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Population: Portugal has around 13 million inhabitants, the highest population density is found in the capital Lisbon and its surroundings, where in total circa. 1.9 million people live.

Porto is Portugal's second largest city, located in the North of the country. In general, the places on the coast have a higher population density than those in the Interior.

Geographical location: Portugal lies in the extreme S-W from Europe and also consists of the two island groups of Madeira and the Azores in the Atlantic Ocean.

Language: Portuguese comes from Latin and is the third European spoken language in the world, it is spoken by 200 million people, such as in Africa (Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and São Tomé and Príncipe), in South America (in Brazil), and in Asia (in East Timor, the youngest country in the world). Many Portuguese citizens can easily communicate in English, French or Spanish.

 

​Passport and Visa: Citizens of the European Union only have to possess a personal photo ID to enter Portugal. Minors must have also, in addition, an identity document a "'statement of Travel" authority from their parents.

Time: it's 1 hour earlier in Portugal than in Spain, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

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​Pharmacy: open 09.00-13.00/15.00-19.00. There is always a 24-hour pharmacy.

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​Car rental: cars in various price ranges are in many places, it pays often to compare prices.

Drivers must be at least 21 years old and have held a driver's license for more than 1 year.

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​Bank: open Monday to Friday 08.30-15.00.

There are many ATMs available, the easiest and cheapest way to get money.

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​Electricity: as in Netherlands and Belgium: 220V

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​Trains: are reliable and cheap. The more luxurious Intercity express is about 15% more expensive.

A first class ticket is not much more expensive (about 20%) and is on longer distances is recommended.

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Consulate: www. portugal.nlambassade.org . If you want to stay longer in Portugal on holiday or visit the website and make youself familiar with the important information, print it out and take it with you.

A problem can arise in emergency cases because of a language problem.

Be alert to people who help to offer against payment enquiries to their registration and legitimacy.

A direct phone number of the Contact center is 24/7 BZ + 31 247 247 247

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​Traffic: Portugal has a high average of traffic accidents. Mopeds and bikes often have no lighting.

Portugal has not yet many highways, but the larger cities, Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto, Évora (Alentejo) and the Algarve are serviced by a highway.
For use of these motorways, also for the pay toll bridges at Lisbon, it asks for a small amount of money

The new highway runs from Lagos in the Algarve along the coast via Portimão, Albufeira and Faro to Spain.

Some rules:
-within built-up areas: 60 km

-outside built-up areas: 80 km

-main roads: 100 km-motorways: 120 km

-front belt required

-driving license and valid insurance required

-with alcohol behind the wheel, heavy fines

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​Shops: open 09.00-13.00/15.00-18.00 In the high season, many shops, and especially supermarkets, are open from 09.00 to 21.00 (supermarkets sometimes even later) and also on Sunday.

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Sea temperature: 16 ° c in the winter and in the summer around 21 ° c.

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Public holidays:
01 January-New Year's Day (Ano Novo)

 

25 April-Day of the Revolution (Dia da Liberdade) in memory of the revolution in 1974 (Carnation Revolution)

May 1-Labour Day (Festa do Trabalho)

10 June-Day of Portugal (Dia de Portugal)

13 June-Day of Saint Anthony (Dia de Santo António)

15 August-Assumption (Assunção de Nossa Senhora)

05 October-Republic day (Implantação da República) the Foundation vd Republic in 1910

November 1st-All Saints (Todos os Santos)

01 December-Independence Day (Restauraçãoda Independência)

08 December-Immaculate Conception (Imaculada Conceição)

December 25-Christmas (Natal)

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