Last updated: 04/05/2024
Tourists visiting Portugal for less than 90 days do not need travel insurance to enter the country. However, if you plan on staying longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for a Schengen Visa. Part of the visa requirements include a travel insurance policy with at least €30,000 in medical coverage.
While travel insurance is not a requirement for the majority of visitors, it’s still strongly recommended to purchase a policy for your upcoming trip.
Portugal is one of Europe’s most visited countries, as well as one of the most popular destinations among Squaremouth customers. Travelers that insure their trips to the picturesque playground of Portugal do so mostly to cover potential unexpected healthcare expenses in the event they get sick or ill while abroad.
With that said, there are many other benefits to buying insurance for your upcoming trip to Portugal. Squaremouth breaks down those benefits along with coverage recommendations.
While Portugal offers free healthcare to citizens and legal residents, those visiting from abroad will need to cover their own healthcare expenses. Depending on the nature of the injury or illness sustained, the cost of receiving medical treatment abroad can be extremely costly.
Travel medical insurance is broken down into two main benefits, Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation, and can cover the cost of unexpected medical emergencies while in Portugal. Medical coverage can vary widely from one policy to the next, so it’s important to find a plan that provides adequate coverage for your trip.
If you’re planning on taking a trip to Portugal, we recommend a policy with at least $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage, and at least $100,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage. This is in line with our standard international travel recommendations, and should provide you with enough coverage for hospital bills, x-rays, ambulance rides, or an emergency evacuation back home.
From flights to hotels, tours to rental cars, the cost of traveling to Portugal can stack up quickly. Unless those expenses are refundable, travelers could potentially lose thousands of dollars if they are forced to cancel their trip.
Trip Cancellation coverage, included in most comprehensive travel insurance plans, can reimburse you those nonrefundable trip expenses if you are forced to cancel your trip for a covered reason. Most policies will cover cancellations relating to pre-departure illnesses and injuries, as well as natural disasters, terrorism, and civil unrest.
There’s also a chance these situations could force you to return home early from your trip. In this case, Trip Interruption coverage could reimburse you for unused trip costs as well as additional transportation expenses incurred to get home.
Aside from medical emergencies and cancellations, travel insurance can protect against other common travel disruptions that can be just as financially straining as they are frustrating.
Travel Delay is a benefit included in most comprehensive policies that can reimburse food and accommodation expenses incurred during a significant delay, as well as unused trip costs you miss out on while you wait.
If you miss a connecting flight as a result of a delay, your policy’s Missed Connection benefit may cover costs required to book additional transportation to catch up with your trip. This is an important benefit for those taking an indirect route to Portugal.
Travel insurance can also cover your luggage and personal items. If your bags are delayed on route to Portugal, your policy’s Baggage Delay benefit may reimburse you for clothes, toiletries, or other necessities. If your belongings are lost, stolen, or damaged during your trip, your policy’s Baggage & Personal Items Loss benefit may reimburse you the cost of those items up to a specified amount.
Click here to begin your search for Portugal Travel Insurance.
Tourists from around the world flock to Portugal for its warm weather, vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, and stunning beaches.
Destination Rank: 13
Percentage of Squaremouth Sales: 2.07%
Average Premium: $319.78
Average Trip Cost: $4,761.22
Squaremouth Analytics compares thousands of travel insurance policies purchased pre- and post-pandemic to identify changes and trends in the travel insurance industry.
Squaremouth's destination information is free and available for use within your reporting.
Please credit Squaremouth.com for any information used.
Squaremouth's topic experts are on hand to answer your questions. Contact a member of our team for media inquiries about Squaremouth Analytics or to schedule an interview.
Steven Benna, Lead Data Analyst: sbenna@squaremouth.com