VISAS, ENTRY RULES, CUSTOMS REGULATIONS in Portugal
Portugal is part of the Schengen area and upon receipt of a Portuguese visa, you can freely visit all 15 countries that have signed the agreement. To apply for a visa at the Embassy of Portugal, you must submit the following documents:
– a passport with a validity period of at least 3.5 months after the end date of the trip to Portugal;
– a copy of the ticket or its reservation;
– hotel voucher with payment confirmation;
– 2 color photographs 3 by 4 in size, taken no more than 6 months before the trip; children under 14 years of age must have a photo in their parents’ passport; upon reaching 14 years of age, children must have their own passport;
– 2 copies of the completed questionnaire in English;
– a photocopy of all pages of the general civil Russian passport;
– a photocopy of the previous passport (pages with visas);
– the original certificate from the place of work on the letterhead of the organization (where the address and phone number are indicated) with the obligatory indication of: position, salary and the period of paid leave, which must coincide with the period of the proposed trip to Portugal. In the case of a small tourist salary, as well as for students, schoolchildren, housewives, pensioners, a certificate from work is required indicating the income of the person they are dependent on, or from the person who pays for the trip, indicating the degree of relationship and documents certifying this relationship;
– for schoolchildren – a certificate from the school, for students – a certificate from the institute and a copy of a student card, for pensioners – a pension certificate;
– for pensioners, when submitting documents to the Consulate, an original certificate of purchase of currency is required (at the rate of 50 euros / day). A certificate of purchase of currency can be replaced by an account statement on a credit card. A certificate or extract must be issued no earlier than 1 month before the start of the trip;
– for children traveling with their parents – a notarized copy of the birth certificate with an apostille, a certificate from the place of study (if the child attends school);
– for children traveling without parents or with one of the parents – a notarized copy of the birth certificate with an apostille, a certificate from the place of study (if the child attends school), a notarized copy of the permission to export the child with an apostille.
The term for issuing a visa is a week. Consular fee for visa processing – 50 euros, regardless of age.
The import of foreign and national currency in cash and traveler’s checks is not limited. However, if the amount of imported foreign currency exceeds EUR 4987.98, it must be declared. The export of the national currency from the country is limited – the amount should not exceed 498.80 euros. There are no restrictions on the export of foreign currency, however, if the amount exceeds 4987.98 euros, a certificate from the exchange office may be required.
Duty-free importation of personal belongings and food is allowed in Portugal, in the amount necessary for personal consumption; cigarettes – 200 pcs., strong drinks – 1 l, strong wine – 2 l, dry – 2 l. It is forbidden to import drugs, gold in the form of ingots, coins, plates without the permission of the country’s bank, illegally published printed materials. Upon import, weapons, antiquities and art, items made of precious metals are subject to mandatory customs inspection.
Embassy in Portugal
Portugal, embassy in Moscow
Moscow, Botanichesky pereulok, 1 Tel.
280-62-93
Portugal, Russian Embassy in the country:
Rua Visconde de Santarem, 59, 1000, Lisboa
Phone (8-10-3511) 846-2424, 846-2423, 846-2524
Fax (8-10-3511) 846-3008
Communication in Portugal
You can call from the hotel, but it’s quite expensive. Some cafes and bars have public telephones from which you can make both local and international calls, but it is most advantageous to call from payphones, which are located almost everywhere. A call from a payphone will cost 3-4 times cheaper. After 20:00 tariffs for international calls are reduced, after 22:00 – for local ones. Payphones work with “CREDITOFONE” cards, which are sold in post offices. The cost of 1 minute of conversation with Moscow on a pay phone is about 2 EUR (in the evening or on weekends).
To call from Russia to Portugal, dial 8 – 10 – 351 – area code – phone number.
To call from Portugal to Russia, dial 07 – area code – phone number.
Emergency Phones in Portugal
Ambulance, police, fire brigade – 112
Rescue service – 115
Information service – 118
Emergency roadside assistance – 308 (or special orange booths along the road)
HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS
January 1st – Feast of the Virgin Mary
April 25th – Liberty Day
May 1st – Labor Day
June 10th – Portugal Day
August 15th – Assumption of the Virgin
October 5th – Proclamation of the Republic
November 1st – All Saints Day
December 1st – Restoration of Independence Day
December 8th – Day Immaculate Conception
December 25 – Christmas.
The Portuguese are very fond of holidays. Days of remembrance of saints, pilgrimage, fairs, etc. can serve as reasons for celebration. In the north of the country, any, even the smallest village has its own festive traditions with music, dances, fireworks and specific rituals.
USEFUL THINGS
In Portugal, it is not customary to yawn and stretch in public places; in a conversation, you should not discuss problems related to the family, and especially children. Do not question the historical greatness of the country – the Portuguese are justifiably proud of their past, especially against the backdrop of the modest place that the country occupies today. In addition, do not compare the Portuguese with the Spaniards – despite the unconditional similarity of languages, customs, national cultures and characters, the Portuguese perceive such comparisons very painfully.
SHOPS
According to medicinelearners, shops in Portugal are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00, on Saturday most of them close at 13:00. There are no lunch breaks in supermarkets. Shopping centers in large cities are also open on weekends and holidays from 10:00 to 22:00 – 23:00.
TAX FREE system operates in Portuguese stores. If you take a receipt for the goods, then the value added tax will be refunded at the airport. This service is valid if your stay in the country does not exceed 3 months.
Tipping
Tipping in Portugal has not received official status. If you are satisfied with the service, you can leave 10% of the bill in a restaurant, cafe, taxi.
NATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS The
Portuguese are calm and sociable, they consider hospitality their main commandment.
ELECTRICITY
220V, 50Hz;
HEALTH CARE
Medical care in Portugal is paid. Medical insurance is not mandatory, but it is recommended to take out an insurance policy before the trip. In the event of an insured event, you must contact the office of the insurance company, the phone number of which is indicated in the insurance policy, or with the guide. If there is no insurance, you will have to pay for medical services in cash on the spot. Serious health problems, in this case, can cost from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
On weekdays, pharmacies are usually open from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00, and on Saturday – in the morning.
