Travel insurance when visiting Portugal
What Canadian travellers need to know before going to Portugal
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At a glance
- World Nomads offers four travel insurance plans for your trip to Portugal. Plans range from standard to higher-limit protections.
- Coverage may apply to popular activities in Portugal like surfing, cycling and hiking.
- Policies for Canadians include protection for medical emergencies, trip cancellations and lost luggage.
Portugal is a compact, easy-to-explore country where a laid-back lifestyle, strong café culture and great food add to the appeal for Canadians. Lisbon is rich in history, with centuries-old neighbourhoods, cobblestone streets and historic trams weaving through the city’s hilltop districts. Head north to Porto for port wine cellars and riverside walks along the Douro, or venture inland to the Douro Valley, where terraced vineyards follow the contours of the hills. Further south, the Algarve golden cliffs and surf beaches are a magnet for travellers, while lesser-known regions like Alentejo offer wide-open landscapes, whitewashed villages and a slower pace. A smooth trip starts with smart planning, so be sure to choose the right cover before you leave home.
Plan Comparisons
Choosing the right travel insurance coverage depends on your trip type and planned activities. Each of our four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – offers different coverages and benefit maximums.
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
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Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Covering the basics for your trip to Portugal. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Get a quote |
Travel insurance for adventure activities in Portugal
Portugal’s coastline and more rugged inland regions are made for getting active outdoors. Surfing is a major draw, with consistent waves along the Atlantic coast from Ericeira, a World Surfing Reserve, to the beaches around Peniche and Nazaré. Portugal is a standout destination for hiking, with the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail considered one of the best in Europe. Cycling is another highlight, whether you’re riding through the Douro Valley’s vineyard-covered hills or along coastal routes. Canyoning and coasteering are popular in Madeira and the Azores, while rafting and canoeing offer a different way to explore Portugal’s rivers.
Coverage for 250 activities you love + more
Common insurance considerations for Portugal
Trip interruption
No matter how good of a time you’re having in Portugal, things can happen that mean you have to end your trip early or you’re unable to participate in your full planned itinerary. If you get severely injured or sick while you're travelling, or you get a call from back home and learn that an immediate family member has unexpectedly passed away, you may not be able to complete the rest of your planned trip. World Nomads offers trip interruption coverage that may help you get reimbursed for prepaid, non-refundable travel costs if your plans change for a covered reason.
Accidents and emergencies
No one likes imagining the worst, but if you do get seriously sick or have an accident that sends you to hospital, you’ll be glad you purchased travel insurance before you left home. Stayed out too long in the sun on the Algarve and needed medical attention? Had an accident hiking in Madeira? Ate some seafood past its prime and came down with a nasty bout of food poisoning? Emergency assistance is a phone call away.
Trip Cancellation
The best trips are often the ones you’ve planned months in advance, but you can’t predict the future and unexpected situations can sometimes happen before you even set off. Trip cancellation coverage is included in all single-trip and annual travel insurance plans offered by World Nomads and gives you the opportunity to cancel your trip before you depart – but only for covered reasons. Optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to cancel for any reason that’s not otherwise covered by your plan. Broke up with your partner? You can cancel your trip. Sick dog? You can stay home to care for your fur baby. Change your mind about travelling? There’s no judgment here. Just make sure you purchase Cancel For Any Reason insurance cover within 15 days of making your first trip payment (like booking a hotel or flight).
Missing luggage
Nothing gets a trip off to a rocky start quite like arriving in Portugal without your bags. If your checked luggage is lost or delayed, travel insurance benefits may help reimburse you for lost items. Keep original receipts for any personal items you buy – like a toothbrush, medication or a change of clothes. The first step is always to report missing luggage to your carrier and check what compensation they may provide.
Tips for travelling to Portugal
- Travel outside peak season (June to September) and venture beyond the main cities to experience a different side of Portugal
- Summer temperatures can be high, particularly inland, so plan outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon and stay hydrated
- Be mindful of pickpocketing in busy areas, especially in Lisbon and Porto
- Take care when swimming as Atlantic currents can be strong along some beaches. Swim in designated, lifeguard-patrolled areas.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for Portugal. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Do Canadians need a visa to visit Portugal?
Canadians don’t need a visa for short stays in Portugal (up to 90 days within a 180-day period), but must apply for ETIAS authorisation before arrival. Requirements can change, so check current advice before you travel.
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What is the best time to visit Portugal?
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) offer mild weather and fewer crowds. Summer is popular but can be hot, especially inland.
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Can I drink tap water in Portugal?
Yes, tap water is safe to drink across Portugal.
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Do I need travel insurance for Portugal?
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended. Cover for accidents, medical emergencies, cancellations, delays and lost luggage can help protect you against unexpected costs. Whether you’re in a major city or off adventuring in a more remote location, it’s reassuring to know you can get the help you need – especially when it comes to an accident or sudden illness.
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Is Portugal safe for tourists?
Portugal is considered one of the safest countries in Europe. Petty theft can occur in busy areas, so stay aware of your surroundings and keep valuables secure. Check Canadian government advice before travelling and consider travel insurance.
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How do I make a travel insurance claim?
You can make a claim online 24/7. Have your documents and receipts handy to upload, and get started. If you get stuck, you can call us collect on +1 416 646 3723 or send an email to worldnomads@travelguard.com and we will assist you with your claim.
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What do I do if I need emergency assistance?
No matter where you are in the world, our 24/7 Emergency Assistance partners at Travel Guard are ready to help – 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Whether it’s a medical emergency, stolen gear, missing bags, or a natural disaster, they’re the first call to make. Need a translator? They can help with that too.
When you call, you’ll be asked if you are experiencing a travel emergency. If you are having a medical emergency, you’ll be connected with Emergency Assistance right away. If your situation is not urgent and you are calling outside of normal business hours, you’ll be able to leave a message and be called back.
The contact information for medical emergency assistance is:
Phone: +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.); or
Phone: +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Insurance protection for your hard earned vacation in the event of unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- AMT Plan: $10,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $250,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $750,000
- Annual Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Gear & Baggage Protection
Coverage for the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $5,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
Protect your health
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Return of Remains
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
Protect your trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Exchange (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
- Rental Vehicle Damage (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
Protect your stuff
- Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
- Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
- Travel Documents Theft or Damage
- Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
- Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services
- 24/7 Worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Personal Security Assistance
- Adventure Traveller’s Hotline
- Bag Trak
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.