PRACTICAL INFORMATION From A to Z

Animals
For pets apply the usual international rules: certificate of vaccination and certificate of good health for cats and dogs.

Application for Residence Cards
According to the law you should apply for a residence card after 90 days at the Serviços de Estrangeiros - SEF of your residence area. Long queues are typical. You will have to fill in some forms and proof that you have an income and a health insurance.

Begging
Is a facto of life in and around Lisbon and other populated areas. Keep windows shut while waiting at traffic lights if you feel uncomfortable.

Birth of a Baby
Registration of a baby born in Portugal needs to be done within 30 days. You will receive a confirmation of birth document from the hospital with the mother's name. No name for the baby is necessary. If you want to give your baby a non-Portuguese name you need to obtain a letter from your embassy stating that the names you wish to give your baby are acceptable names in your country, and stating the nationality of both parents.
With these two documents, your marriage certificate and identification you can register your baby at the Conservatória do Registo Civil. You will receive a Boletim de Nascimento, and you should also ask for an international birth certificate, which you will need to register at your embassy to receive citizenship of the parents' home country.

Bureaucracy
Can be very tough and consume a lot of time, though governmental policies and procedures are rapidly changing.

Cars & Driving
Cars are very expensive in Portugal due to the taxes levied on them. Importing a car can be a cumbersome experience, and is best dealt with by experts (see section Cost of Living).
The ratio of road accidents to car owners is one of the highest in Europe. Fines are, however, very high. The legal limit for blood/alcohol reading is 0.5g/L. Keep all documents relating to the car and its insurance in the car at all times, together with your identification. You must also carry a warning triangle in your car.
Annual road tax is due in June. The stamp has to be displayed in the right hand corner of your windscreen. Inspections are needed for cars older than 4 years, and have to be repeated every other year, and cars with over 8 years yearly. Car accidents: you should always call the police if you cannot agree on who is to blame. If both parties agree it should be written down and be signed by both of them. To obtain a Via Verde - little box with magnetic stripe allowing you to pass through the Via Verde lanes without a stop for paying the tolls - you must have a bank account and a Multibanco card to activate the service.

Cell phones
Everybody has one. But it is against the law to use your cell phone or "telemóvel" while driving.

Crime
As a general rule, the type of crime that should be of the most concern is theft. Always lock your car and house every time you leave. Never leave your purse unattended. Keep it close to your body. Violent crime is not a major issue in most parts of the Country.

Driver's Licence
Non-UE citizens must exchange their driving licence after 90 days in Portugal.

Embassies and Consulates
As one of the first steps you should register with your embassy or consulate.

Health Care and medical services
You should have a private health insurance, as State hospitals are overwhelmed and if you do not speak Portuguese fluently you may find yourself easily misunderstood. So find a Doctor as soon as you arrive in Portugal and discuss with him what to do in an emergency. Most Doctors use one of the private hospitals as the place to send you in case of an emergency. Certain situations like major car accidents have to go to state emergency, but you should always try to contact your personal physician and tell him where you are.

Infrastructures
Portugal is an up-and-coming country with ever-improving infrastructures. More and more goods of all types are becoming available. So even if you miss something, chances are it will appear soon.

Internet Sites of Interest
See Links

Restaurants
For the Portuguese, eating is a way of life and good food is of utmost importance to them. Everywhere you can find excellent restaurants. Reservations are recommended in some popular restaurants, particularly if you wish to dine at the weekend. Restaurants open around 12.30 for Lunch and may go to 15.00, and for Dinner at 19.30 and may go until 24.00.

Shopping
The Portuguese like to buy in specialty shops and markets where fresh fruit and vegetables are less expensive and better quality than in their supermarket equivalents. There is a wide range of supermarkets, "Hipermercados", Malls and Centres. The first Spanish department store in Portugal - El Corte Inglés - only opened recently. Open-air markets are very popular, and they can be found in nearly every town.

Telephone
The phone greeting her in Portugal is "estou" or "está". Translated that means "I am" or "you are". Receivers and callers use both interchangeably, so don't panic! Just identify yourself by saying "Fala…. followed by your name", and ask for the person you wish to talk to "Quero falar com……"

Telephone Services
SOS General Emergencies 112
Ambulance 115
National Info Service 118
International Info Service 179
Pharmacies on duty 118
Telecom 123
Consult the first pages of your telephone book or yellow pages for local urgency telephone numbers.

Water
The water from your tap, in most cases, is drinkable. As the water is treated with more chlorine than in other countries because of the heat, it is advisable to use mineral water for drinking.