How to Use Via Verde in Portugal: Tolls, Parking and Setup
How Via Verde works in Portugal: getting a transponder, plans and costs, electronic-only tolls, rental cars, foreign plates, parking and unpaid toll notices.
Where to start
Visiting Portugal as a tourist
Planning a trip or a short stay: where to look for reliable information and what to have ready.
A short trip needs very little paperwork, but a little planning goes a long way. Use the official tourism and transport sites for anything that changes — opening hours, prices and timetables — and keep the emergency numbers in your phone.
Entry rules depend on your nationality. If you are not an EU citizen, check the visa requirements for short stays on the Portuguese Visa Portal before you book.
When you land, see how to get from the airport to the city; for longer trips, how to get around Portugal. And don't leave without trying the traditional Portuguese food.
Before you go, check the public holidays for your dates, when many offices and small shops close, and read our 25 facts about Portugal.
Your route, step by step
A typical order — your own may differ. Tick off steps as you go.
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Plan where to go
Regions, events and seasons from the national tourism board.
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Work out how to get around
Trains link the main cities; check timetables and fares on the operator's site.
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Explore Lisbon Coming soon
Neighbourhoods, transport and day trips from the capital.
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Explore Porto and the north Coming soon
The second city, the Douro valley and the northern coast.
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Save the health numbers
112 for emergencies; SNS 24 (808 24 24 24) for health advice. EU visitors should bring their European Health Insurance Card.
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