The document provides information about various utilities and services needed for daily life in Portugal, including how to buy a car and get insurance, how to get a cellphone and internet access, details on electricity, gas, and water services, Portuguese social security and emergency numbers, how to open a bank account, and how to use Multibanco ATMs. It also includes terminology guides to help with translations.

1. CONTENT
HOW TO BUY A CAR AND INSURE IT IN PORTUGAL
HOW TO BUY A CAR
BUYING AND SELLING A SECOND HAND CAR
WHERE TO FIND A SECOND HAND CAR
TRANSFER OF OWNERHIP
REGISTERING THE NEW OWNER
CAR INSURANCE
TYPES OF INSURANCE
IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT
USEFUL VOCABULARY
HOW TO BUY A CELLPHONE IN PORTUGAL
MOBILE TELEPHONE PROVIDERS
HOW TO SIGN UP FOR A MOBILE TELEPHONE
HOT TO ADD CREDIT TO A MOBILE TELEPHONE
HOW TO GET ACCESS TO INTERNET
INTERNET PROVIDERS
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE INTERNET IN PORTUGAL
HOW TO CANCEL NA INTERNET CONTRACT
SOME INFORMATION ABOUT UTILITIES
ELECTRICITY
METER-READING, BILL PAYING AND DISCONNECTION
GAS
BOTTLED GAS
WATER
CONTACT NUMBERS

2. PORTUGUESE SOCIAL SECURITY
HEALTHCARE COVERAGE
CASCAIS EMERGENCY SERVICES AND USEFUL NUMBERS
PHARMACIES
BANK ACCOUNT
BANCO ESPIRÍTO SANTO – BES
OPENING HOURS
BANKING TERMINOLOGY GUIDE
MULTIBANCO AND HOW TO USE IT
WHAT TO DO AT THE ATM MACHINE
PAYING BILLS VIA THE ATM MACHINES
SECURITY FEATURES
GLOSSARY OF MULTIBANCO TERMINOLOGY

3. HOW TO BUY A CAR AND INSURE IT IN PORTUGAL

4. HOW TO BUY A CAR
The Government Traffic Department, Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes
Terrestres, IMTT (previously the DGV) deals with all aspects of car ownership,
registration and licensing.
The Institute of Registration and Notaries (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado,
IRN) provides civil registry offices where citizens take care of many
administrative matters, including vehicle registration.
Vehicle registration forms and information may be downloaded from the Registo
de Veículos section of the IRN website. Registration may be completed online.
Note that most of the websites and documentation needed are in Portuguese.
For those who don't speak Portuguese, staff at the Citizens Shops (
Loja do Cidadão) can help with all matters concerning vehicles and registration.

5. Buying and Selling a Second Hand Car
Buying a second hand or used car (de segunda mão/usado) in Portugal is
generally more expensive than in other European Union countries. There are
several reasons for this, including the fact that higher taxes on purchases
means that new cars tend to hold their value better than they do in other
countries.
A foreigner may buy a Portuguese-registered car in Portugal provided they have
at least one of the following documents:
• An official Residence Permit (Cartão de Residência) or
• Proof that they are a Portuguese home owner (by showing title deeds) or
• A rental contract for a minimum duration of one year.

6. Where to find a second hand car
 Used cars for sale are available through dealerships, or may be advertised
in automobile magazines, such as:
 Guia Automóvel (monthly)
• Auto-Hoje (weekly)
• Auto-Comércio (monthly)
 Newspapers also carry motor classified advertisements:
• Auto Ocasião
• Correio da Manha
• Diário de Noticias
• Jornal de Noticias

7.  Online publications:
• Automóveis.pt
• Standvirtual
• Carplus
• Matrizauto
When scrolling down online publications look for words such as
“classificados” (classifieds) and then “automóveis” or “carros” (cars). The
site may specify new cars (novos) or second hand cars (usados).
 There are also two Internet auction sites (Leilões) in the Lisbon area
which deal in cars:
• Mega Leilões
• Miau(Portuguese ebay-type site)

8. Transfer of ownership
It is the seller's responsibility to provide the form for the registration of
the change of ownership (Transferência de Propriedade or Contrato verbal
de compra e venda). This Form 2 (Modelo 2), available from the IRN,
contains information about the vehicle, the previous owner and the new
owner. At the point of sale it should be completed and signed by both the
buyer and the seller.
It is the buyer's responsibility to register the change of ownership at the
local IRN vehicle registration department (Instituto dos Registos e do
Notariado) within 30 days of purchase.

