GENERAL INFORMATION

Passport

Please make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after your planned return.

Visas

Visas are not required for British nationals.

Electricity

The electric current in Portugal is 230/400 volts at a frequency of 50 hertz and sockets comply with European standards. You will need a 230 volt transformer and an adaptor to use American-style flat-prong plugs.

Health & Travel Insurance

Please ensure you have medical and repatriation cover and have given Lightline the name and telephone number of your insurance company together with the policy number. As this is part of the Terms and Conditions that you have accepted we have the right to refuse passage if this is not complied with.


If you are having problems finding the right insurance please contact us and we will be able to arrange this for you.


You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Italian nationals. An (EHIC) will not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. Read More...

Medicines & other essentials

If you have any medical conditions, which require you to take medicines or if you have special essential dietary requirements, please don’t forget to take these with you as they may not be available at your destination.

Average monthly temperatures

Currency

The unit of currency is the European euro.   You are able to get the euros from any local ATMs.  All major credit cards are widely accepted in Portugal (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, etc.). The ATMs accept UK debit and credit cards.  Sterling is not normally accepted.  Traveller’s cheques are not recommended as they are harder to cash.  Credit cards are the best way of settling your room bill.

Gratuities & Donations

Service is included in the bill in restaurants, though it is customary to leave an additional tip of about 5-10% of the total. It is also normal to tip taxi drivers 5-10 % or rounding up the amount paid to the nearest euro.

Smoking

Since 1 January 2008, smoking has been prohibited in enclosed public spaces in Portugal.

This ban extends to all government buildings, work places, public transport, healthcare establishments, laboratories and pharmacies, schools and other educational establishments, indoor sports facilities, museums, shops selling food and drink, indoor car parks, concert and theatre halls, libraries, hotels, and service stations.

Restaurants, bars and discotheques with a floor area of more than 100 m2 must clearly mark out areas where smoking is allowed, which must have adequate ventilation and may not amount to more than 30% of the total area.

The owners of restaurants, bars and discotheques with a floor area of less than 100 m2 can choose whether these are to be smoking or non-smoking areas, and must clearly display this information so that it is visible outside the building. These areas must have good ventilation.