Travel tips:

1402/03/31

1- Health-related recommendations: a) Upon arrival in Portugal: For entry into Portugal travelers will no longer be required to show proof of a negative test result for SARS-CoV-2 infection a digital EU COVID certificate or a vaccination or recovery certificate issued by a third country or Portugal. Note: Before traveling it is important to confirm the entry formalities with the airline the Foreign Service and borders (www.sef.pt gricrp.cc@sef.pt ) and the border control authority. Please note that during the summer (busy season) you should plan to arrive at the airport earlier taking into account the usual procedures for domestic or international flights as well. Portugals international airports (Lisbon Porto Faro Ponta Delgada and Funchal) have implemented measures to ensure the safety of everyone. More information can be found at the following link: https://www.ana.pt/en/passenger-guide/what-you-need-to-know/covid-19 b) Upon arrival in Iran: All travelers over 12 years of age with Iranian or non-Iranian citizenship can travel to Iran by presenting two or three COVID-19 vaccination certificates with 14 days after the last vaccination. Unvaccinated travelers must carry a negative PCR test within at least 72 hours before the flights departure. If the symptoms of the disease are observed the PCR test will be taken by the passengers expense at the airport and if the test result is positive the passenger will be quarantined at his/her own expense. In general to enter Iran whether you are flying with a domestic airline or a foreign airline read the rules of the same airline that you are flying with. 2- Safety and security recommendations: Portugals intercity roads are safe and there have been no reports of roads being blocked for any reason. Public transportation is by bus and subway. Passengers must enter the station through the gate with a ticket and it is not possible to board without a ticket but in the case of buses the drivers usually do not check the tickets or if you do not pay they do not warn the passengers but the police randomly check the buses and ask the passengers for a ticket or the receipt of the money they paid to the driver if the passengers do not provide them they will be fined 200 euros. Usually the tourist areas of the city center including Martim Muniz Square have seen a lot of pickpocketing and theft. In addition the Amadora area in the suburbs of Lisbon is one of the most crime-prone areas in the country. Travelers are advised to avoid carrying unnecessary documents and cash in crowded tourist areas and the above-mentioned areas (it is worth mentioning that most of the lost documents of Iranians have been sent to the embassy by the police). 3- Travel and road recommendations: The international drivers license issued in Iran can be used in Portugal. Resident Iranians can also obtain a Portuguese (European Union) license by submitting a translation of an Iranian license approved by the embassy to the Portuguese traffic authorities. The fine for illegal speeding on the highways is 70 euros and the fine for prohibited parking or non-payment of the parking fee is 35 euros. In case of locking and unlocking another 70 euros must be paid. It is mandatory to carry a colored night vest and the usual tools of the car. It is also mandatory for children under 6 years old in the car. The reference for information about traffic and roads is the following site. WWW.ESTRADAS.PT 4- Recommendations related to terrorism: Fortunately Portugal is a safe country in this field. And so far no case of terrorist acts has been observed in this country. 5- Recommendations related to customs laws and regulations to combat money laundering and terrorism financing currency entry and exit in cash or bank documents (bank check guarantee check traveler’s check other transferable financial documents) or securities Anonymous (bonds) in physical form in any way. By each passenger up to the amount of 10000 euros (ten thousand euros) or its equivalent in other currencies is allowed and does not need to be declared but for amounts over 10000 euros or its equivalent in other currencies the passenger must register the required information at the airport customs. Failure to comply with the above provisions will result in the punishment prescribed by law. Embedding and hiding any goods will be considered as smuggling by customs officials and will be subject to the regulations related to smuggling of goods. Regarding the carrying of some medicines the laws of Portugal are almost the same as the countries of the EU but it is recommended to carry the doctors preion and the original box of the medicine with you. 6- Recommendations related to local laws and customs: It is prohibited to personally slaughter halal meat animals. And it should be procured from halal meat centers. It is forbidden to light a fire in the forests. In the parts of the forest parks it is forbidden to light the barbecue in the hot months of the year. Also during the quarantine it is mandatory to observe silence in the apartments because some of the residents have two jobs. 7- Recommendations related to documents required for entry: Iranian citizens must always present a passport valid for more than six months. A valid visa issued by the embassy of that country in the country of origin is also required. - Preparation and storage of a copy of all personal documents especially the passport - Preparation of a travel insurance policy acceptable in the Schengen area from a reputable insurance company (due to the high cost of medical treatment for non-Portuguese citizens). 