9. At the point of sale the seller should provide the following:
• The transfer of ownership Form 2 for completion and signing;
• The vehicle's registration papers:
(This will either be a DUA All-In-One Vehicle Document (Documento
Único Automóvel) also called license plate certificate (Certificado de
Matrícula) or two documents:
vehicle registration document (Título de Registo de Propriedade)
log book (Livrete)
• Proof of roadworthiness: a valid IPO (Inspecção Periódica Obrigatória) test
certificate ;
• Green Technical Inspection card/certificate (Calendário das Inspecções
Técnicas de Veículo, also called: Carta Inspecção Técnica Periódica) which
details the vehicle's inspection history and when the next inspection is due;
• Owner's Municipal Vehicle Tax Contribution (Imposto Municipal de Veiculo)
documents or card as proof of paid up vehicle tax.
Note: The DUA document of more recently registered vehicles incorporates
the information previously kept in three separate documents.

10. Registering the new owner
A foreign buyer will need to provide the following documents when registering the
vehicle at the IRN office:
• Proof of residence in Portugal as outlined above (proof by means of residence
card, property title deeds or rental contract);
• Proof of vehicle roadworthiness (the IPO test certificate) provided by the seller;
• The vehicle registration papers provided by the seller;
• Proof of up-to-date payments of vehicle tax (Imposto Municipal de Veículos)
provided by the seller;
• A registration fee.
Note: The registration of transfer of ownership of a used vehicle bought from a
dealership will be handled by the dealer who should also provide a warranty
and service history.
If, following the process above, the buyer does not submit the change of
ownership documents to the IRN vehicle registration department, responsibility
for all fines or accidents involving the vehicle remain the responsibility of the
seller. It is strongly advised to confirm that the buyer has completed the
transfer process.

11. CAR INSURANCE
All vehicles must have at least third party insurance. Proof of insurance
must be carried at all times. There are penalties for drivers of vehicles
without valid insurance.
Types of Insurance
Most insurance companies offer specific packages aimed at social/age
groups such as:
• Young people (Jovens);
• University students (Universitários);
• Drivers abroad (Portugueses no Estrangeiro) (usually gives 30-day
extendable cover for any Portuguese driver or foreigner with a
Portuguese Residency Card);
• Senior Citizens (Seniores).

12. The premium depends on various factors such as the model of car, its power
and its age (matricula), as well as the age and driving history of the driver.
The driver's occupation and residential area are also taken into account.
Portuguese car insurances have a system of No-Claims Bonus (Prémio Bonus
Malus) for good drivers who haven't had an accident for three years from the
beginning of the time when they start their policy. How it operates depends
on the type of insurance taken out and how much is paid but it can offer
discounts of between 20 and 45 percent on some policies.
According to Portuguese law, there should be no difference in the cost of
insuring left or right hand vehicles in Portugal.
•The most basic car insurance required under Portuguese law is called
Responsabilidade Civil Obrigatória. It provides cover against an accident with
a second and third party

13. b. Responsabilidade Civil Facultativa Juridica is a more comprehensive
package that provides cover against accidents with other vehicles and any
legal fees accrued through litigation;
c. Fully comprehensive insurance (Seguro Contra Todos) covers virtually
everything;
d. Dívida Segura provides cover in case of an accident which results in
death or permanent invalidity on either side;
e. Assistência em Viagem covers loss of keys (Perda das Chaves),
punctures (Furo de Pneus), breakdowns (Avaria), broken windows etc. ;
f. Professional driver insurance (Condutor Profissional) is aimed at those
whose livelihoods depend on driving and protects in case of the physical
incapacity of the driver to drive;
g. It is also possible to get insurance for damage or loss of personal goods
(Danos Próprios).

