Planning a Trip to Portugal? Here's What You Need to Know

Portugal is a popular destination for UK travellers, whether you're planning a long weekend or a two-week summer holiday. From lively cities and traditional villages to championship golf courses and family-friendly resorts. It's a country that's easy to explore at your own pace.

A vintage yellow tram passing the Estrela Basilica in Lisbon, Portugal

Most visitors arrive through Lisbon, Porto or Faro, with excellent public transport and road networks making it easy to get around. If you're planning to visit Madeira or the Azores, regular domestic flights connect the islands with mainland Portugal. Portuguese is the official language, but English is widely spoken in most tourist areas. The local currency is the Euro.

Cliffs and a sandy beach on the Algarve coastline in Portugal

Before you travel, it's worth making sure you have the right cover in place. Flight delays, lost baggage and medical emergencies can quickly disrupt your holiday. Our Portugal Travel Insurance includes cover for emergency medical expenses, cancellation, lost baggage, gadgets and over 50 sports and activities. You'll also have access to our FREE Air Doctor service. Through the Air Doctor app or website, you can book an appointment with an English-speaking doctor. Plus, our 24/7 Emergency Medical Helpline is available day and night if you need urgent support while you're away.

Choose the Right Cover for Your Portugal Holiday

Choose from Standard, Premium or Ultimate cover, then add the optional extras that suit your trip.

Standard Cover

XS

£75 Excess

£10,000,000 Emergency medical expenses cover

£2,000 Cancellation cover

Up to £3,000 Gadget cover with £500 included at no extra cost

£2,000 Personal possessions

Up to £1,250 Missed departure

Cover for Over 50 Sports & Activities

Premium Cover

XS

£75 Excess

£15,000,000 Emergency medical expenses cover

£3,500 Cancellation cover

Up to £3,000 Gadget cover with £750 included at no extra cost

£2,000 Personal possessions

Up to £1,250 Missed departure

Cover for Over 50 Sports & Activities

Ultimate Cover

XS

£75 Excess

£20,000,000 Emergency medical expenses cover

£5,000 Cancellation cover

Up to £3,000 Gadget cover with £1,000 included at no extra cost

£3,000 Personal possessions

Up to £1,250 Missed departure

Cover for Over 50 Sports & Activities

Tailor Your Cover for Portugal

Whether you're heading to the Algarve for a golf break, cruising along Portugal's coastline or travelling with valuable gadgets, our range of optional extras lets you build a policy that's right for your holiday.

Phone, tablet, smartwatch and tech accessories laid out flat

Enhanced Gadget Cover

From using your phone for maps to capturing holiday memories, your gadgets are likely to be with you throughout your trip. That's why gadget cover comes as standard on all Switched On Travel Insurance policies. You'll have protection for phones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches and more.

Our Standard policy includes up to £500 of gadget cover, while Premium includes £750 and Ultimate includes £1,000. If you're travelling with higher value devices, you can increase your gadget cover to £3,000 with Enhanced Gadget Cover.

Cruise ship sailing on open water

Cruise Cover

Portugal's Atlantic coastline makes it a popular stop on many European cruise itineraries. If your holiday includes a cruise, add Cruise Cover for extra protection while you're at sea.

You'll have up to £3,500 increased baggage cover, as well as protection for missed ports, cabin confinement and missed excursions, so you can enjoy your holiday with added peace of mind.

Please note that medical expenses incurred while on a cruise are only covered if you have added Cruise Cover to your policy.

Traveller making a contactless card payment

Excess Waiver Cover

If you'd rather not pay the policy excess when making a valid claim, add Excess Waiver Cover before you travel. It's a simple way to avoid unexpected costs if something goes wrong during your holiday.

Golf flag on a putting green

Golf Cover

The Algarve is home to some of Europe's best known golf courses, attracting golfers from around the world. If you're planning a golfing break in Portugal, add Golf Cover before you travel.

You'll have protection for your own and hired golf equipment, green fees if illness or injury prevents you from playing, and hole-in-one celebrations.

Two people kayaking on clear blue sea

Sports & Activities Cover

From surfing the Atlantic waves to hiking in Madeira or kayaking along the Algarve coast, Portugal is ideal for active holidays. The good news is that our travel insurance already includes cover for over 50 sports and activities as standard (in line with policy terms and conditions).

If you're planning a more adventurous activity, you may need to add Sports & Activities Cover. Check our Sports & Activities page before you travel to see if your chosen activity is covered or requires additional protection.

Get Covered for Portugal in 3 Simple Steps

1

Get a quote

Tell us where you're travelling, who's coming with you and whether you have any medical conditions to declare. You can get a quote online in just a few minutes.

2

Choose the cover that's right for you

Pick from Standard, Premium or Ultimate cover, then personalise your policy with optional extras such as Cruise Cover, Enhanced Gadget Cover or Excess Waiver.

3

Buy online and you're ready to go

Once you've bought your policy, you'll receive your documents by email. Then all that's left is to look forward to your holiday in Portugal.

Portugal Travel Essentials

A few simple checks before you travel can help your holiday go smoothly. From packing the right documents to understanding healthcare and border requirements, it's worth taking a little time to prepare before you leave the UK.

Declare any pre-existing medical conditions

If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, make sure you tell us about them when you get your quote. This allows us to offer the right cover for your holiday.

If you need to make a claim and a medical condition wasn't declared, your claim could be declined in part or in full. Before buying your policy, take a few moments to check your answers and make sure all your medical details are correct.

Before travelling to Portugal, make sure you pack your Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). It allows UK travellers to access medically necessary state healthcare on the same basis as Portuguese residents.

Your GHIC is useful, but it isn't a replacement for travel insurance. It doesn't cover emergency medical repatriation, cancellation, lost baggage or other travel related costs. Having both your GHIC and travel insurance gives you greater peace of mind while you're away.

If you become seriously ill or injured during your holiday, our 24/7 Emergency Medical Helpline is available day and night to help you get the care you need. Our experienced team can guide you through the next steps and help arrange appropriate medical treatment where necessary.

For minor illnesses and injuries, you'll also have access to our FREE Air Doctor service. Through the Air Doctor app or website, you can quickly book an appointment with an English-speaking doctor, either in person or by video consultation. We'll cover the resulting fee, so there's nothing for you to pay and claim back on your return*.

Before leaving for Portugal, make sure your passport meets the latest entry requirements. It should be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave Portugal and must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter the country.

It's worth checking your passport well before your departure date. If it needs renewing, allow enough time for your new passport to arrive. If your passport is lost or stolen while you're away, report it to the local police and apply for an Emergency Travel Document to help you return home.

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) applies to UK travellers visiting Portugal and other countries in the Schengen Area. On your first visit, you'll usually need to have your photo taken and fingerprints scanned instead of having your passport stamped.

These extra checks may increase waiting times at border control, particularly during school holidays and the busy summer season. If you're flying into airports such as Lisbon, Faro or Porto, allow extra time for arrival and follow any instructions from border staff.

If you need urgent help while you're in Portugal, dial 112 for emergency services. The operator can connect you to the police, ambulance or fire service, and English-speaking assistance is often available.

For non-emergency medical issues, remember you can also use our FREE Air Doctor service to arrange an appointment with a local doctor without the stress of finding one yourself.

Ready to protect your trip to Portugal?

Get a quote in just a few minutes and choose the cover that’s right for your holiday.

*Air Doctor is subject to limits, exclusions and conditions. Please see our Air Doctor page for full terms and conditions.