8- Recommendations related to health care: All medical centers in Portugal offer admission and medical services to foreign patients upon presentation of a passport also travelers can use temporary health insurance in Portuguese the number 112 is for emergencies (it is worth mentioning that this number is also for the fire service and It is also an emergency call). Medicines can also be obtained from pharmacies with a doctors preion in English. The reference for medical information is the following website and number: www.sns24.gov.pt Telephone number 808242424. 9- Recommendations related to natural disasters: During the hot months of the year Portuguese forests are prone to fires so travelers are advised to take precautions when visiting natural areas and forests and to call 112 immediately if such an incident occurs. 10- Current Currency Business and Economic Recommendations The current currency of Portugal is the Euro the economic situation of Portugal in the nine months of 2020 is summarized as follows: GDP 167 billion euros GDP per capita 2459 euros foreign exchange reserves of 23320.61 million euros the share of services in the GDP is 55.6 the share of the industrial sector is 14.2 the share of agriculture is 4.2 and the economic rank of this country is 47th in the world based on GDP. Those who are interested in more information in this field can refer to the website of the Embassy (Economic Department). 11- Evaluation and validation of the country: Portugals universities have the educational standards of the European Union and are a suitable place for Iranian students and researchers. Out of 1650 consular cases at the embassy 420 cases are currently students and the rest are mostly graduates of Portuguese universities who are currently working in this country or researchers who are working in universities. 12- The main issues and problems faced by Iranian nationals living in Portugal: Since the majority of Iranians living in Portugal are students and researchers the main problems are related to educational issues and matching Iranian educational qualifications. Iranians who intend to stay in Portugal for a longer period of time are advised to translate the required documents such as educational legal employment etc. documents in Iran and get them approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They should also bring translations of their childrens education certificates and vaccination cards. 13- The general recommendation of traveling or not traveling to the country for Iranian or non-Iranian citizens: The travel recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal regarding Iran to check the mutual situation: the security situation in most areas of the country is reasonable however traveling at night is not recommended any travel It is not recommended for the province of Sistan and Baluchistan around the borders with Afghanistan and Iraq as well as the areas bordering Armenia and Azerbaijan especially near the territory of Karabakh. If a Portuguese citizen is arrested in Iran the possibility of intervention by the Portuguese embassy is limited the authorities do not always inform the embassies of the arrest of a foreigner and access to consular support is not guaranteed so it is recommended that Portuguese travelers in Iran avoid places where public demonstrations occur And to stay away and refrain from taking pictures writing phone messages emails or blogs about political events or demonstrations that you may witness in Iran in order to avoid the risk of being arrested or accused of espionage. Tehran and other cities of Iran are generally safe and petty street crimes rarely happen however But there have been recent signs of a relative incidence of theft especially in major cities and mostly in Tehran. In case of theft you should immediately report to the local police. The geographical location and earthquake-prone areas of Iran are also mentioned to be considered tourists are also advised to respect customs and religious beliefs especially in the holy month of Ramadan and women over the age of 9 are advised to wear the Islamic hijab and men are not allowed to wear shorts. to wear If you invite them to express their opinion about Irans politics it is recommended to take a neutral stance towards the political-social reality of Iran and refrain from public opinion especially on issues such as human rights political regime social practices or religious traditions. In general Portugal is also a peaceful country with a high degree of culture and religion which despite the strong beliefs of its Catholic society treats other ethnic and religious minorities including Iranians with tolerance but as a member of NATO the European Union the Schengen area and the Euro area as well as a central member in the community of Portuguese-speaking countries it has political economic cultural and social policies and priorities stemming from participation in these arrangements and transatlantic defense and security cooperation and giving priority to the colonies. It has prioritized the past so this countrys view of Iran and Iranians is derived from European and transatlantic considerations with a little tolerance. In mutual relations it is considered on the basis of the common interests of the two countries. Portugal considers itself bound and committed to comply with the regulations and considerations of the EU in the way of dealing with Iran therefore its view on the problematic categories in the relations between Europe and Iran including economic sanctions and human rights considerations and regional issues is to a large extent under the influence of European commitments. 14- Address and telephone number of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Lisbon: Rua alto do duque 49 1400-009 Lisbon telephone number: 213041858 Telegram: iranemblis Twitter: @IRANinPORTUGAL 21/06/2023