Travel insurance when visiting Portugal
What Canadian travellers need to know before going to Portugal
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At a glance
- World Nomads offers four travel insurance plans for your trip to Portugal. Plans range from standard to higher-limit protections.
- Coverage may apply to popular activities in Portugal like surfing, cycling and hiking.
- Policies for Canadians include protection for medical emergencies, trip cancellations and lost luggage.
Portugal is a compact, easy-to-explore country where a laid-back lifestyle, strong café culture and great food add to the appeal for Canadians. Lisbon is rich in history, with centuries-old neighbourhoods, cobblestone streets and historic trams weaving through the city’s hilltop districts. Head north to Porto for port wine cellars and riverside walks along the Douro, or venture inland to the Douro Valley, where terraced vineyards follow the contours of the hills. Further south, the Algarve golden cliffs and surf beaches are a magnet for travellers, while lesser-known regions like Alentejo offer wide-open landscapes, whitewashed villages and a slower pace. A smooth trip starts with smart planning, so be sure to choose the right cover before you leave home.
Plan Comparisons
Choosing the right travel insurance coverage depends on your trip type and planned activities. Each of our four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – offers different coverages and benefit maximums.
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
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Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Covering the basics for your trip to Portugal. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Get a quote |
Travel insurance for adventure activities in Portugal
Portugal’s coastline and more rugged inland regions are made for getting active outdoors. Surfing is a major draw, with consistent waves along the Atlantic coast from Ericeira, a World Surfing Reserve, to the beaches around Peniche and Nazaré. Portugal is a standout destination for hiking, with the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail considered one of the best in Europe. Cycling is another highlight, whether you’re riding through the Douro Valley’s vineyard-covered hills or along coastal routes. Canyoning and coasteering are popular in Madeira and the Azores, while rafting and canoeing offer a different way to explore Portugal’s rivers.
Coverage for 250 activities you love + more
Common insurance considerations for Portugal
Trip interruption
No matter how good of a time you’re having in Portugal, things can happen that mean you have to end your trip early or you’re unable to participate in your full planned itinerary. If you get severely injured or sick while you're travelling, or you get a call from back home and learn that an immediate family member has unexpectedly passed away, you may not be able to complete the rest of your planned trip. World Nomads offers trip interruption coverage that may help you get reimbursed for prepaid, non-refundable travel costs if your plans change for a covered reason.
Accidents and emergencies
No one likes imagining the worst, but if you do get seriously sick or have an accident that sends you to hospital, you’ll be glad you purchased travel insurance before you left home. Stayed out too long in the sun on the Algarve and needed medical attention? Had an accident hiking in Madeira? Ate some seafood past its prime and came down with a nasty bout of food poisoning? Emergency assistance is a phone call away.
Trip Cancellation
The best trips are often the ones you’ve planned months in advance, but you can’t predict the future and unexpected situations can sometimes happen before you even set off. Trip cancellation coverage is included in all single-trip and annual travel insurance plans offered by World Nomads and gives you the opportunity to cancel your trip before you depart – but only for covered reasons. Optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to cancel for any reason that’s not otherwise covered by your plan. Broke up with your partner? You can cancel your trip. Sick dog? You can stay home to care for your fur baby. Change your mind about travelling? There’s no judgment here. Just make sure you purchase Cancel For Any Reason insurance cover within 15 days of making your first trip payment (like booking a hotel or flight).
Missing luggage
Nothing gets a trip off to a rocky start quite like arriving in Portugal without your bags. If your checked luggage is lost or delayed, travel insurance benefits may help reimburse you for lost items. Keep original receipts for any personal items you buy – like a toothbrush, medication or a change of clothes. The first step is always to report missing luggage to your carrier and check what compensation they may provide.
Tips for travelling to Portugal
- Travel outside peak season (June to September) and venture beyond the main cities to experience a different side of Portugal
- Summer temperatures can be high, particularly inland, so plan outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon and stay hydrated
- Be mindful of pickpocketing in busy areas, especially in Lisbon and Porto
- Take care when swimming as Atlantic currents can be strong along some beaches. Swim in designated, lifeguard-patrolled areas.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for Portugal. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Do Canadians need a visa to visit Portugal?
Canadians don’t need a visa for short stays in Portugal (up to 90 days within a 180-day period), but must apply for ETIAS authorisation before arrival. Requirements can change, so check current advice before you travel.
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What is the best time to visit Portugal?
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) offer mild weather and fewer crowds. Summer is popular but can be hot, especially inland.
