-spot payment.

Note that the responsiveness of emergency services is not up to U.S. standards.

Prescription Medicines: Travelers sometimes request that relatives or friends in the United States mail prescription medicines to them in Portugal, but doing so violates Portuguese law and usually results in the shipment of medications being impounded by the Portuguese customs office.

When this occurs, your medications may not be released.

If you use prescription medicine, you must bring a sufficient supply with you to cover your anticipated stay in Portugal, along with a copy of your physician's prescription.

Should an unforeseen need for prescription refills or new medications arise, Portuguese pharmacies generally carry equivalent medications to those found in the United States; however, they may be sold under a different brand, may not be available in the same dosage, and may require a prescription from a local doctor.

Traffic Safety

While in Portugal, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

While Portugal has significantly expanded its motorway network with well-constructed roads, leading to a resulting decrease in accidents and fatalities, its road-accident fatality rate is still higher than the EU average, according to Eurostat.

You should use caution, as aggressive driving habits and high speeds pose special hazards.

Use appropriate care and caution while on the roadways, practice safe driving habits, and adhere to the applicable speed limits.

Fines for traffic offenses are substantial in Portugal.

Speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and the use of mobile phones while driving are heavily penalized.

Use of seatbelts is mandatory for drivers and passengers.

Small children must be in child safety seats with the seatbelts fastened in the back of your car.

The police in continental Portugal have the authority to fine on-the-spot and most of their vehicles have portable ATM machines to facilitate immediate payment.

Taxis are a reliable means of transportation, but are subject to the same road conditions listed above.

Refer to the crime section of this page to alert yourself to other threats relating to taxis.

Buses are reliable.

In the Azores, driving can be challenging due to narrow cobblestone streets, blind curves, blind corners, and herds of cows on country roads.

In contrast to the situation on the Portuguese mainland, payments are not made on the spot; traffic violations are registered by radar and later forwarded to the offender via the postal service.

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.

U.S. citizen visitors to Portugal may drive with a valid U.S. driver's license for up to six months.

For international driving permits, please contact AAA or the National Auto Club.

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Airports - total

64

Airports with Paved Runways

43

Railways

2,062 Miles 3,319 Kilometers

Roadways- total

51,512 Miles 82,900 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

44,300 Miles 71,294 Kilometers

Waterways

130 Miles 210 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Aveiro, Funchal (Madeira Islands), Horta (Azores), Leixoes, Lisbon, Porto, Ponta Delgada (Azores), Praia da Vitoria (Azores), Setubal, Viana do Castelo

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Pipelines: Gas

835 Miles 1,344 Kilometers

Pipelines: Oil

7 Miles 11 Kilometers

Pipelines: Refined Products

117 Miles 188 Kilometers

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Telephones

4,049,000

Cell Phones

13,413,000

Internet Users

3,549,000

Internet Country Code

.pt

Internet Hosts

3,267,000

Broadcast Media

• Radio e Televisao de Portugal (RTP),the publicly-owned TV broadcaster, operates 2 domestic channels and external service channels to Africa
• overall, roughly 40 domestic TV stations
• viewers have widespread access to international broadcasters with more than half of all households connected to multi-channel cable or satellite TV systems
• publicly owned radio operates 3 national networks and provides regional and external services
• several privately owned national radio stations and some 300 regional and local commercial radio stations

Telephone System

• assessment: Portugal's telephone system has a state-of-the-art network with broadband, high-speed capabilities
• domestic: integrated network of coaxial cables, open-wire, microwave radio relay, and domestic satellite earth stations
• international: country code - 351; a combination of submarine cables provide connectivity to Europe, North and East Africa, South Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the US; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to Azores

10 facts — expand for details.

Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

48,780,000,000

Electricity Exports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

1,313,000,000

Electricity Imports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

10,740,000,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

44,470,000,000

Natural Gas Consumption - Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

5,143,000,000

Natural Gas Imports- Cubic Meters (cu m)

5,185,000,000

Natural Gas Production- Cubic Meters (cu m)

4,904,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

259,700

Oil Imports- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

222,300

Oil Production- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

3,745

2 facts — expand for details.

Anthem History

• adopted 1910
• "A Portuguesa" was originally written to protest the Portuguese monarchy's acquiescence to the 1890 British ultimatum forcing Portugal to give up areas of Africa
• the lyrics refer to the "insult" that resulted from the event

Anthem Lyrics

Heróis do mar, nobre povo, Nação valente, imortal Levantai hoje de novo, O esplendor de Portugal Entre as brumas da memória, Ó pátria sente-se a voz Dos teus egrégios avós Que há-de guiar-te à vitória. Às armas! Às armas!

Sobre a terra e sobre o mar! Às armas! Às armas!

Pela Pátria lutar!

Contra os canhões marchar, marchar!

Desfralda a invicta bandeira À luz viva do teu céu Brade a Europa à terra inteira Portugal não pereceu!

Beija o solo teu jucundo O oceano a rujir d'amor E o teu braço vencedor Deu mundos novos ao Mundo! [coro] Saudai o sol que desponta Sobre um ridente porvir; Seja o eco d'uma afronta O sinal de ressurgir.

Raios d'essa aurora forte São como beijos de mae Que nos guardam, nos sustêm, Contra as injú rias da sorte.