Why Portugal — what is not in the brochure

To say that Portugal is a beautiful country would likely be the understatement of the year. Each town is loaded with history, vistas, and a pulse all its own. Each village will easily draw different kinds of people because the attractions are so unique. If you are looking at a map one cannot help but notice, there is easily 1,115 miles of coast, and with it some of the most beautiful beaches in this world. Portugal consistently ranks in the top 10 on the Global Peace Index, and locals frequently joke the only way to get killed in Portugal is to get hit by a car. It is clear to see why Portugal welcomed 19.7 million international visitors in 2025. As day transitions into night, there is little need to grab your valuables tighter because violent crimes are extremely rare.

With all of that said, there are a few things that are not in the brochures. Portuguese vendors largely and almost exclusively accept Visa and Mastercard. American Express and Discover/Diners Club cards are rarely accepted. To that end, Expat Pal recommends that visitors and residents choose internationally accepted providers of currency and payments when traveling abroad. Why are we talking about something as unsexy as banking and transfer fees? Because at the end of an extended holiday, POS fees at the terminal, at your home bank, and at the ATMs really add up significantly. In some cases, these fees equal the funds for another holiday, so banking is worth mentioning.

Aside from banking, we strongly encourage you to learn a few Portuguese words and expressions. While English is widely known, in some places outside of Lisbon and Porto, locals — especially in smaller towns in the Algarve — do not enjoy “estrangeiros” who do not speak Portuguese. Some will bend a little if you make the effort, but deferring to Spanish is not always a welcome option. Learn phrases like please, bathroom, how can I find…, thank you, you're welcome, and it's no big deal. These expressions can go a long way.

In addition, customer service is a dying art in general, but in Portugal the customer is not always right. There will be days that you will have to pay for a service that was rendered with frustration and lacking grace. There is a solution if you are a resident, but if you are on holiday it may be in your best interest to just let it ride. If the rudeness is coming from a local vendor that you must frequent — like AIMA, Social Security, your financial institution, or a local café — ask for the “Livro de Reclamações”. That is the complaint book, and the Portuguese seem to respect it. Usually merely asking for this book turns frowns upside down and summons the courtesies that were missing seconds before.

Driving and car rentals

When you rent a car from a “.com” URL your cost will generally be more expensive than if you rent with a VPN from a “.pt” URL. The difference is hundreds and even thousands in savings, because the “.pt” site will save you the exorbitant caution required for visitors. The second saving comes from choosing a manual over an automatic transmission. Finally, book in increments of 21 days or less — the 21st and 22nd day rental contracts trigger higher pricing, so for an extended holiday, do separate bookings.

Shop around if you are planning a road trip. Just because Spain is across the bridge, it doesn't mean your rental car is allowed to go; extra fees are demanded at the point of sale for visitors who want to take rentals across borders. To avoid accidents one must learn the rules of the rotary, since there are no four-way stops in Portugal, and pedestrians always have the right of way — you will be expected to stop the moment anyone puts so much as their baby toe near a crosswalk. Look up common traffic signs for the countries you want to visit. This will help you avoid parking tickets, fines, and interactions with the GNR. As they say, let's talk again soon.