Travel insurance for Portugal

From a twisted ankle to a more severe medical emergency, it’s impossible to always predict what might happen while on holiday. Travel insurance may cover any emergency medical expenses including hospital and other medical treatment. This can also include medical evacuation or repatriation back to Australia, which can be extremely costly to pay yourself.

24/7 emergency medical assistance is also typically be included in your policy. The emergency assistance team may help organise medical transport, direct you to the nearest medical facility and more.

No one wants their holiday to end before it can even begin or be cut short part way through. But in the event the worst does happen, travel insurance plans may cover lost deposits, cancellation fees and other relevant expenses (provided the reason your trip is cancelled is covered in the PDS). Travel insurance won’t usually cover cancellations for things such as change of mind, however.

This refers to a situation where you may owe legal liability expenses in the event you injure another person or damage their belongings. This benefit is typically included in all levels of travel insurance cover.

Travel insurance can cover your personal belongings, including valuables, cash, credit cards and even travel documents (e.g. your passport) if they are lost, stolen or damaged during your trip. However, your travel insurer may not cover you if you left your belongings unattended in a public space, as this might be seen as an avoidable loss had you been supervising your luggage.

Standard and comprehensive policies may also offer optional extras that you can purchase for specific activities and events. Some common add-ons include:

• Winter sports cover. Portugal might not be your first thought when it comes to ski holidays, but it’s still possible to enjoy the snow. Without this add-on, you usually won’t have medical coverage for any accidents that happen on-piste, or cancellation cover if bad weather stops you from being able to use pre-booked ski lessons.
• Adventure cover. Typically, activities that involve a slightly higher degree of risk than your average holiday may require an additional level of cover. The exact adventure activities covered may vary between providers so if you have a specific adventure in mind, check the PDS to make sure you’re covered.
• Rental car excess cover. If you hire a car overseas, you’ll typically need to pay the rental company an excess if the vehicle is damaged or stolen during your trip. Rental car excesses can be quite expensive, but luckily this optional extra may cover this cost.
• Scooter, moped and motorcycle cover. If you plan to jump on an electric scooter and ride through the streets of Lisbon, you’ll need this optional extra. Without this cover, your travel insurer may not cover you if you have an accident and need medical expenses.
• Cruise cover. If you’re taking a cruise around Portugal, then make sure you have cruise cover. This may cover any medical expenses you need onboard, along with emergency medical evacuation back to land if needed and other benefits.

If you’re an Australian travelling as a tourist for less than 90 days, you may not need a visa for Portugal (this includes the islands of Madeira and the Azores).¹ However, Portugal and other Schengen countries are beginning to introduce a new Enter/Exit System (EES) starting in October 2025.² It will work as a registering system for any non-EU nationals travelling in the Schengen Area, which consists of 29 European countries.

Yes, Portugal is usually a fairly safe country to visit and can be a great destination for your next holiday. But there are always a few things to be aware of, no matter where you are travelling too.

For example, pickpockets and theft have been known to occur in popular tourist areas, including from cars, public transport or even accommodation.¹ It’s important to be vigilant of your belongings in public, and keep copies of your important documentation.

Natural disasters may also be a concern, as Portugal is known to experience earthquakes, bushfires and flooding.¹ If a natural disaster occurs, monitor the local media and relevant Portuguese government websites for information on how to best stay safe.

The cost of a travel insurance policy will vary depending on factors such as:

• Your age
• Where you plan to go
• How long you’re travelling for
• Your level of cover
• If you add any optional extras to your policy.

A good way to check if you’re getting a good deal for your travel insurance is by comparing policies from different insurers.

If you’re an Australian citizen then travel insurance for Portugal isn’t mandatory, but it is recommended.¹ Only those who are travelling on a Schengen visa are required to take out travel insurance when travelling to Portugal or anywhere else in the Schengen Area.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a single ‘cheapest policy’ as the cost of travel insurance will vary in price depending on a person’s individual circumstances. Those on a budget may want to look at a medical-only travel insurance policy. These basic policies will usually only include medical and personal liability cover.

However, basic policies may not offer optional extras, as well as general cancellation cover or cover for your personal belongings. It’s important to weigh up the price against the benefits included in a policy’s coverage.