Travel to Portugal from the UK: Must-know travel advice

Key takeaways:

• You can travel to Portugal from the UK for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
• Portugal consistently ranks as one of the safest countries for travel in both Europe and the world. Still, there are some common sense precautions you’ll need to take.
• Cash is king in Portugal, though card and mobile payment options are widely accepted, especially in cities.
• Official Multibanco ATMs in Portugal don’t have any extra fees for using them.

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Portugal entry requirements and documents from the UK Is it safe to travel to Portugal? Managing your money in Portugal Best ways to convert GBP to Euros (and what to avoid) How to pay in Portugal: Cards, cash and mobile payments How much does it cost to travel to Portugal Hidden travel costs to watch out for in Portugal Essential laws and travel rules in Portugal Emergency contacts and safety tips Travelling to Portugal? Use Wise for low-cost currency conversion and spending FAQs on travelling to Portugal from UK Can I use my UK Phone in Portugal? What type of plug adapter do I need for Portugal? Is travel insurance required for travelling to Portugal?

Maybe you’re jetting off to Lisbon for a culture-packed city break, sipping wine along the Douro River, or kicking back on the black sand beaches of Madeira. Whatever your destination, this guide is here to help you have a safe and memorable trip to Portugal. We’ll lay out the key info on visa and entry requirements, health and safety essentials, laws and currency, money and customs and much more.

We’ll also show you a convenient and cost-effective way to spend in Portugal – the Wise debit card. It’s designed for low-cost spending in 150+ countries. This clever international debit card automatically converts your pounds to Euros whenever and wherever you spend, for low, transparent fees* and mid-market exchange rates.

Learn more about the Wise debit card 💳

Portugal entry requirements and documents from the UK

Before you travel to Portugal from the UK, you’ll need to know about the country’s entry requirements for UK nationals.

Luckily, as with all Schengen Zone countries, you won’t need to apply for a visa in advance, and can stay in Portugal up to 90 days within a 180-day period. That means that you’ll need to keep evidence of when you arrived, whether that’s a stamp in your passport or printed out plane tickets.

This 90-day window applies not only to visits for tourism purposes, but also visiting friends and family, attending business meetings, cultural or sports events or short term studies or training.

Under the Schengen Area Rules, your passport will also need to have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive. It should also have an ‘expiry date’ of at least three months after you plan to leave the Schengen Area.

Border control agents might also ask you to show a return or onward ticket as well as proof of travel insurance or that you have enough money for your visit.

Is it safe to travel to Portugal?

Portugal is consistently ranked as one of the safest countries in Europe, not to mention the world.² However, you’ll still need to take some common sense precautions.

Crime rates are low, but especially in areas with a lot of tourists, bag snatching and theft from holiday properties are common.

Make sure that you lock all doors and windows at your accommodation to stay secure.

Drink spiking isn’t common but it does occur so keep an eye on whatever you order. Also, know your limits, as drinks in Portugal tend to be stronger than those in the UK.

There is also a risk of pickpocketing on public transport, so be sure to keep an eye on your belongings, especially at crowded bus and tram stops.

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office lists more safety precautions in Portugal to look out for, including region-specific advice.³

Managing your money in Portugal

All around Portugal, you’ll be able to pay with Euros (€). You can either exchange your British pounds directly, take money out of an ATM, pay with a debit or credit card or use mobile payment options such as Apple Pay.

Best ways to convert GBP to Euros (and what to avoid)

You can change your British pounds for Euros in the UK, or when you arrive in Portugal. Just make sure to get the best exchange rate by watching out for added fees/commission, which can be steep at airports or hotels.

Spending on a debit or credit card is also an option. Portugal has plenty of ATMs, especially in larger cities and the centres of smaller towns and villages. The main ATM network is called Multibanco, and you’ll find plenty of them at train stations, in shopping centres and at bank branches. Other ATMs can be found under the name Caixa Automático.⁴* *

Many UK credit cards charge a transaction fee of around 2.75 to 2.99 percent for purchases made in foreign currencies.⁵

Avoid getting hit with high fees and poor exchange rates at airports and other exchange houses by using the Wise debit card. You’ll then be able to spend in 40+ currencies by automatically converting your pounds at the mid-market exchange rate, only adding a tiny currency conversion fee* – or it’s free if you already have the local currency in your Wise account.

How to pay in Portugal: Cards, cash and mobile payments

Cash is still king in Portugal, though cards are widely accepted, especially in larger cities.

You’ll be able to use your UK contactless card, and in Lisbon can even pay for your metro ride by tapping it.

Many businesses in large cities will also accept mobile payment options such as Apple and Google Pay. Portugal’s own MB Way is the most popular form of mobile payment in the country, though you’ll need an account with the Portuguese MB Way in order to use it.⁵

Multibanco ATMs don’t have any fees to use them. Privately operated ATMs such as Euronet can come with a fixed surcharge of up to €3–€7 per withdrawal.⁴

How much does it cost to travel to Portugal

There are over 1,000 flights departing every week from the UK to Portugal. The costs will vary quite a bit, however, depending on the route you take, whether you travel during the high season and your airline. Many budget airlines such as Wizz Air UK, easyJet and RyanAir offer direct flights to Portugal from major cities in the UK.