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Can I drink tap water in Portugal?
Yes, tap water is safe to drink across Portugal.
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Do I need travel insurance for Portugal?
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended. Cover for accidents, medical emergencies, cancellations, delays and lost luggage can help protect you against unexpected costs. Whether you’re in a major city or off adventuring in a more remote location, it’s reassuring to know you can get the help you need – especially when it comes to an accident or sudden illness.
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Is Portugal safe for tourists?
Portugal is considered one of the safest countries in Europe. Petty theft can occur in busy areas, so stay aware of your surroundings and keep valuables secure. Check Canadian government advice before travelling and consider travel insurance.
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How do I make a travel insurance claim?
You can make a claim online 24/7. Have your documents and receipts handy to upload, and get started. If you get stuck, you can call us collect on +1 416 646 3723 or send an email to worldnomads@travelguard.com and we will assist you with your claim.
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What do I do if I need emergency assistance?
No matter where you are in the world, our 24/7 Emergency Assistance partners at Travel Guard are ready to help – 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Whether it’s a medical emergency, stolen gear, missing bags, or a natural disaster, they’re the first call to make. Need a translator? They can help with that too.
When you call, you’ll be asked if you are experiencing a travel emergency. If you are having a medical emergency, you’ll be connected with Emergency Assistance right away. If your situation is not urgent and you are calling outside of normal business hours, you’ll be able to leave a message and be called back.
The contact information for medical emergency assistance is:
Phone: +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.); or
Phone: +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Expenses
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transportation
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
- Trip Cancellation or Interruption
- 24-Hour Assistance Services
- Baggage
- And more (depending on your country of residence)
Travel and positive community impact
How travel insurance can help have a positive impact on communities.
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- How does World Nomads travel insurance help communities abroad?
- Your travel insurance can help fund many projects
- Why should I consider travel insurance for my next holiday?
- How you can be a responsible traveler?
- FAQs for responsible travel
Travel can open our minds and teach us about destinations often far removed from our own. Just like you, as a team of global adventurers, the World Nomads team knows that as thrilling as a vacation abroad can be, our choices, if they are considered, can influence more than just ourselves.
How does World Nomads travel insurance help communities abroad?
As well as travel insurance, World Nomads offers travelers the opportunity to help fund community development projects via micro donations through the Footprints Network.
When purchasing a policy with us, you can choose to add a small donation to the price, with 100 percent of the funds raised going directly to more than 240 reputable charities and NGOs, including Save the Children, The Fred Hollows Foundation and SURFAID, to name just a few.
Since launching the initiative, the World Nomads Footprints program has raised AUD$5.8million, thanks to the generosity of over 1 million travelers.
Each of the projects we support has a focus on ending poverty, protecting the planet and/or making a global shift toward sustainability and resilience, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Your travel insurance can help fund many projects
By purchasing travel insurance, you can help support global communities through the World Nomads Footprints program in the following areas:
- Community development
- Wildlife protection
- Women's safety initiatives
- Global health projects
To contribute, simply get a travel insurance quote for your trip. When you get a travel insurance quote, you have the option to make a micro donation. Then all you need to do is enjoy your travels knowing you are making a difference. You can also keep in touch with us so you can see what project you have helped to fund.
Why should I consider travel insurance for my next holiday?*
You wouldn’t go on a vacation without taking your passport, right? You wouldn’t get very far. The same goes for travel insurance; it’s something you should consider when getting ready to go on a holiday overseas.
We all know that as organized as you might be, not everything always goes to plan when you’re venturing abroad – items get lost in transit, flights can be canceled and delayed, and injuries and illness can occur.
A travel insurance plan may be able to help, and if you’re a seasoned traveler you’ll know that not only is it inconvenient to have to deal with any of the above, these hiccups can prove costly, especially in another country.
At World Nomads, we offer different levels of cover depending on your country of residence and on the plan and options you select. It’s important you consider exactly what you’ll be doing, where you’ll be going, and what type of vacation you’re planning before choosing a plan, as there are differences.
* Travel insurance isn't designed to cover everything. Full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions do apply, so be sure to read your full policy wording to avoid surprises. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
Simple and flexible travel insurance
You can buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world. With 150+ adventure activities covered and 24/7 emergency assistance.
Get a quoteHow you can be a responsible traveler?
If you are traveling soon and unsure what you can do to give back to the planet, here are just some ways you can make a difference:
- Social enterprise: while on your travels, seek out a social enterprise that assists the local community, for example, in Zambia the markets at Victoria Falls sell locally made goods, the money you spend goes back into the local community.
