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Essential apps for

Portugal

PortugueseEUR5 apps

Lisbon and Porto are both very app-friendly. Bolt is cheaper than Uber, and Glovo handles food delivery.

🔌

Power & Plug

TypeC / F
Voltage230V
Freq50Hz

Same as Germany.

💬

Basic phrases

Portuguese

  • Hello
    Olá
    Oh-la
  • Thank you
    Obrigado (m) / Obrigada (f)
    Ob-ree-ga-doh / -da
  • Sorry
    Desculpa
    Desh-cool-pah
  • Yes
    Sim
    Seem
  • No
    Não
    Now

+4 more below

🎎

Tipping

Tipping is modest and not mandatory, as service is not added automatically. Rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% at restaurants for good service is customary; a euro or two is fine for taxis and cafes.

🚖Rideshare & Taxi

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B

Bolt

European rideshare with cheaper fares than Uber in many cities. Also offers scooters.

Cheaper than Uber across Portugal.
iOSAndroidWebsite
U

Uber

The most widely available rideshare service globally. Works in 70+ countries.

Works well throughout the country.
iOSAndroidWebsite

💳Payments & Wallets

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R

Revolut

Multi-currency wallet with great FX rates. Useful in Europe, UK, US.

Useful for FX since EUR/PT bank fees can sting.
iOSAndroidWebsite

🗺️Navigation & Maps

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G

Google Maps

Works almost everywhere except mainland China. Offline maps are critical when roaming.

Strong transit data for Lisbon and Porto.
iOSAndroidWebsite

🍱Food Delivery

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G

Glovo

Spanish food + parcel delivery, big in Portugal, Italy, Eastern Europe, and Africa.

Dominant food delivery in Portugal.
iOSAndroidWebsite
Phrases

All Portuguese phrases

Hello
Olá
Oh-la
Thank you
Obrigado (m) / Obrigada (f)
Ob-ree-ga-doh / -da
Sorry
Desculpa
Desh-cool-pah
Yes
Sim
Seem
No
Não
Now
Please
Por favor
Poor fa-vor
How much?
Quanto custa?
Kwan-too koos-ta
Where is the bathroom?
Onde é a casa de banho?
On-deh eh a ka-za deh ban-yoh
Cheers
Saúde
Sah-oo-deh
Briefing

What to know before you go

✓ Do

  • Greet with a handshake, or two kisses on the cheek (starting with the right) between women or between men and women who are acquainted
  • Say 'bom dia', 'boa tarde', or 'boa noite' when entering shops and cafes
  • Dress neatly; Portuguese tend to dress smartly and casually scruffy attire stands out
  • Be patient and unhurried at meals; lingering over food and conversation is the norm
  • Address older people and strangers with the formal 'voce' or their title until invited to be casual
  • Wait to be seated at restaurants and keep your voice down, as loud behavior is considered rude

✕Don't

  • Do not confuse Portugal with Spain or assume Spanish language and customs apply; it can offend
  • Do not be loud or boisterous in public, which is seen as poor manners
  • Do not snap fingers or wave aggressively to get a waiter's attention
  • Do not skip a greeting before asking for help or directions, which comes across as abrupt

⚠️ Common scams to know

  • Restaurants near tourist areas serving unrequested 'couvert' appetizers (bread, olives, cheese) that are charged to your bill; you may decline them
  • Pickpockets and bag-snatchers on Lisbon's tram 28 and in crowded squares and metro stations
  • Fake petitions or 'deaf-mute' donation cards used to distract you while an accomplice steals your belongings
  • Drug dealers in Lisbon's Baixa and Bairro Alto offering 'hashish' that is fake; engaging draws you into a scam
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