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Cars 4 Rental Information on Portugal

General

Area: 92,345 sq km (35,655 sq miles).

Population: 10,355,824 (2001).

Population Density: 112.0 per sq km.

Capital: Lisbon. Population: 3,468,900 (2001).

GEOGRAPHY: Portugal occupies the southwest part of the Iberian Peninsula and shares borders in the north and the east with Spain, while to the south and west lies the Atlantic Ocean. The country is divided into various provinces, including the Atlantic islands of Madeira and the Azores; the latter lying some 1220km (760 miles) due west of Lisbon. The Douro, Guadiana and Tagus rivers flow across the border from Spain. North Portugal is mountainous, the highest part being the Serra da Estrela, a popular area for skiing. South of Lisbon stretch the vast plains of the Alentejo region. A range of mountains divides the Alentejo from the Algarve, which runs along the south coast, and is one of the most popular resort areas with wide sandy beaches and attractive bays.

Government: Republic since 1910. Head of State: President Jorge Fernando Branco de Sampaio since 1996. Head of Government: Prime Minister Jos Manuel Durao Barroso since 2002.

Language: Portuguese. English is widely spoken within the business community.

Religion: Roman Catholic.

Time: GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. 110 volts in some areas and 220 DC in parts of the south. Continental two-pin plugs are in use.

Communications:

Telephone

IDD is available. Country code: 351. Outgoing international code: 00. There are call boxes in most villages and all towns; there are also public telephones in many cafes and bars, from which international calls may be made.

Mobile telephone

GSM 900/1800 networks. Operators include Optimus (website: www.optimus.pt), TMN (website: www.tmn.pt) and Vodafone (website: www.vodafone.pt). Coverage exists across the whole country.

Fax

Available at fax bureaux and large hotels in major cities.

Internet

ISPs include Esoterica, which operates an Internet Access Center, and Comnexo, Sonet and Telepac. Internet cafes exist in all urban areas, and some post offices offer Internet facilities.

Telegram

There are telegram facilities at most major hotels. The public office at Praa dos Restauradores, Lisbon is open daily 0900-1800.

Post

Post office (correios) hours: usually Mon-Fri 0800-2200, Sat-Sun 0900-1800. The post office at Lisbon Airport is open 24 hours a day. Airmail to European destinations from continental Portugal and the Azores takes 3 days; from Madeira, up to 5 days. There are poste restante facilities at post offices throughout the country.

Press

Each region has its own Portuguese-language dailies. The English-language newspapers published in Portugal include: Anglo Portuguese News (Lisbon), and The News (Algarve).

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

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Money

Single European currency (Euro): 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.

Currency exchange: Many banks offer differing exchange rates depending on the denominations of Portuguese currency being bought or sold. It is common practice for banks to charge 0.5 per cent commission with a minimum charge of approximately £6/€10. However, some banks do not charge any commission on transactions of less than €24.94. Check with banks for details and current rates. Additionally, ATMs are increasingly being installed and tend to be more efficient and only charge 2 per cent commission.

Credit & debit cards: American Express, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted, as well as Eurocheque cards. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services that may be available.

Travellers cheques: These are readily exchanged. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.

Currency restrictions: The import of local or foreign currency in cash or travellers cheques is unlimited. However, there is an obligation to inform the customs authorities if foreign currencies exceed approximately €4987.98/US$4500. The export of local currency is limited to €498.80. There are no restrictions on the export of foreign currency although currency exchange receipts may be requested for amounts over €4987.98. The export of gold, silver, jewellery and other valuables is limited to a value of €149.64 and subject to special conditions. For details, contact the Embassy; see Contact Addresses section.

Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Euro against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date Aug ’03 Nov ’03 Feb ’04 May '04
£1.00= 1.43 1.46 1.46 1.50
$1.00= 0.90 0.87 0.80 0.84

Banking hours: Generally, Mon-Fri 0830-1500 (certain banks in Lisbon are open until 1800). In the Algarve, the bank in the Vilamoura Marina Shopping Centre is open daily 0900-2100.