14. In the Event of an Accident
In the event of an accident the claim form needs to be sent to the insurance
company within two to seven days depending on the company.
In the case of a car accident which does not require the intervention of the
police, fill out an insurance form (usually in the insurance documents policy
wallet) called a DAAA or Declaração Amigável (Friendly Agreement). This is
straightforward and is completed and signed by both parties and forwarded
to each one's insurer.
Otherwise fill out the Folheto Participação de Sinistro (Não Amigável)
(Non-Friendly Accident Claim Form) and forward to the insurer. Most
insurance companies have an 800 Blue Line telephone number to call
immediately after an accident, whereupon they will be able to advise on the
necessary steps to take.

15. Useful Vocabulary
Portuguese terminology useful for understanding insurance policies
Portuguese English
Quebra Vidros Shattered or cracked windscreen/windows
Choque, Colisão e Capotamento (CCC) Collision, Accident and Roll-over
Incêndio, Raio e Explosão Fire, Lightning, Explosion
Furto ou Roubo Theft and/or Break in
Riscos Sociais Social Risks
Fenómenos da Natureza Natural Hazards
Veículos de Aluguer Rental Vehicles
Veículo Novo New Vehicle
Despesas de Tratamento Handling expenses
Incapacidade Temporária Temporary incapacity
Absoluta por Internamento Hospitalar Hospital Coverage
Morte e Invalidez Permanente Death and Permanent Invalidity
Protecção Ocupantes Occupant Protection

16. HOW TO BUY A CELLPHONE IN PORTUGAL

17. Mobile Telephone Providers
There are three main mobile telephone operators in Portugal:
TMN (Part of Portugal Telecom Multimedia)
Optimus
Vodafone

18. How to sign up for a mobile telephone
Mobile telephones are offered on contract and as pay-as-you-go. It is
possible to sign up at a mobile providers shop or online.
For pay-as-you-go services only personal details (name and address) are
required;
for a contract the following is necessary:
• Passport or Identity Card (Passaporte/Bilhete de Identidade)
Proof of address (either a utility bill or a Residency Card) (Cartão de
Residência);
• Tax number (Número de Contribuinte);
• Telephone details ;
• Fill out a form and/or a member of the phone company staff will
enter the details into a computer data base

19. How to add credit to a mobile telephone
A phone card with a reference number is issued when a phone is purchased.
Pay-as-you-go telephones can be topped up directly from a bank account at the
ATM Multibanco system:
 Select Telemóveis and then one of the three companies TMN, Optimus, or
Vodaphone ;
 Select Carregamento Cartões ;
 Key in the Mulibanco Reference Number (Referência Multibanco) on the
phone card card (the one without the 91/93/96 prefix);
 Key in the quantity to be credited in Euros (Montante);
 Press Confirmar (Confirm).
It is also possible to put credit on a mobile phone at one of the many mobile
phone shops which accept cash and payment via Multibanco direct debit
cards.

20. HOW TO GET ACCESS TO INTERNET

21. Internet Providers
There are a number of Fibre Optic, ADSL broadband, cable and wireless Internet
brands in the Portuguese market. They are:
• ZON: TV cable company TV Cabo
• Meo: Part of the Portugal Telecom PT Multimeida Group
• Sapo: Part of the Portugal Telecom PT Multimedia Group
• Telepac: Also part of Portugal Telecom
• Claranet
• Vodafone
• Cabovisão
• ARTelecom
 Broadband Wireless
PT WiFi is a wireless Internet service from Portugal Telecom aimed at laptops. It
has over 850 Hotspots in key places such as business centers, hotels,
conference and congress centers, shopping centers and airports allowing
access online.
Optimus
Vodafone
TMN
Zapp