Flight Bookings website Skyscanner lists September as the cheapest month to travel from the UK to Portugal.⁶

A Friday to Friday flight from London Stansted (STN) to Faro in southern Portugal — a common budget airline route — will cost around £88 when you fly slightly off season.

A flight departing at the same time and location to Lisbon will cost around £180 roundtrip.

Costs can also vary a bit once you’re in Portugal. We broke down the average costs of accommodation at a mid-range hotel, dinner for two and a one-way public transport ticket at three major cities in south (Faro), central (Lisbon) and northern (Porto) Portugal in GBP.⁷

Category	Lisbon	Porto	Faro (Algarve)
Accomodation at mid-range hotel	£94	£67	£63
Dinner for 2	£46	£43	£38
Public Transport (one-way ticket)	£1.28	£1.28	£1.28
Main Sights	Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, Tram 28, Alfama District	Ribeira district, Livraria Lello, Douro Riverfront	Old Town, Ria Formosa, beaches

Hidden travel costs to watch out for in Portugal

Portugal is generally an affordable destination for travellers from the UK, but your daily expenditures can quickly add up if you’re not aware of some smaller costs.

• Those yummy-looking bread and olives (pão e acepipes) being brought to your table aren’t usually free. If you don’t want to eat them, simply ask your waiter to bring them back.
• If you hire a car, be aware that many roads are toll roads, which will add to your overall expenses.
• You’ll usually need to pay a tourist tax for paid overnight stays. The fee varies around the country -- for example, it’s set at €4 per night in Lisbon and €3 per night in Porto.⁹

🇵🇹 Read more: Portugal tourist tax - How much is it?

Essential laws and travel rules in Portugal

As a guest in Portugal, here are some of the customs and laws you’ll need to know to have a safe and respectful visit.

• You can only gamble in places officially licensed by the government, like casinos. This applies to all games of chance, including Bingo.
• Smuggling illegal drugs, including cannabis, into Portugal carries heavy fines and potentially long jail sentences.
• Be sure to always carry some form of personal ID with you, as you’ll be required to show it to police or authorities when asked.
• The town of Albufeira in the Algarve region has a long list of rules that need to be followed in public places, and are subject to steep fines when broken.³
• You can use your UK license to hire a car in Portugal, which follows right-hand driving rules. Just like in the UK, it’s compulsory to wear a seat belt, with fines for not doing so set between €120 and €600.¹⁰

Emergency contacts and safety tips

If you experience an emergency situation during your trip, these are the numbers to call:

• 112 is the Europe-wide number for police, fire, or medical emergencies, and will connect you to local Portuguese authorities.
• 808 24 24 24 is the number for all health and medical queries
• 116 000 is the hotline for missing children

All of these numbers operate 24/7, seven days a week.¹¹

Be sure to keep the contact of your travel insurance provider handy in case you need to make a claim or require assistance.

Travelling to Portugal? Use Wise for low-cost currency conversion and spending

Open a Wise account online and you can order the Wise debit card for a one-time fee of £7. You can use this clever card in 150+ countries, including Portugal.

It automatically converts your pounds to local currency whenever you spend using the mid-market exchange rate, only adding a tiny, transparent conversion fee* – or it’s free if you already have the local currency in your Wise account.

🚀 Sign up with Wise for free

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FAQs on travelling to Portugal from UK

Here are some of the top questions:

Can I use my UK Phone in Portugal?

After Brexit, UK phone carriers were no longer required to offer roaming services for free in the EU. Many still do up to a certain amount of data or roaming plan, however. O2 for example offers free EU roaming for up to 25 GB per month¹² whereas Vodafone UK gives you the option to pay around £2 extra per day.¹³ Alternatively you can get an eSim card to avoid roaming charges.

What type of plug adapter do I need for Portugal?

In order to use your electronics in Portugal, you’ll need a Type C/F adapter for power plugs and sockets, which are suitable for the standard voltage of 230 v at a frequency of 50 Hz.¹⁴

Is travel insurance required for travelling to Portugal?

While UK residents are not legally required to have travel insurance for Portugal, taking out a policy is still highly recommended. Your GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) grants access to state-provided healthcare in Portugal but still doesn’t cover private medical treatment, emergency repatriation to the UK or trip cancellations, lost baggage or delays.¹⁵

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Sources used:

1. Portugal Entry Requirements -- UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
2. Safest Countries in the World Ranking -- World Population Review
3. Portugal Travel Advice -- UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
4. ATMs in Portugal -- Wise
5. Using Your Debit Card Abroad -- Barclays
6. Cash or Card in Portugal -- Wise
7. Flights from the UK to Portugal -- Wise
8. Cost of Living -- Numeo
9. Tourism Tax in Portugal -- Wise
10. Driving in Portugal -- RAC
11. Emergency Contacts in Portugal - Portuguese Government Portal
12. EU Roaming -- O2
13. Global Roaming -- Vodafone UK
14. Plug Adapters -- Travel Adaptors
15. Applying for healthcare coverage abroad with UK GHIC -- NHS

Sources last checked on 23-Sept-2025.