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Health

Special Precautions Certificate Required
Yellow Fever No 1
Cholera No No
Typhoid and Polio No N/A
Malaria No N/A

1.: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age arriving in (or going to as a destination) the Azores or Madeira, if coming from infected areas. However, no certificate is required from passengers transiting through Funchal, Porto Santo and Santa Maria.

Health care: There are full state-provided health facilities, but private practices are allowed to co-exist. There are approximately 34,389 doctors and 40,700 hospital beds. There are reciprocal health agreements with most European countries. The agreement with the UK allows free in-patient treatment in general wards of official hospitals to those presenting UK passports (other EU nationals must present form E111). Secondary examinations, X-rays and laboratory tests may have to be paid for. A nominal charge will be made for medical treatment at health centres (Centro de Sade). There may be a charge for prescribed medicines. All dental treatment must be paid for. This agreement is also effective in Madeira and the Azores (although in Madeira a fee must be paid for a GP consultation, which can then be refunded by an appointed bank). Those wishing to take advantage of it should inform the doctor prior to treatment that they wish to be treated under EU social security arrangements. Private treatment must be paid for in full. Medical fees paid whilst in Portugal cannot be reimbursed by the British NHS.

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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 mediumweights and rainwear are advised.

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Passport

Passport Required Visa Required Return Ticket Required
British Yes No 2
Australian Yes No 2
Canadian Yes No 2
USA Yes No 2
OtherEU 1 No 2
Japanese Yes No 2

Note: Portugal is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement. For further details about passport and visa regulations in the Schengen area see the introductory section How to Use This Guide.

PASSPORTS: Passport valid for up to 6 months (depending on nationality) required by all except:
1. EU nationals and nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Malta, Norway and Switzerland holding valid national ID cards.

Note: (a) Passport validity depends on nationality; for nationals of the UK, the passport must be valid for the duration of the stay in Portugal. (b) 2. A return or onward ticket and funds of €75 plus €40 per day are obligatory for all except nationals of the EU, Iceland and Norway.

VISAS: Required by all except the following for stays of up to 90 days:
(a) nationals referred to in the chart and under passport exemptions above;
(b) 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;
(c) 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.

Types of visa and cost: A uniform type of visa, the Schengen visa, is issued for touristic, private or business visits. There are three types of Schengen visa: Short-stay, Transit and Airport Transit. Visa costs are dependent on the tariff charges of the issuing country and prices may vary with exchange rates. Check with your local Embassy for the most up-to-date prices.

Note: A Schengen visa will be issued free of charge to the spouse and children of an EU national, upon presentation of the original marriage or birth certificate and a valid EU passport. For children, original full birth certificates are required.

Validity: Transit visas are valid for single or two entries of maximum 5 days, including the day of arrival. Visas cannot be extended; a new application must be made each time.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) responsible for your place of residence; see Contact Addresses section. Travellers visiting just one Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of that country; travellers visiting more than one Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of the country chosen as the main destination or the country they will enter first (if they have no main destination).

Application requirements: Tourism: (a) Passport or official travel documents accepted by Schengen countries, valid for at least 3 months longer than the validity of the visa, with blank page for attachment of visa sticker. (b) Application form. (c) One passport-size photo. (d) Proof of purpose of visit in the form of an official letter of invitation from host or business partner, provisional ticket booking and hotel booking where appropriate. (e) Proof of sufficient funds and medical insurance may also be required. (f) Fee (payable in cash or by postal order). (g) For postal applications, a large self-addressed envelope, stamped for registered or recorded delivery. (h) For applicants driving to Portugal, registration document, proof of legal ownership of the vehicle, driving licence and insurance papers. Applicants entering Portugal by land must register with the Police within 3 days of arrival. Business: (a)-(g) and, (h) Letter from employer or, if self-employed, from solicitor, accountant, bank manager or local Chamber of Commerce stating purpose and duration of the visit. This should be faxed to the relevant Consulate at least 48 hours before submitting an application. References may also be required.

Working days required: From a few days to a few weeks. Apply in plenty of time.

Temporary residence: Contact the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) for further details; see Contact Addresses section.

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