The number to call in an emergency is 112. Dial the number and ask for the
service you require – police (polícia) , ambulance (ambulância)  or fire brigade (bombeiros) . If you need medical treatment, the casualty department
(serviço de urgência)  of the closest main hospital
will treat you. On motorways and main roads, use the orange SOS telephone to
call for help should you have a car accident. The service is in Portuguese;
press the button and then wait for the operator who will connect you.

No vaccinations are needed for visitors, although doctors recommend being
up-to-date with tetanus, diptheria and measles jabs. Tap water is safe to
drink throughout the country. If you are visiting during the summer, it is
advisable to bring insect repellent, as mosquitoes, while they do not
present any serious health problems, can be a nuisance.

Social security coverage is available for all EU nationals, although you may
have to pay first and reclaim later. To reclaim, you must obtain a EU health
insurance card before you travel. This form is available at post offices
throughout the UK or from the Department of Health, with a booklet called
Health Advice for Travellers , which explains
entitlements and how to claim them. The card covers emergencies only, so
medical insurance is strongly advised. Bear in mind that private health care
is expensive in Portugal and get an itemized bill for your insurance
carrier.

The British Hospital  in Lisbon has English-speaking
doctors, as do health centres on the Lisbon coast and throughout the
Algarve. For details, look in the local English newspapers.

Pharmacies (farmácias)  can diagnose simple health problems
and suggest treatment. Pharmacists can dispense a range of drugs that are
available on prescription in many other countries. The sign for a farmácia  is a green cross on a white background. They are
open from 9am to 1pm and 3pm to 7pm weekdays (9am–1pm Saturday). Each
pharmacy displays a card showing the address of the nearest all-night
pharmacy and a list of those with late closing (10pm).

In all main cities and towns, the police force is the Polícia de
Segurança Pública  (PSP). Law and order in rural areas is kept by
the Guarda Nacional Republicana  (GNR). The Brigada de Trânsito  (traffic police) division of the GNR,
recognizable by their red armbands, is responsible for patrolling roads.

Violent crime is rare in Portugal, and the vast majority of visitors will
experience no problems whatsoever. Nonetheless, a few sensible precautions
are worth taking: in Lisbon, avoid quiet areas such as the Baixa after dark,
and don’t stroll alone through Bairro Alto, Alfama or around Cais do Sodrá
after bars’ closing time. In the daytime, be alert to the possibility of
pickpockets or bag-snatchers. Similar precautions apply to some of the
resorts in the Algarve and to the Ribeira district of Oporto.

It is generally a good idea to ignore any jeering, heckling or other
provocations – they are usually not as serious as they can sound. Other
precautions include not carrying large amounts of cash and holding on to
mobile phones and cameras. If you are robbed, you are advised not to try to
resist.

If you have any property stolen, you should immediately contact the nearest
police station. Theft of documents, such as a passport, should also be
reported to your consulate. Many insurance companies insist that policy
holders report any theft within 24 hours. The police will file a report
which you will need in order to claim from your insurance company on your
return home. Contact the PSP in towns or cities, or the GNR in rural areas.
In all situations, keep calm and be polite to the authorities to avoid
delays. The same applies should you be involved in a car accident. In rural
areas you may be asked to accompany the other driver to the nearest police
station to complete the necessary paperwork. Ask for an interpreter if no
one there speaks English.

An insurance policy that covers the costs of legal advice, issued by
companies such as Europ Assistance or Mondial Assistance, will help with the
legal aspects of your insurance claim should you have an accident.

If you have not arranged this cover, call your nearest consulate or the Ordem dos Advogados  (lawyers’ association) who can give
you names of English-speaking lawyers and help you with obtaining
representation.

Lists of interpreters, if you require one, are given in the local Yellow
Pages (Páginas Amarelas) under Tradutores e Intérpretes ,
or can be contacted through the Assistentes Intérpretes de
Portugal , which is based in Lisbon.

The portuguese for toilets is casa de banho . If the usual
figures of a man or woman are not shown, look for homens ,
senhores  or cavalheiros  (men) and
senhoras  or damas  (ladies).

Toilet facilities are provided at service areas every 40 km (25 miles) and at
drive-in rest areas on motorways.