- Ethical eating: try to eat seasonal, local, organic wholefoods based around local traditions rather than ‘Western-style’. Ethical tours should also include plant-based meal options to encourage planet-friendly eating.
- Small groups: small group tours, with an average of 10 people, help us travel more responsibly. By interacting on a personal level with the people and places we visit, we’re more likely to understand the issues affecting these places and how we can help.
- Carbon offsets: have you considered whether your trip includes carbon offsets? Two global adventure tour companies now offering this option are World Expeditions and Intrepid Travel, which has also been carbon neutral since 2010.
- Be an infrequent flier, choose slow travel instead: flying less often is the best choice you can make. Could you travel using another mode of transport? And could you commit to using low-impact forms of transport once you reach your destination to offset the emissions from your flight?
How can I give back when I buy my travel insurance?
Learn more about how you can give back to the places you visit with a small donation by watching this video.
This is only a summary of cover and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy. You should read your policy wording in full, so you understand what is and isn’t covered. That way there won’t be any surprises if you need to use it. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about responsible travel and travel insurance. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team.
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Why should I consider travel insurance for an overseas trip?
Even well-planned trips can go sideways. Lost bags, cancelled flights, illness overseas—travel insurance may help you deal with the unexpected so you can keep exploring.
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Can I donate to Footprints when I buy a travel insurance plan?
Yes! Just tick the box to add a donation when purchasing. You'll be part of a global movement supporting causes that matter.
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What if I’m doing adventure activities and other sports?
If you’re into the more intense adventure activities, for example you plan to go skiing and snowboarding, mountain biking downhill, or rock climbing (outdoor), you’ll need to upgrade your cover and pay an additional premium. Please note that once you have purchased a particular level of cover, it can’t be altered mid-trip.
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Is my donation tax deductible?
Footprints donations are not tax deductible—but 100% of your donation goes to the charity project you’ve helped fund.
Teeth hit the ground
I put my foot in a funny way while I was walking quickly because it was raining. I fell unexpectedly to the floor, face first, so I put my arm out, broke the shoulder and my front teeth hit the ground breaking a tooth.
P.R. Italian Nomad.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Been made redundant?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Expenses
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transportation
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medivac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Luggage lost?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Tech trashed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
- Trip Cancellation or Interruption
- 24-Hour Assistance Services
- Baggage
- And more (depending on your country of residence)
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams 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?
Contact the teamTravel Insurance for High-intensity Sports
What you need to know if you plan on doing some of the more adventurous sports on your next trip.
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- What's covered for high-intensity and adventure activities?
- Questions to ask if you’re planning some higher-level sports and adventure activities while abroad
- What are some higher-level activities & sports that I can be covered for?
- Take your adventure activity and sports cover to the next level
So you love your high intensity sports and have plenty of adventurous plans for your trip abroad, and while you might know your own limits when it comes to adventure, you may not know that your travel insurance cover has limits.
Don’t get us wrong, we love to take things up a notch when hitting the great outdoors and really experiencing it which is why some of our plans offer cover for many popular adventure sports including rock climbing, scuba diving and skiing, but there’s plenty we don’t cover and limits and exclusions may apply.
What’s covered for high-intensity and adventure activities?
If you plan to add high-intensity sports and activities to your trip abroad, then travel insurance should be on your to-do list of things to consider when packing for your next trip. If you have several activities prepared when on the mountain, in the water, or at the snow, you may want to check out our plans to see which one fits your needs the most.
Not getting it right the first time could mean you may not be covered, for example, for medical evacuation and repatriation, and you may end up with a big medical bill.
We have two policies to choose from – Standard and Explorer.
While both plans cover a wide range of sports and activities, activity terms and conditions can vary between them. If you want to take your adventure sport to the next level, you’ll want to consider the Explorer Plan. The Explorer Plan has more generous activity conditions and limits than the Standard Plan. You can get a quote, make a claim, or extend your policy instantly online, even while traveling.
Note: all travel insurance plans are different, and cover will vary, depending on what's happened, your Country of Residence, the plan you choose and any options or upgrades you buy.
Questions to ask if you’re planning some higher-level sports and adventure activities while abroad
- What kind of high-level adventure activities will I be doing on holiday?
- What activities are my travel buddies planning?
- Do I have the right gear, equipment and qualifications for that activity or sport?
- What cover do the two different plans offer for these activities?
- Am I fit enough to be able to undertake the planned sports, activities and experiences?
