Portugal

Portugal official currency: euro ( € )
Coins : 1,2,5,10,2050 cents and 1 and 2 euros.
Bank Notes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 Euros.
ATM Machines: possible to withdraw cash besides the payment of almost all local services. You will find 11400 ATM´s spread in the country.
Currency Exchange: possible to exchange at banks, schedule : 8.30 am to 3pm, from mondays to fridays. You will find also automatic currency exchange machines (currency sales only).

Credit cards: VISA, MasterCard, Diners Club, Europay, JCB and Maestro and American Express. Most common is Visa and Mastercard, depends of contracts between retail shops and banks.

If for any reason your Visa or MasterCard is lost or stolen, you should contact the following numbers for assistance:

• Visa : 800 811 107
• MasterCard : 800 811 272

Mobile Operators
You will be in a country with the highest number of mobile phone users. Three network service providers (Vodafone, NOS and MEIO), which covers almost 100% of the territory.

Internet
You will find lots of coffee shops, restaurants, airports, hotels, accommodation, post offices, gas stations, shopping centres, among many other stores that provide free wifi access. However, you should be careful if you have critical data. If you acquire a local number and you may buy one at the airport, always confirm if you have data access, besides de prices.

• Portugal uses 203/400 volts at a frequency of 50 hertz.
• Sockets comply with European stardards.
• If you want to charge your mobile phone, tablet or laptop you will need a 230 volt transformer and an adaptor to use American-Style flat-prong plugs.

We should drive on the right in Portugal. Road signs comply with international rules. Compulsory papers ( ID, driving licence, motor insurance certificate, vehicle registration or equivalent, vehicle logbook.

Speed limits in the country: 
Cars without trailers and motorcycles:
50 kph – in built-up areas
90 kph – regular roads
100 kph – Roads restricted to motor vehicles
120 kph – Highways (except when mentioned)

Additional notes:
1) Mandatory to wear seat belts ( all occupants)
2) Forbidden to use mobile phones while driving, except if you use hands-free equipment or an earphone (one only).
3) Portugal has an excellent road network in the entire country. Motorways will be subject to toll fee´s depending of the distance you make and type of vehicle. If you will use a rent-a-car service always ask for insurance terms and conditions, GPS option and toll fee payment system called Via Verde.

Since 2008, smoking is not allowed in enclosed public spaces in the country.

Forbidden locations: work places, public transport, government buildings, healthcare establishments, laboratories, pharmacies, all educational establishments, facilities, museums, shops, indoor sports, concert or theatre halls, libraries, hotels and service stations.

Exceptions: restaurants, discos and bars with more than 100 m2 should mark areas where is allowed, however with good ventilation. Less than 100m2 , they can choose to be or not to be a smoking facility. Information is visible at the entrance door.

Penalties:
Smokers, from 50€ to 750 € ;
Business owners , from 50€ to 1000€ ;
Government facilities, companies, corporations, from 2500 € to 250.000 €, according several conditions established by law.

• Portugal uses the single European emergency number (free): 112
• You can connect dialing on a fixed number or mobile phones.