Essential Travel Information for Portugal | Portugal Travel Tips
1. Language: The official language of Portugal is Portuguese. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, restaurants, and major cities such as Lisbon, Porto, and Faro.
2. Currency: Portugal uses the Euro (€) as its official currency. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but carrying some cash is useful for small cafés, local markets, and rural towns.
3. Passport Validity: Your U.S. passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended stay in Portugal. For added security, having six months of validity is recommended.
4. Visa Requirements: U.S. citizens do not need a visa for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period for tourism or business. Starting in 2026, travelers will need to apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) authorization before entering Portugal.
5. Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is highly recommended for Portugal travel. Coverage should include medical expenses, emergency evacuation, trip cancellations, and trip interruptions.
6. Electricity & Power Usage: Portugal uses Type C and F plugs with a 230V / 50Hz electrical system. Travelers from the U.S. will need a plug adapter and possibly a voltage converter for their devices.
Essential Travel Information for Spain | Spain Travel Tips
1. Language: The official language of Spain is Spanish (Castilian). English is widely spoken in major tourist destinations, hotels, restaurants, and attractions, particularly in Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands, though learning a few Spanish phrases is appreciated.
2. Currency: Spain uses the Euro (€) as its official currency. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but carrying some cash is useful for small cafés, tapas bars, local markets, and rural areas.
3. Passport Validity: Your U.S. passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended stay in Spain. For added security, it’s recommended to have six months of passport validity.
4. Visa Requirement:s U.S. citizens do not need a visa for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period for tourism or business. Starting in 2026, travelers will need to apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) authorization before entering Spain.
5. Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is highly recommended for Spain travel. Coverage should include medical expenses, emergency evacuation, trip cancellations, and trip interruptions, ensuring peace of mind during your Spain vacation.
6. Electricity & Power Usage: Spain uses Type C and F plugs with a 230V / 50Hz electrical system. Travelers from the U.S. will need a plug adapter and possibly a voltage converter for their devices.
