Going to à LISBONNE: Formalities and administrative steps
Organize your stay à LISBONNE
Money à LISBONNE
We are in the European Union, so we are in the euro zone. The only thing that will differ will be the drawings on the coins!
Budget & Tips à LISBONNE
The cost of living in Portugal remains a little lower than in France's major cities. However, Lisbon, like any capital city, is a special case and therefore more expensive than the rest of the country. Especially since the Covid-19 crisis. Prices have risen sharply in recent years. You also need to take into account the tourist season, which will increase the price of your accommodation. Indeed, prices rise by up to 15% in summer (especially for accommodation). This is especially true in seaside towns. Prices: 1L of petrol costs an average of €2, 1 coffee between €0.8 and €2.5, 1 beer between €1.5 and €3.
Small budget: from €60 (staying at a campsite, youth hostel or new-generation hostel) to €90-100 (staying in a modest guesthouse).
Medium budget: around €160 (staying in a very decent residencial or bed & breakfast).
Large budget: from €300 (staying in a luxury or boutique hotel).
For students, an international student card (ISIC card) entitles you to numerous discounts (transport, accommodation, leisure, culture) worldwide, including in Portugal.
Passport and visas à LISBONNE
For European Union nationals, an identity card is sufficient. For unaccompanied minors, an authorisation to leave the territory is required (forms at town halls or police stations). Canadians are not required to obtain a visa if their stay is less than three months. For Swiss nationals, a valid identity card or passport is required.
Driver's license à LISBONNE
You can rent a car with your French driver's license and ID.
Health à LISBONNE
Portugal now has a "Clean & Safe" label guaranteeing compliance with health requirements. There are therefore no particular risks to report when visiting Lisbon. Before you leave, take along your Carte Vitale and, as a precaution, don't forget to check that your vaccinations are up to date. You can also apply for a European Health Card from your Social Security. With this card, your medical expenses will be covered. Otherwise, if you incur medical expenses in France, don't forget to keep the original invoices, which will be used for reimbursement on your return.
The French consulate has a list of French-speaking doctors in Portugal. In the event of a serious problem or accident, it is also the consulate that is notified and then informs the family. The family then decides whether or not to repatriate the child.
Security à LISBONNE
The only big, real danger you can face in Lisbon, where a few pickpockets are in action, is theft. Especially on the streetcars. Be particularly careful not to leave anything in your car, as thieves work in groups and are quite well organized. However, there's no question of becoming paranoid: you just need to rediscover the vigilance reflexes you lose on vacation! If you're travelling by car, you need to be extra careful on the roads, and try to anticipate as much as possible some of the inconsistent behaviour of local motorists. For women traveling alone, you won't encounter any real difficulties. Be warned, however, that certain neighborhoods, such as Intendente, are not the most welcoming late at night.
Time difference à LISBONNE
1 hour gap with France: when it is noon in Paris, it is 11am in Lisbon all year round. In Portugal, the changeover to summer time takes place on the last Sunday in March, and the changeover to winter time on the last Sunday in October.
Spoken languages à LISBONNE
The language spoken in Portugal is Portuguese. It is expressed differently depending on the region or Portuguese-speaking country of origin of the person you are speaking to. When it comes to foreign languages, the Portuguese are quite gifted, and many of them speak more than respectable French. Whatever happens, it's always a good idea to say hello (" bom dia " or " olá! ") and follow it up with a few words of Portuguese to establish a dialogue. Since Portuguese words have Latin roots, the difficulty for us French speakers lies mainly in pronunciation, which has an unfortunate tendency to suppress vowels. Indeed, it's sometimes easier to understand what's being said when reading than when speaking; Brazilian, which is more lilting and slower, is often easier to understand.
Communication à LISBONNE
No worries for telemóvel (cell phone) addicts: it's on! Whatever your network, it's adapted to Portugal. The network covers Lisbon and the surrounding area very well, but is sometimes unreliable in small, remote towns. You'll easily find free wifi in some squares, parks and gardens, as well as in hotels and restaurants.
Electricity and measurements à LISBONNE
Portugal is connected to 220 volts AC, 50 Hz like the rest of continental Europe. Sockets are the same as in France. The Portuguese have adopted the international metric system. So, like the French, they speak in meters and kilograms.
