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Travel insurance when visiting Portugal

Learn more about World Nomads travel insurance for your travel across Portugal.

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If you’re planning a holiday to Portugal to experience the historic city centres of Lisbon and Porto, pristine beaches like Praia da Rocha in Portimao, wine tours in the Douro Valley, majestic castles in The Alentejo region and culinary experiences throughout this impressive European country, it’s a smart move to buy a travel insurance policy from World Nomads to protect your trip investment. And don’t forget about your health and your baggage. World Nomads plans offer out-of-country emergency medical coverage and baggage insurance.

Your World Nomads policy may include coverage for:

SRua Garrett at night
Rua Garrett at night, Lisbon, Portgual. Photo credit: Getty Images / Renaud Visage

What should you look for in a travel insurance policy for a trip to Portugal?

An emergency situation affecting your travel plans could spell disaster for you and your pocketbook. What would happen if you or an immediate family member suddenly became sick, and you had to cancel your trip? What would you do if a pickpocket swipes your phone while you’re enjoying the sights and sounds of old town Sintra? Travel insurance is designed to cover losses resulting from these types of unforeseeable and emergency circumstances.

A travel insurance plan that includes trip cancellation and interruption coverage can help protect your travel investment and should also provide cover for your baggage and personal effects and emergency medical cover in case you become sick or injured while on your trip. Travel insurance does not cover everything so make sure you read your policy to ensure it meets your needs.

A World Nomads policy can help provide you with:

Trip cancellation and interruption coverage

It’s common to have to put down deposits on lodging, tours, excursions, and transportation because so many Canadian travellers visit Portugal. Travel insurance may protect your non-refundable and prepaid outlays should you need to cancel your trip because of a covered reason listed in your policy, like a sick parent.

Lost, stolen or delayed baggage coverage

World Nomads Standard and Explorer Plans offer cover for loss, theft or damage to baggage and personal belongings and sporting equipment. The policy limit will depend on the policy you choose to purchase. Upon arriving to Porto from Toronto to start your trip, if your luggage doesn’t arrive at the airport, it will be upsetting. However, our assistance services team can help you with emergency travel problems including luggage tracing. And your travel insurance policy may provide reimbursement for the replacement of necessary personal effects if your baggage is delayed by your airline or ground carrier for 12 hours or more while you are on your trip.

World Nomads travel insurance may also provide reimbursement towards the cost to replace lost or damaged baggage and personal belongings, including lost or damaged sporting equipment. Your personal belongings also may be covered if stolen while travelling in Portugal. For example, if you’re on a city tour in Lisbon, and your watch is swiped in a crowded shopping area, you may be reimbursed for this loss.

When you realize your baggage or belongings have been delayed, lost or stolen, get a report from your airline, tour operator or local police. You will need this report when you file a claim. Hold on to any related receipts. Keep in mind there could be a waiting period before your benefits kick in. Be sure to read your travel insurance policy as it will outline exclusions, per item limits and how depreciation may impact your reimbursement.

To be best protected, keep your personal belongings near you at all times. Store valuables like credit cards and travel documents in a money belt or cross-body bag, and don’t draw attention by wearing expensive jewellery. You have a duty of care to protect your belongings. For instance, if you leave your cell phone in a washroom while drinking in excess in Lisbon, your travel insurance probably won’t cover this type of loss.

Lagos beach in Algarve, Portugal
Lagos beach in Algarve, Portugal. Photo credit: Getty Images / Carol Yepes

Overseas emergency medical coverage

When in Portugal, having overseas medical insurance is a good idea in case you become sick or get injured. It’s important to understand that Canada and Portugal do not have reciprocal healthcare agreements. Out-of-country medical treatment can be expensive, so buying overseas emergency medical insurance for travel to Portugal is recommended. World Nomad’s travel insurance plans include emergency medical coverage for injury and sickness. Coverage may include such things as the cost of a visit to a local doctor, hospital expenses, ambulance transportation and emergency evacuation and repatriation if recommended by your treating physician. So if you cut your foot on a beach in Praia de Tavira, Algarve, the emergency medical coverage in your World Nomads travel insurance policy may cover your medical expenses.

For information on COVID-related coverage, read our Travel Insurance & Covid-19 article.

24/7 Emergency Assistance

Handling a medical emergency is unsettling, but with a World Nomads travel insurance policy, you’re not alone. Our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team may help you to identify appropriate medical care, act as a liaison with medical providers, and assist with arrangements including upfront payment of medical care if deemed necessary. We can also assist with translation services.

Elevador da Bica funicular in Lisbon, Portugal
Elevador da Bica funicular in Lisbon, Portugal. Photo credit: Getty Images / Alexander Spatari

Coverage for sports and recreational activities in Portugal

If you’re headed to Lagos to kayak, or you’re planning a guided bicycle tour in the Alentejo region, World Nomads offers travel insurance coverage for 150+ activities and sports. List your planned activities when you purchase your policy. You’ll have the option to upgrade your policy for more adventurous pursuits. Reach out to us if you need help with policy choices, we’re happy to assist.

This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions, just ask us.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.

  • Explorer Plan: $5,000
  • Standard Plan: $2,500
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Explorer Plan: $10 million
  • Standard Plan: $5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation

We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.

  • Explorer Plan: $500,000
  • Standard Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.

  • Explorer Plan: $3,000
  • Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
  • Passport stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Medical Expenses
  • Emergency Dental for Injury or Sickness
  • Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
  • Emergency Professional Services
  • Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
  • Return to Your Trip Destination
  • Return of Remains
  • Travel Accident
  • Flight Accident
  • Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption
  • Trip Delay
  • 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 Included
  • LiveTravelTM Emergency Assistance
  • Worldwide Travel Assistance
  • Adventure Travel Hotline
  • 24/7 Security
  • Travel Medical Assistance
  • Bag Trak
This is a general summary for Canadian residents only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all provinces. Check the Travel Insurance Policy for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?

Telephone +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.) or +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)

Contact the team