Overland Portugal Travel
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Contents
- 1 Visiting Portugal
- 2 Entering Portugal with a Car or Motorbike
- 3 Driving in Portugal
- 4 Gas price in Portugal and Diesel price in Portugal
- 5 Safety and Security Considerations
- 6 Camping in Portugal
- 7 Navigation
- 8 Special Overland Travel interests
- 9 Vehicle Maintenance
- 10 Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Portugal
- 11 References
- 12 Helpful External links
Visiting Portugal
Being an European country, and since at the moment i don't know of any way to arrive here with your own vehicle without coming from Spain (and hence, already legally entering Europe) you will not have to do anything to cross into Portugal. The borders are open, and can cross at any time with any vehicle without problems. There are random car checks (nothing to fear if there's nothing to hide) sometimes at the border, or around the country. This is to ensure safety and prevent drug trafficking. The country, albeit small has a great variety of natural beauty, lot's of great food and amazing people so in a short time you can be enjoying the ocean, and then spend some time at the mountains. Lot's of beautiful small cities to visit and enjoy, and great places to relax. I would advise you to check.
In the big cities i'd have the same care as in any other european city, avoid trouble spots and as everywhere with lot's of people and tourists beware of pickpockets, in the rest of the country there's no safety problems of concern, always use your common sense, but an overlander knows how to do that very well :)
Entering Portugal with a Car or Motorbike
Correct as of: (date last confirmed correct)
Required Paperwork
(To check if you need a travel Visa for Portugal, application instructions and fees see: Portugal Visa online application at VisaHQ.com)
List the paperwork required to enter with a vehicle, including number of copies
Process at border
Briefly describe the process at the border to enter with a vehicle
Cost of entry
If you're already coming from another European country you will have no cost of entry. I don't think you have any way of arriving in Portugal, using your vehicle without coming from Spain at the moment.
Permitted length of stay
State the permitted length of entry for the vehicle
Extension of stay
Describe the process to extend the permitted length of entry for the vehicle, if possible.
Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country
Describe if/how a vehicle can be stored, and for how long.
Also mention if the owner / temporary importer can leave the country while the vehicle is in storage.
Exiting with a vehicle
Describe the paperwork requirements and process at the border to exit.
Driving in Portugal
Recommended books for Overlanding in Portugal
Travel insurance for Portugal
World Nomads offer the most flexible Travel Insurance at the best prices for multi-country / multi-year trips. You can buy, extend and claim online, even after you've left home.
Vehicle insurance requirements
Insurance is mandatory, minimum 3rd party coverage.
Cost of vehicle insurance
State the price of insurance and a time period.
Where to purchase vehicle insurance
Describe where insurance can be purchased.
Driving license
State the kind of driving licenses required. i.e. International Driving Permit.
Driving side of road
Right.
Unknown if RHD vehicles can be driven in Portugal.
Mandatory items in vehicle
State any mandatory items that must be carried in the vehicle. (i.e. safety triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, etc.)
Roads
General Road quality
The general road conditions are quite good, we have one of the best Highway systems in Europe, but be aware that those are payed. When you see a road market with an A[some number], or SCUT there's a toll, some of the most recent are electronic tolls, and as a foreigner you will have to buy a small electronic device to be able to legally use those roads. The secondary roads are usually in good condition, albeit with heavier traffic and of course longer travel times. The good thing about those secondary roads is that the scenery is mostly better and you'll be able to see the smaller villages and country side. So if you're traveling with time, i'd go for the free roads.
Road signs
Briefly describe the overall quality & existence of road signs for directions and hazards.
Toll roads
You can find all the information you need about the Toll roads in this link. (PT, ES, EN) ViaVerde
Bribery in Portugal
No bribery is to be expected, if by any chance someone hints at that, just refuse and ask to talk with their superior. That kind of behavior is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. Also, do not try to bribe an officer to try and escape a fine, you'd be better off playing the tourist role and trying to excuse your way out of it with charming good manners :)
Checkpoints
describe the frequency of checkpoints (police or military and what to expect.
Traveling with pets
List the entry requirements and anything else required to travel with a pet.
Gas price in Portugal and Diesel price in Portugal
Last updated: July 2015
Currency and unit to display:
| Gasoline Grade | Price |
|---|---|
| Unleaded | €1.60 EUR per Liter[1] |
| Diesel | €1.30 EUR per Liter[1] |
Gas and Diesel Availability / Frequency
No problems of gas shortage
The distance between gas stations is nothing to worry about, it's a small country and you will be able to find all types of Gas and Diesel in almost any small village. The only concern is that not all gas stations are open 24/7, so to make sure arrive during the day.
Gas and Diesel Quality
The quality if good in any gas station, there is some people that say that the low cost pumps have gas of lesser quality, but as a local, i use the cheapest i can find without any problems.'
State the sulfur content of diesel, if known: I don't know the exact content, but being an European country these values are controlled and will be inside the European limits.
Safety and Security Considerations
Driving at night
Discuss driving at night and if it should it be avoided. Mention why.
Vehicle parking
Discuss if vehicles can be parked on the street, if they are considered "safe" at night. If vehicles can not be parked on the street, list the other options that exist.
Special driving considerations
A List of special things to be careful of (i.e. Unsigned speed bumps, abnormal road rules, people or animals on the road, etc.).
List any roads that are not recommended to drive for safety or other security reasons.
Security advisories and information
- Country Specific Information - U.S. Department of State
- Travel Reports and Warnings - Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- Travel advice by country - Foreign and Commonwealth office (U.K.)
- Travel Advice for Portugal - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Camping in Portugal
Describe if organized "pay" camping is common. List the facilities commonly found at these campsites.
List the approximate average price range of camping in organized campgrounds.
Also discuss the possibility of "wild" or "roadside" camping. How common is it? Is it considered safe, or a bad idea.
Camping guide books
List and link to books specifically for camping.
Drinking water
Describe if the regular tap water is safe to drink. If not, describe where safe water can be purchased and the approximate average price range.
Paper maps
Reise Know-How are amoung the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in Portugal
GPS Maps of Portugal
Review different GPS companies, quality and coverage (Tomtom, Garmin, OSM, Tracks4Africa). (with links to each).
GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in Portugal
- iOverlander is a website and iPhone application designed by Overlanders, for Overlanders. It contains GPS co-ordinates and reviews for camping, hotels, propane, water, mechanics, borders and much more.
Link to sites that have a list of GPS co-ordinates (or directions) for camping locations (including "wild" campsites), propane filling, gas stations, repair shops, places of interest, etc.
Special Overland Travel interests
List any special items / places that are popular with Overlanders
Vehicle Maintenance
Dealers
4x4s / Trucks
- Toyota Global Dealer Locator
- Land Rover International Dealer Locator
- Mercedes Benz International (select country on bottom right)
- Jeep International site locator
Motorbikes
Local Garages
Add known good mechanics here.
Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Portugal
Buy
Describe how a foreigner can buy a vehicle.
List any difficulties or limitations on where the vehicle can be driven.
Sell
Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'
References
Links to the source of any information - blogs or discussion forums, etc.
Helpful External links
Add any helpful external links here.
- Portugal: Visa and Passport requirements | World Travel Guide
- Health Information for Travelers to Portugal - Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Portugal travel guides at wikivoyage
- Portugal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