- Are there any special exclusions or conditions of cover that may stop me from doing a specific sport or activity?
- What exclusions might apply?
What are some higher-level activities & sports that I can be covered for?
Depending on your country of residence and which plan you’ve selected you may be covered for some of the following sports and activities:
- Big-wave surfing
- Zorbing
- Shark-cage diving
- Parachuting
- Mountaineering to 6,000 metres (with ropes, picks or specialist climbing equipment)
- Triathlon up to full distance
- Mountain biking downhill (using downhill trails and/or mechanical lifts)
- White-water rafting (Grades 1 - 5)
- Skydiving / tandem skydiving
- Base jumping
And many more that you can find under our coverage plans…
The activities and sports listed below are not covered under any of World Nomads policies:
- Bull running
- Martial arts competitions
- Potholing and caving
- Cliff diving, solo diving, cave diving and free diving
- Motor sports
- Stunt flying/aerobatics
- Taking part in dangerous expeditions; mountaineering expeditions or expeditions to the Arctic or Antarctica
- Crewing of a vessel more than 60 mi (96km) from a protected body of water.
Please be aware that while we cover more than 150 activities, sports and experiences some may not be available under your specific coverage plan. Additionally, there are some we don’t cover under any of our policies. Some key things that we don’t cover include:
- If you go against local authority warnings or enter closed or restricted areas or places or situations known to be unsafe or dangerous.
- Damage to any sporting equipment while in use; loss, damage or theft of any sporting equipment left unattended.
- Taking part in dangerous expeditions; mountaineering expeditions or expeditions to remote and inaccessible regions of the Arctic, Antarctica or Greenland, unless approved by us
- Work offshore or underground, including in caves
- Work operating machinery or heavy/industrial equipment
- Work at height without proper safety equipment. Work at height is further restricted to a maximum of two metres
- Work in close proximity to dangerous animals including, for example, hippopotami, crocodiles, alligators, sharks, elephants, bears, big cats and deadly snakes.
Take your adventure activity and sports cover to the next level
Depending on your country of residence you will have access to several of our activities or sports that are listed on multiple levels (from Level 1 to Level 4). This is to reflect the varying degrees of difficulty or intensity.
Cover is automatically provided on the Standard Plan and Explorer Plan when you participate in Level 1 adventure sports and activities overseas. You can upgrade your cover for a range of other activities and experiences and manual work if you select the activities (listed as Level 2, 3 and 4) and pay any required additional premium at the time you purchase your policy as follows:
- If you have paid the required additional premium for a sport or activity in Level 2, you are covered for all sports and activities and work listed as Level 1 and 2.
- If you have paid the additional premium for a sport or activity in Level 3, you will be covered for all sports, activities and work listed as Level 1, 2 and 3.
- If you have paid the additional premium for a sport or activity in Level 4, you will be covered for all sports, activities and work listed as Level 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Always check before you go that you have the right level of cover for your desired activities, as you cannot add any sports or activities after your trip has begun. Also, you can’t upgrade from a Standard Plan to an Explorer Plan mid-trip.
Read your policy carefully, and also check out our adventure, sports activities Help Centre article. Just set your country of residence and check out the complete list of covered activities, and sports. If you are still unsure if you’re chosen sport or activity is covered, please get in touch.
About World Nomads
World Nomads polices are designed by travelers for travelers to provide simple and flexible travel insurance. Featuring coverage for more than 150 activities, you can get a quote, claim, or extend your policy online at www.worldnomads.com. All the information we provide about travel insurance is a brief summary 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 countries, states or provinces. Please carefully read your policy wording for a full description of coverage.
You’re in safe hands with World Nomads
Check out our true claims video below to get a behind the scenes glimpse of how we help travelers when something goes wrong.
Travel insurance tip: many travel insurance policies cover white water rafting and kayaking, for example, but Class 6, Extreme and Exploratory Rapids, aren’t covered. Read the policy wording carefully to choose the right plan and/or adventure sport option for your trip. Your policy may have special terms, conditions and specific exclusions and conditions for some activities. .
Experiencing a Medical Emergency?
Our Emergency Assistance Team helps take the stress out of already stressful situations and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
If you're experiencing a medical emergency, contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team who can help direct you to medical help, and if necessary, work with local authorities to repatriate you home, subject to the terms and conditions of your policy.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Expenses
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transportation
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medivac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
- Trip Cancellation or Interruption
- 24-Hour Assistance Services
- Baggage
- And more (depending on your country of residence)
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams 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?
Contact the team