Luggage à LISBONNE
In Lisbon, good walking shoes aren't just for hikers, as the steep streets require a real effort from the feet, and the beautiful Portuguese cobblestones that cover the sidewalks wear out, wear out the shoes! The ideal footwear: sturdy, comfortable, waterproof for the rain and light enough for the heat. Don't forget that even in summer, it can be chilly because of the wind, which tends to pick up in the evening, so pack a little wool. On the whole, the onion-skin strategy is applicable, i.e. something light to bask in (even between showers, it can get very hot in the sun), followed by a sweater and an umbrella. In winter? Don't forget your raincoat, because the enemy is humidity rather than cold! And since heating isn't always a priority, it's not uncommon to feel colder in a hotel or restaurant than outside.
Daily life à LISBONNE
Hello? à LISBONNE
To call Portugal from France : 00 + 351.
To call France from Portugal : 00 + 33 followed by the number of your correspondent without the 0.
The 9-digit numbers in Lisbon start with the prefix 21, the numbers starting with 9 are cell phone numbers(telemóvel), those starting with 800 are free of charge green numbers(linha verde) while the 808 are blue numbers(linha azul) charged at the price of a normal call.
You may need to activate an option beforehand (usually free) by calling your operator's customer service. Since 2017 roaming is not overcharged in Europe. This means that in theory you won't have any out-of-pocket charges when calling or sending messages when you are in Portugal. You can even use your Internet package! Each operator does a little bit as it wants so it is better to inquire before leaving.
In Portugal, communication rates are higher if you call from a landline to a cell phone or vice versa.
Accessibility à LISBONNE
Travelling with small children. Lisbon and the surrounding area are ideal for travelling with children. Hotels generally have cots for babies, and some even offer babysitting services. The same goes for car seats in rental cars (please ask when booking). You'll sometimes come across special facilities for changing infants. In restaurants, children are generally well catered for, but don't hesitate to call to check that establishments have adapted menus or baby chairs. Children benefit from reduced rates or free admission to museums and tourist sites in Lisbon. Numerous events are dedicated to them, and a number of must-see sites such as the Oceanarium and the Pavilion of Knowledge (in the Parc des Nations), the Puppet Museum, São Jorge Castle, the Santa Justa elevator and the Carriage Museum will delight them. On the other hand, you should be aware that the layout of the city means that it may not be easy to do a lot of walking, or to get around with a stroller.
Reduced mobility. With its many slopes and cobbled streets, Lisbon is not, strictly speaking, the most accessible European capital for the disabled. The Portuguese word "deficiente" for "handicapped" reflects local attitudes. Recent legislation has, however, changed the rules for new buildings. At airports, railway stations, museums, hotels and shopping centers, disabled access is now relatively easy, with dedicated parking spaces and special facilities. As far as older buildings are concerned, some of them are gradually meeting Brussels standards in this area, as required by the European Union. As far as transport is concerned, Lisbon's metro stations have elevators to access the platforms, while Carris, the transport company with its serviço para deficientes, charters minibuses to holders of special cards (to be drawn up) upon reservation (48 hours in advance). Further information: Carris. Santo Amaro, Rua 1° de Maio, 101, Alcântara ✆ +351 213 613 000.
Health à LISBONNE
There are many pharmacies in Lisbon, easily identifiable by their green crosses. To find out which pharmacies are on call, visit www.farmaciasdeservico.net. Beware: they will tend to give you medicines with fairly high doses of active ingredients (e.g. Doliprane 1,000 by default). If you're more into alternative medicine, you can visit Farmácia Homeopática Santa Justa, which sells homeopathic and herbal remedies.
If you need to see a doctor for yourself or your child during your stay in Lisbon or anywhere else in the country:
ALEGRIA MEDICAL CENTRE, Praça da Alegria 66, 3rd floor (Andar 3) Lisbon ✆ +351 211 452 289 - www.alegriamed.com - [email protected] - Open Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm and Saturday 10am to 3pm. General medicine and specialist consultations. This French medical center offers general medical consultations for adults and children, as well as specialists. Teleconsultations are also available wherever you are in Portugal. Located in the center of Lisbon, a French-speaking medical and administrative team warmly welcomes you. Preferably book online, by phone, e-mail or drop in (ambulatory service available).
