Portugal - Things to Know
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Portugal - Things to Know
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Portugal - Things to Know -
Climate:
Sitting right by the Atlantic Ocean but still close to Mediterranean sea, Portugal has a mild winter and a warm summer with average temperatures during the months of June and July rising to 26C. The closer you are to the coast the more moderate temperatures get. Inland, temperatures can be painfully hot, soaring as high as 40C.
Politics:
Portugal has been a republic since 1910. It had Europe's longest dictatorship which lasted for more than 40 years only ending in 1974 with the Revolution of the Carnations. Since then the country has lived a stable democratic life, with the balance of power shifting regularly between the two biggest political parties, the ruling centre PSD and opposition left-of-centre PS.
Population:
Portugal has a population of 10.5m scattered all around the country. Lisbon, the capital, is the biggest city with around one million inhabitants. There is also a large community of foreign residents, most of them refugees from the African colonies. According to the latest data, there are more than 225,000 legalised immigrants living in Portugal.
Society:
Due to a strong Roman Catholic influence, Portugal is still a very conservative and traditional country. Portuguese people are considered to be very friendly and welcoming. A handshake is the norm when introduced to someone but do not be surprised if you get a kiss on each cheek.
Visas:
Nationals of European Union (EU) do not need a visa for any length of stay in Portugal. Citizens from Canada, New Zealand, the United States and Australia can stay up to 90 days without a visa.
Driving:
All nationals of the EU can use their home driving license. All UK citizens with the old, pre-EU green licenses should also bring an international Driving Permit (IDP). Portugal all so accepts licenses issued in Brazil, Switzerland and the US. All other nationals will need to get an IDP. Remember, the Portuguese drive on the right side. Keep in mind that Portuguese drivers can be quiet reckless, especially in major cities.
Money:
On 1 January 2002, Portugal officially embraced the euro currency. One English pound is approximately €1.6, while one US dollar is approximately €0.80.
Exchanging money:
Portuguese banks will exchange almost any currency but charge a fee for the service. Travellers' cheques are also widely accepted but, again, are subject to a fee. It is always advisable to bring a Visa/MasterCard because almost every town will have a 24 hour ATM ("Multibanco") machine.
Discounts:
There are many services that have discounts for students, teachers and people under 26 or over 59 years of age. The international student ID provides discounts in museums, cinemas and even some shops.
Tipping:
Tipping in Portugal is customary and it is usually appropriate to add on five to ten per cent of the total price when settling a restaurant bill. Haggling is also common practice in markets and even in some shops.
Time:
Portugal, like the UK, is on GMT in winter and GMT plus one hour during summer. This means that Portugal time is always an hour behind the rest of the EU (CET).
Electricity:
Electricity is 220V, 50Hz
Weights and measures:
Portugal uses the metric system. This means that distances are in kilometres (km), weights in kilogrammes (kg), volumes in litres (l) and temperature in degrees Celsius (C).
Health:
Portugal, like the rest of the EU, presents no real health hazards. Watch out for sunburn and bring plenty of mosquito repellant. All tap water is fine to drink throughout the country.
Smoking:
Things are slowly changing but smoking is still permitted almost anywhere in Portugal. All public transport is non-smoking, but you are free to smoke in stadiums during football matches.
Emergencies:
The nationwide free emergency telephone number is 112. This number is for the police, the fire service and any other emergencies (including car accidents).
Business Hours:
Most shops will open from 9.00 to 12.30 before closing for lunch, opening again at 14.00 and closing around 19.00. Banks open at 8.30 and close at 15.00, Monday to Friday. Government offices as well as post offices open from 9.00 to 12.30, and from 14.00 to 18.00. Museums are closed on Mondays and generally open from 10.00 to 12.30, and from 14.00 to 17.00 on other days.
Article provided by kind permission of The Leader Newspaper
More articles: 12 - 13 - 14 -15 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 19
Climate:
Sitting right by the Atlantic Ocean but still close to Mediterranean sea, Portugal has a mild winter and a warm summer with average temperatures during the months of June and July rising to 26C. The closer you are to the coast the more moderate temperatures get. Inland, temperatures can be painfully hot, soaring as high as 40C.
Politics:
Portugal has been a republic since 1910. It had Europe's longest dictatorship which lasted for more than 40 years only ending in 1974 with the Revolution of the Carnations. Since then the country has lived a stable democratic life, with the balance of power shifting regularly between the two biggest political parties, the ruling centre PSD and opposition left-of-centre PS.
Population:
Portugal has a population of 10.5m scattered all around the country. Lisbon, the capital, is the biggest city with around one million inhabitants. There is also a large community of foreign residents, most of them refugees from the African colonies. According to the latest data, there are more than 225,000 legalised immigrants living in Portugal.
Society:
Due to a strong Roman Catholic influence, Portugal is still a very conservative and traditional country. Portuguese people are considered to be very friendly and welcoming. A handshake is the norm when introduced to someone but do not be surprised if you get a kiss on each cheek.
Visas:
Nationals of European Union (EU) do not need a visa for any length of stay in Portugal. Citizens from Canada, New Zealand, the United States and Australia can stay up to 90 days without a visa.
Driving:
All nationals of the EU can use their home driving license. All UK citizens with the old, pre-EU green licenses should also bring an international Driving Permit (IDP). Portugal all so accepts licenses issued in Brazil, Switzerland and the US. All other nationals will need to get an IDP. Remember, the Portuguese drive on the right side. Keep in mind that Portuguese drivers can be quiet reckless, especially in major cities.
Money:
On 1 January 2002, Portugal officially embraced the euro currency. One English pound is approximately €1.6, while one US dollar is approximately €0.80.
Exchanging money:
Portuguese banks will exchange almost any currency but charge a fee for the service. Travellers' cheques are also widely accepted but, again, are subject to a fee. It is always advisable to bring a Visa/MasterCard because almost every town will have a 24 hour ATM ("Multibanco") machine.
Discounts:
There are many services that have discounts for students, teachers and people under 26 or over 59 years of age. The international student ID provides discounts in museums, cinemas and even some shops.
Tipping:
Tipping in Portugal is customary and it is usually appropriate to add on five to ten per cent of the total price when settling a restaurant bill. Haggling is also common practice in markets and even in some shops.
Time:
Portugal, like the UK, is on GMT in winter and GMT plus one hour during summer. This means that Portugal time is always an hour behind the rest of the EU (CET).
Electricity:
Electricity is 220V, 50Hz
Weights and measures:
Portugal uses the metric system. This means that distances are in kilometres (km), weights in kilogrammes (kg), volumes in litres (l) and temperature in degrees Celsius (C).
Health:
Portugal, like the rest of the EU, presents no real health hazards. Watch out for sunburn and bring plenty of mosquito repellant. All tap water is fine to drink throughout the country.
Smoking:
Things are slowly changing but smoking is still permitted almost anywhere in Portugal. All public transport is non-smoking, but you are free to smoke in stadiums during football matches.
Emergencies:
The nationwide free emergency telephone number is 112. This number is for the police, the fire service and any other emergencies (including car accidents).
Business Hours:
Most shops will open from 9.00 to 12.30 before closing for lunch, opening again at 14.00 and closing around 19.00. Banks open at 8.30 and close at 15.00, Monday to Friday. Government offices as well as post offices open from 9.00 to 12.30, and from 14.00 to 18.00. Museums are closed on Mondays and generally open from 10.00 to 12.30, and from 14.00 to 17.00 on other days.
Article provided by kind permission of The Leader Newspaper
More articles: 12 - 13 - 14 -15 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 19
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