Portugal

Portugal is a key European hub for Atlantic connections, with Humberto Delgado Airport (Lisbon) serving as the main gateway. The sector is regulated by the ANAC (National Civil Aviation Authority), which oversees compliance with safety and passenger protection standards. As a European Union Member State, Portugal strictly follows EU law; the ASAE (Economic and Food Safety Authority) is also a relevant body in supervising commercial practices. The market is characterized by a strong presence of low-cost carriers and the national flag carrier, TAP Air Portugal.

In 2026, entry requirements for Portugal (Schengen Area) include:

• Passport: Must be valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of departure from the Schengen Area and must have been issued within the last 10 years.
• ETIAS: Not yet in operation (checked in October 2026). Visa-exempt travellers do not need to apply for any authorisation before travelling today: they enter with a valid passport for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. When ETIAS starts, the European Union will announce the date several months in advance on its official website. Be wary of websites that charge for it before then.
• Tourist Visas: For citizens of countries not exempt from visa requirements, a Schengen Visa (Type C) is mandatory, allowing a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

In Portugal, passenger rights are governed by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

• Delays: If a flight is delayed by more than 2 hours (short-haul), 3 hours (medium-haul), or 4 hours (long-haul), the airline must provide assistance (meals, telephone calls, and, if necessary, hotel accommodation and transport).
• Compensation: If the arrival delay exceeds 3 hours, passengers may be entitled to financial compensation between €250 and €600, except in cases of "extraordinary circumstances" (adverse weather, third-party strikes, etc.).
• Cancellations: Passengers are entitled to a ticket refund or re-routing, as well as financial compensation, unless they were notified at least 14 days in advance.
• Denied Boarding: If a flight is overbooked, the airline must seek volunteers; otherwise, it must pay immediate compensation and provide re-routing.

There is no national law mandating free carry-on baggage; airlines maintain pricing freedom under the supervision of ANAC.

• Rules: Each airline sets its own policy regarding dimensions and weight. However, airlines must ensure full transparency in the final ticket price, including all mandatory taxes and fees.
• Checked baggage: report any damage or loss at the airline's counter (PIR form - Property Irregularity Report) before leaving the baggage reclaim area, and send a written complaint to the airline within 7 days (damage) or 21 days (delay).

Portugal follows European regulations for the movement of companion animals (dogs, cats, and ferrets):

• Identification: The animal must have an ISO-compliant microchip (ISO standard 11784/11785).
• Vaccination: The rabies vaccine is mandatory and must be valid.
• Passport/Certificate: If traveling from outside the EU, an International Health Certificate is required.
• From Brazil and other countries not listed by the EU: a rabies antibody test, taken at least 3 months before travel, is also required.
• Entry: Pets generally travel in the cabin (if below the weight limit) or in the hold. It is recommended to check with the DGAV (Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary) beforehand for animals arriving from high-rabies-risk countries.

• Unaccompanied Minors: In Portugal, minors under 18 traveling alone or accompanied by someone other than their parents/legal guardians must carry an Exit Authorization that has been signed and notarized, especially when leaving national territory.
• Assistance: Most airlines offer an "Unaccompanied Minor" (UM) service for children between 5 and 12 years old, providing dedicated supervision throughout the journey.

Portugal enforces Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006, which guarantees the right to assistance for persons with reduced mobility or disabilities.

• Airports: Assistance must be requested from the airline or tour operator at least 48 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• Rights: Passengers are entitled to free assistance at all stages of the airport journey (check-in, security, boarding, and disembarking). On flights, the transport of wheelchairs and support equipment is generally free and does not count towards the baggage allowance.

• ANAC (Passenger Rights): https://www.anac.pt
• Portuguese Communities Portal (Visas and Travel): https://portaldascomunidades.mne.gov.pt
• DGAV (Pet Entry): https://www.dgav.pt
• ETIAS (Official EU Website): https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en
• Visit Portugal (Tourist Information): https://www.visitportugal.com