Emergency numbers à LISBONNE
In an emergency, you can call the fire department on 112. It's a free number, available 24 hours a day, and works from any telephone (including cell phones without SIM cards). If necessary, you will be taken to hospital (usually the São José hospital at Martim Moniz - www.chlc.min-saude.pt). If you need to go to the emergency room, you'll be better off at the Santa Maria Hospital. Contact the French consulate. They will be happy to help and accompany you, and will provide you with a list of French-speaking doctors. In the event of a serious problem, the consulate will also inform the family and decide on repatriation. To find out about emergency services and establishments that meet international standards, visit www.diplomatie.gouv.fr and www.pasteur.fr
Securty à LISBONNE
Portugal regularly features among the world's most peaceful countries according to the Global Peace Index, ranking 7ᵉ in 2023-2024. For emergencies, however, contact 112. There is a police station for foreign tourists located in the Palácio Foz on Restauradores Square. It's open 24/7. Several languages are spoken. For lost and found, go to Cidade Salazar Lote 180 (metro station Olivais - http://perdidoseachados.mai.gov.pt).
LGBTQ à LISBONNE
Lisbon is widely recognized as one of Europe's most LGBTQIA+-friendly capitals, with a very active and visible local scene. Thanks to the commitment of associations such as ILGA Portugal(www.ilga-portugal.pt), founded in 1995 and playing a central role in legal advances, the situation of LGBTQIA+ people in Portugal has improved significantly in recent years. Neighborhoods such as Príncipe Real and Bairro Alto have become emblematic and inclusive places to live and party. There are dozens of gay-friendly hotels and accommodation in Lisbon, at least 60 establishments that display this support and are often recommended by LGBTQ+ travelers.
Embassies and consulates à LISBONNE
The French embassy and consulate are located at 5 rua de Santos-o-Velho (https://pt.ambafrance.org/). Appointments can now be made online. In case of consular emergency only ✆ +351 966 160 701.
Mail à LISBONNE
In Portugal, postal services are called Correios under the CTT sign (www.ctt.pt), represented by a letter carrier on horseback with a bugle. Generally speaking (except in small towns), post offices are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6.30pm. In Lisbon, some post offices are open late into the evening or on Saturday mornings. In any case, you'll need to be patient when you enter these offices. Waiting times are often long, due to the notorious lack of staff to deal with all the bill payment requests (telephone, electricity) of the elderly, and the slowness of the Portuguese administration. On the other hand, it doesn't take long for mail to reach France (3 to 5 days on average). Stamps(selos) to frank a letter (weighing less than 20 g) or postcard to a European Union country cost €1.05. Some souvenir stores and hotels also sell stamps. There's a large post office in the Plaza Restauradores, open until 10pm on weekdays.
Local media à LISBONNE
The best-known newspapers are Público(www.publico.pt), which has a well-read online opinion blog (P3). Díario de Notícias(www.dn.pt) is Lisbon's first daily newspaper. More than a century old, it was founded in 1864! In the weekly press, Sábado (www.sabado.pt) has made its mark on the news magazine market alongside its competitor Visão(http://visao.sapo.pt/). Free newspapers are often distributed at subway entrances (rather like in France). Some are of tourist interest, such asAgenda Cultural Lx(www.agendalx.pt), Follow me Lisboa or Lisboa ConVida(http://convida.pt/convida.html). In some cafés, you'll find a French magazine dedicated to Lisbon: Le Lisboète(http://lisboetemagazine.com/).
In addition to the above-mentioned media sites, the Guia da cidade (www.guiadacidade.pt) provides information on current events and tourist attractions. Life Cooler(www.lifecooler.com) is a trendy lifestyle magazine. Time out magazine(www.timeout.com/lisbon) is a good option if you don't know where to eat or go out, as its site lists all the latest openings in the city. A similar site is New in town (www.nit.pt). And let's not forget the official tourism sites for Lisbon(www.visitlisboa.com) and Portugal(www.visitportugal.com). The advantage of these sites is that they contain up-to-date information and are also in French.
