Portugal Travel Insurance
With history, culture, picturesque villages, golden beaches and medieval forts, Portugal can be a great experience for everyone.*
Vila Nova de Foz Cé´a, a small town which would otherwise not attract any attention, is home to 20,000-year old carvings and artwork just outside of the valley, and the Convento de Cristo is said to have been the headquarters of the Knights Templar. Steeped in history, the country also offers visitors fantastic Mediterranean cuisine, vibrant culture and some of the best sun in Europe.
When travelling to Portugal, it's important to have a travel insurance policy which covers your personal possessions, cancellation, emergency medical expenses and legal expenses. At Alpha Travel Insurance, we offer multiple policies for people looking to go on holiday to the country.
Whether you're looking for a single trip, multi trip or longstay policy, at Alpha we have a unique way of fitting our travel insurance policies to your budget. By tailoring your excess to what you would be willing to pay in the event of a claim, you can have peace of mind that you and your possessions are covered.
All of our travel insurance policies include these benefits:
- Cover available for all ages of traveller - no upper age limit on our Single Trip policy;
- Cover for 100's of sports and activities free of charge (with the option to extend and include many more);
- Discounts for couples and returning customers;
- 24/7 Emergency Medical Helpline
- 14 day cooling off period;
- Cover includes cancellation, emergency medical expenses, personal belongings, cash and travel documents and much more;
- Optional Gadget Extension
- Access To Our Free Customer Area!
To get a free quote, simply click 'Get a Quote' and then select the policy and excess which best suits you and your travel insurance needs. Alternatively, you can contact our experienced Customer Service Team and they will be more than willing to talk through your cover and options with you.
*Please note, Alpha Travel Insurance does not provide cover for any trip which goes against the advice of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Please check the FCDO advice on your chosen destination before booking your trip or purchasing our insurance.
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
We all hope that our holidays will go smoothly, but it’s always best to be prepared in case they don’t. Below are some handy numbers and Portuguese phrases which will help you in emergency situations. Keep this information close to you at all times.
Police emergency information
The European Emergency Number is 112 and can be used to contact the police, medical services and fire department in a crisis. Calls to this number are always free, and the operators usually speak English as well as Portuguese.
Useful translations:
Call the police – Chame a polícia
I have been mugged – I foram assaltadas
Fire emergency information
If you discover a fire in your apartment or elsewhere, call 112. For forest fires, phone 117 instead.
Useful translations:
My house is burning down – Minha casa está queimando
Call the fire brigade – Chame os bombeiros
Medical emergency information
In emergencies, phone 112 to request an ambulance. There is also a health line which is open 24 hours, seven days a week, which can be contacted in both emergencies and non-urgent situations. The number is: 808 242 424.
Useful translations:
I have had an accident – Eu tive um acidente
I need an ambulance – Preciso uma ambulância
Where is the nearest hospital? – Onde está o hospital mais próximo?
Medical advice
You should not need any vaccinations before travelling to Portugal, but it’s always best to ask your GP for advice. It is also a good idea to make sure your tetanus jabs are up to date.
Before leaving the UK, make sure to check the new rules travelling within Europe. From 1st January 2021 rules around travel to Europe have changed, visit the Government website for up to date information on passports, EHIC, healthcare and more. We’ll update this page with more information as and when the Government release it.
Remember that you will need travel insurance if you want to claim back the costs of any medical care you receive whilst in Portugal.
Make sure that any treatment you receive is provided in a state hospital rather than a private one. You may be unable to claim back the costs when you arrive back in the UK, depending on the type of cover your travel insurance provides.
Tap water in Portugal is safe to drink in major towns and cities, but be wary if you’re travelling to smaller villages. If you are not sure of the water quality, use bottled water instead or if it’s not available, treat the water with iodine or boil it for five minutes before you drink it.
The best time to visit Portugal
If you’re after long, sunny days, then you can’t get much better than Portugal. It has some of the longest hours of sunshine in Europe, and temperatures can soar during the summer months, especially inland.
July and August are by far the busiest times to head to Portugal. Cities may be quieter, but the coasts are packed with tourists. If you’re thinking of staying in the Algarve, you may want to do so in September or October instead. This is arguably the best time to visit the southern part of the country, as temperatures are still warm but not overly so. You’ll also find the beaches are a lot less crowded and that holiday prices are cheaper.
If you want to avoid the rain, don’t travel to Portugal between November and March, as this period is the wet season. However, temperatures are still fairly mild and if you don’t mind a little precipitation, Christmas shopping in the capital, Lisbon, is great fun. If you really are averse to the wet, July and August have the lowest chances of rain.
We also recommend visiting Portugal during the spring, as this is when the carnival celebrations take place. The street parties and parades are not to be missed!
Visa information for Portugal
As an EU resident you can stay in Portugal for an unlimited period without a visa. Do be aware you will need to register with the local authorities after you’ve been in the country for three months.
