Compare travel insurance for Portugal from £0.79^
Key takeaways
The average cost of travel insurance for Portugal is £11.81
^ It can protect you if you have medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and more
Some medical expense in Portugal are covered by the EHIC and GHIC scheme, however this does not replace a comprehensive policy
Do I need travel insurance for Portugal?
Holiday insurance is not a legal requirement. But without it you will be personally responsible for paying all the costs if something goes wrong with your trip.
Travel insurance can financially protect you if your holiday to Portugal is unexpectedly cancelled, you need medical treatment while travelling, or your valuables are lost or stolen.
According to the latest data from the Association of British Insurers:
British residents had to make 574,000
^ claims on their travel insurance in 2023The average claim amount was £972
^ and the average medical claim £1,750^ In contrast, you can find travel insurance to Portugal from just £0.79
^
What type of travel insurance do I need for Portugal?
Portugal is typically covered under European travel insurance policies.
The specific type of policy you need depends on your travel plans:
One trip to Portugal only
If you are only visiting Portugal, choose single-trip travel insurance and select Portugal as your destination.
One trip to Portugal and other countries
Combining a holiday in Portugal with visits to other countries, perhaps on an interrailing trip?
Single-trip travel insurance can cover multiple countries as long as:
You don’t head home in-between countries. For that you need multi-trip insurance.
You are not away for a long time (policy-dependent, but usually a month). For that, you need backpackers’ insurance.
Several holidays throughout the year
You might save money by selecting an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy.
This will also cover you for staycations in the UK.
Travelling with a medical condition
You can get travel insurance with a pre-existing medical condition, but it may be more expensive than a standard policy.
How much is travel insurance for Portugal?
The table shows the average prices paid by our customers for holidays to Portugal this year. Average price means 51% of customers paid this amount or less. Cheapest price means 10% of customers paid this price or less.
Cheapest price | Average price |
|---|---|
£0.79 | £11.81 |
Can I get last minute travel insurance for Portugal?
Yes, it is possible to get last-minute travel insurance up to the day of your departure, although not all insurance providers will offer this.
Compare last-minute travel insurance quotes | Cover from just £3.77
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Is it cheaper to buy travel insurance closer to my departure date?
No, it is usually more expensive to buy travel insurance last-minute.
If possible you should buy your holiday insurance as soon as you book your trip. That way you'll be covered if you have to cancel your Portugal holiday.
What should my travel insurance policy for Portugal include?
🚩Different travel insurance policies have different inclusions and exclusions. You should always read your documents and check what you're covered for.
Standard travel insurance will usually cover:
Illness and accidents
Trip and activity cancellations
Lost luggage (including your passport)
Theft
Repatriation (bringing you home if you are seriously injured, ill, or dead)
Personal liability (you are responsible for accidentally harming someone or their property)
What isn’t covered by travel insurance to Portugal?
Typical exclusions include:
Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions
'Unforeseeable' disasters including terrorism, war, strikes, and natural disasters
Alcohol and drug-related incidents
Travel to areas advised against by the government (found on the FCDO website)
Adventure or winter sports
💡 Top tip: You can upgrade your insurance to include add-ons like winter sports, gadget cover and travel disruption cover.
Remember your excess!
Your excess is the amount of money you must pay towards any insurance claim you make. It is a fixed amount regardless of the claim size and it is set in advance when you take out your policy.
Increasing your excess can lower the cost of your policy, but make any claims less affordable.
Medical care in Portugal
British citizens can get some necessary state healthcare in Portugal for free with a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
However, the UK government and the NHS advise that Britons with GHICs still take out comprehensive travel insurance when they visit Portugal as the health insurance cards do not cover all medical situations and costs.
Will my EHIC/GHIC cover me in Portugal?
Yes, you can still use Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC) or unexpired European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) to get some free healthcare in Portugal.
GHICs are replacing EHICs, which will be phased out as they expire. UK residents can get a GHIC for free from the NHS website. The cards are valid for up to five years.
Can I get travel insurance for Portugal if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
Yes, you can get travel insurance cover with a pre-existing medical condition, but it may be more expensive than a standard policy.
A pre-existing condition is any medical issue for which you had symptoms, medication, medical advice, treatment, or tests before you took out your insurance policy. It includes mental health conditions and disabilities.
You must disclose all pre-existing medical conditions. If you don't, your insurer can refuse to pay out for a claim.
Compare medical conditions travel insurance quotes | Cover from just £4.83
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Do I need vaccinations to visit Portugal?
🚩 Vaccination recommendations may be different for individuals with specific health conditions. We recommend speaking to your doctor before travelling.
The NHS Fit for Travel website recommends that your regular vaccinations are up to date before you travel to Portugal, including your flu and Covid-19 vaccines if you are eligible for these.
There are no other specific vaccines advised for Portugal, but you may wish to consider getting a tetanus vaccine before travelling. Travellers at highest risk are also advised to consider hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines.
Do I need a visa to visit Portugal?
🚩 Visa requirements for a country can change. For the most up-to-date information, check the UK government’s foreign travel advice website.
No, if you are a UK passport holder you do not need a visa to enter Portugal as long as:
Your visit will not mean you have spent more than 90 days in the Schengen area within a 180-day period
the purpose of your visit is a holiday or to visit friends and family
the purpose of your visit is for certain types of work or study purposes, such as to attend a business meeting
Rules for visiting Europe have changed post-Brexit. If you overstay your 90-day visa-free limit you can be banned from entering any Schengen country for three years.
Your passport must have a date of issue less than 10 years before the date you arrive in Portugal, and an expiry date at least three months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area.
What travel insurance do I need for hiking in Portugal?
You may need to have adventure sports cover. Portugal is home to some spectacular hikes, including the Seven Hanging Valleys trail, and the Via Algarviana. Standard travel insurance policies often will not cover hiking above a certain height or in riskier locations, so if your hiking trip involves mountaineering or using climbing equipment you'll almost certainty need extra cover.
You may be able to add adventure sports cover to your existing travel insurance for a fee. Travel insurers will also often bundle together adventure sports cover and winter sports cover.
What travel insurance do I need to protect my belongings in Portugal?
Most types of travel insurance will include some level of protection for your belongings and baggage. However, it is important to check what is and what isn’t covered.
Portugal is widely considered to be a very safe place to travel, and crime rates are low. However, the UK government advises that pickpocketing, bag-snatching and theft from holiday properties are common in major tourist areas. You should therefore make sure that your insurance has adequate coverage for your personal belongings. You can also consider add-ons such as gadget insurance and passport cover, which are not always included as standard.
How do I claim on my travel insurance?
Report the incident you want to claim for to your insurer as soon as possible
If something is stolen, report it to the local police within 24 hours and get a report
Keep records of what has happened, including photos or videos and the contact details of anyone involved
Read our guide to making a claim on your travel insurance.
Find cheap Portugal travel insurance with MoneySuperMarket
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Compare travel insurance quotes | Portugal cover from just £0.79
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Author
Jake Edmonds
Former Senior Commercial Manager
Jake was a Senior Commercial Manager at MoneySuperMarket, overseeing the Travel, Business, and Landlord Insurance channels. Jake joined MoneySuperMarket over six years ago, he began his career here...
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Katie Bishop
Insurance writer
Katie Bishop is an author and journalist with a decade of writing and editing experience. She has previously worked as an economics editor at Oxford University Press, and her business and finance...
