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Vehicles drive on the right in Portugal. Unless otherwise indicated, vehicles coming from the right have priority in squares and at intersections. At junctions with roundabouts, vehicles already on the roundabout have right of way.
Road signs comply with international rules.

Compulsory papers:
- Personal ID
- Driving licence
- Motor insurance certificate
- Vehicle registration or equivalent
- Vehicle logbook (livrete)or equivalent

On the spot fines are issued.

Speed limits for cars without trailers and motorcycles:
  50 kph - in built-up areas
  90 kph - on normal roads
100 kph - on roads restricted to motor vehicles
120 kph - on motorways

It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.5 grams per litre or more.

All occupants must wear seat belts.

The Portuguese Highway Code forbids the use of mobile phones while driving, unless you’re using hands-free equipment or an earphone.

Hotel accommodation
The countless hotels and similar establishments all over the country offer accommodation with or without meals and other services. They are classified as follows:
HOTELS - There is a wide choice of hotels and they are classified with 1 to 5 stars depending on their location and the quality of their facilities.
HOTÉIS APARTAMENTOS / APARTHOTELS - These are classified from 2 to 5 stars and are the ideal choice for those looking for a little more independence, though without giving up all the amenities of a hotel.
ESTALAGENS / INNS - There are 4- or 5-star inns and they are cosy places reflecting the characteristics of the area in which they are located.
PENSÕES / BOARDING HOUSES  - This type of accommodation is a more inexpensive option and is rated as 3rd, 2nd and 1st class or, for the highest category, as an Albergaria or guest house.
MOTELS - These have 2 or 3 stars and offer roadside accommodation in independent units with direct access from the outside and private parking.
POUSADAS  - These inns are located in historical buildings or places of great natural beauty. They are divided into four categories: historical, historical/design, nature and charm.
ALDEAMENTOS TURÍSTICOS / TOURIST VILLAGES - These villages have 3, 4 or 5 stars and are located in private grounds with all the necessary services and facilities.
APARTAMENTOS TURÍSTICOS / TOURIST APARTMENTS - These are classified with 2 to 5 stars and are the ideal choice for those who want total independence.

Tourism in the country
Country holidays involve lodging with families and therefore bring visitors into direct contact with the local population and their habits and customs and also with nature itself.
Country holiday units are identified with a metal TER sign and, depending on the type of accommodation offered can be classified as:
TURISMO DE HABITAÇÃO (TH) / TOURISM IN A MANOR HOUSE  - in mansions, stately homes or residences of acknowledged architectural value.
TURISMO RURAL (TR) / RURAL TOURISM  - in country cottages typical of the rural area in which they are located.
AGRO-TURISMO (AG) / AGRICULTURAL TOURISM  - in family homes or annexes on a farm, where guests are welcome to do farm work if they wish.
TURISMO DE ALDEIA (TA) / TOURISM IN A VILLAGE  - in houses in historical villages, traditional towns or rural centres in complexes with a minimum of five units that must emulate the architecture and typical characteristics of the region.
CASAS DE CAMPO (CC) / COUNTRY HOUSES  - in private homes or guest houses that, thanks to their architecture, design and other features, fit perfectly into the rustic atmosphere of the area.
HOTÉIS RURAIS / RURAL HOTELS - These hotels are located in the country and their architecture and interior design are typical of the region.

Camping
There are camping sites offering direct contact with nature all over the country from north to south.
They are considered public, if they are open to all paying campers, or private if access is restricted to members or beneficiaries of the camp-site operator. Private sites are marked with the letter "P" and it is always advisable to confirm whether you will be allowed in.
Depending on the facilities and services they provide, camping sites are classified with 1 to 4 stars, or merely rural, in which case they may be located on a farm.
To spend the night at a camp site, campers will need to show their passport or identity card and sometimes, if required, a camper’s card issued by a national organisation or a carnet camping from the F.I.C.C. (Fédération Internationale de Camping et Caravanning).

Car rentals
There are car rental services at airports, international rail terminuses and in the main towns and cities.
Drivers with mobility difficulties, or anyone who prefers to, can rent automatic or adapted vehicles.
To rent a car you must:
- be at least between 21 and 25 years old, depending on the company’s rental policy
- show identification (identity card for EU citizens or a valid passport for other nationalities)
- have had a driving licence for more than one year

Banks
Banks are open from 8.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. five working days a week.
Portugal has a national network of cash machines (ATMs) identified by the symbol MB (Multibanco), from which you can withdraw cash 24 hours a day.

Post Offices
In general, post offices are open from Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.Central and airport offices have extended opening hours and may be open on Saturdays and in some cases also on Sundays.
Stamps are sold in post offices and vending-machines in the streets.
Many post offices have the Netpost service that on payment allows access to personal e-mail and the Internet.
More detailed information about opening hours and services available at each office can be found on www.ctt.pt

Pharmacies
In general, pharmacies are open on weekdays between 9am and 7pm (some close for lunch from 1 to 3 p.m.) and on Saturdays between 9am and 1pm.
They display an illuminated green cross outside when open at night.
All of them have information posted on the door indicating the nearest pharmacies that are open at night.

Shops
Traditionally, shops are open from Monday to Friday, from 9 or 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Some close for lunch from 1 to 3 p.m. On Saturdays from January to November, shops generally close at 1 p.m. though in city centres some are open in the afternoon.
Shops tend to stay open on Saturday afternoons and sometimes even on Sundays in December for Christmas shopping.
There are plenty of shopping centres inside and outside the cities that are usually open from 10 a.m. to midnight every day of the week. They generally have stores with the main international brands.
However, traditional shops with Portuguese products can be found particularly in the streets of the older neighbourhoods of towns and cities.

Currency
Portugal is one of 16 European Union countries whose common official currency is the euro.
1 euro is divided into 100 cents. The coins come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and 1 and 2 euros.
The notes are differentiated by their size and colour and come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros.
One side of the coins has a common design (the European side), and the other side has a national symbol. All euro coins can be used in any euro-zone country, irrespective of which national symbols they display.

ATMs - Automatic Teller Machines (Multibanco)
Portugal has a national network of cash machines (ATMs) identified by the symbol MB (Multibanco), from which you can withdraw cash 24 hours a day.

Currency Exchange
You can exchange money at banks, which are open from 8.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. five working days a week; at bureaux de change; and at automatic currency exchange machines (these are for currency sale transactions only).

Credit cards
In Portugal, the most commonly used credit cards are: Visa, American Express, Diners Club, Europay / MasterCard, JCB and Maestro.
If your Visa or MasterCard credit card is lost or stolen, contact the following telephone numbers for assistance:
- Visa: Tel. 800 811 107
- MasterCard: Tel. 800 811 272