22. How to subscribe to the Internet in Portugal
Only residents can subscribe to an Internet service in Portugal. It is
necessary to fill out a subscription form (Formulário de Adesão) and sign
a contract.
The client is given a username and password.
Internet companies require all of the following documents:
• Full Name (Nome de Titular);
• Permanent/Temporary Address (Morada);
• Tax Number (Número de Contribuinte –NIF);
• Proof of Residency from utility bills or Residency Card (Cartão de
Residência/Comprovativo de Morada);
• Passport or ID Card (Passaporte/Bilhete de Identidade);
• Telephone contact (Contacto de Telefone)

23. How to cancel an internet contract
Internet service contracts may be cancelled by sending a letter or e-
mail to the company providing:
• Full Name
• User Name
• ADSL telephone number
• Tax Number
• Address
• Telephone contact
The service will usually be cancelled one month after notification.

24. SOME INFORMATION ABOUT UTILITIES
ELECTRICITY

25. Electricity
The national electricity company in Portugal is EDP (Energias de Portugal
SA).
Electrical Emergency - Tel: 800 506 506
Portugal operates a power rating system (Potência Instalada) where a
household or the electricity company calculates its average usage and the
supply is based on this.
It is possible to alter the power supply for different times of the day to pay
reduced tariffs at night, between midnight and 09:00, but it is necessary to
ask for this service as it is not made available automatically.

26. Meter-reading, bill paying and disconnection
EDP sends out an estimated bill (factura) every two months, however it is possible to
pay monthly by direct debit with the Conta Certa EDP. The meters are read once a
year and adjusted bills are sent out. The bill will show the account number (Número
de Conta), the amount due (Valor Pagável) and the date it should be paid by (Pagável
até).
Bills can generally be paid for via the Multibanco ATM cash and payment machines,
in the post office (Correios de Portugal) by crossed cheque to the address on the back
of the bill or by direct debit payment from a bank account.
Meter Reading (Leitura do Contador) - Tel: 800 507 507
Some new apartment blocks are furnished with a remote electronic counter which
enables EDP to measure the usage remotely. It also means that the electricity supply
can be disconnected remotely when an overdue bill remains unpaid. Before complete
disconnection, the amount of electricity supplied is reduced for a period to enable
payment before complete disconnection. During this reduced power period, the
supply trips out when larger appliances are used. There is a reconnection fee to re-
establish normal supply once the bill has been paid and this is charged on the next bill.

27. GAS

28. Gas (gás)
The gas market in Portugal is currently a regulated monopoly and
consumers have the choice of only one provider – Galp Energia. The
rental agency or real estate agent can provide local contacts.
Gas leak (Fuga de Gás) - Tel: 800 201 722
Gas is widely used for heating, water heating and cooking appliances in
Portugal although apart from in newer houses and apartments, gas or
oil central heating is rare and expensive to install.
Gas is available in the following forms:
• Mains gas (Gás Domicilio)
• Bottled gas (Botijas/Garrafas)

29. When moving in, the property owner should contact Galp Energia to
have a contract drawn up.
Tel: 800 206 009
Alternatively it can be arranged at the same time as the electricity
contract is drawn up at a Loja do Cidadão.
An appointment will be made to have the meter read and the gas
turned on by a Gas Technician (Técnico Credenciado do Gás).

30. Bottled Gas
Bottled gas (Botijas de Gás or Gás em garrafa) is most commonly butane
gas (although propane is available). It can be bought in small quantities
(usually 10, 15 or 20 kilograms) in bottles and is usually kept in the
kitchen under the sink. Bottled gas is also often used in gas-type heaters
in the winter in houses without central heating, but may also be used to
heat water.
Typically a deposit, in addition to the price of gas, will be paid to the local
supplier (supermarket, petrol station) for the first bottle bought.
Following that, the empty bottle can simply be exchanged when paying
for a full one. Some gas suppliers do deliveries.

31. WATER

32. Water (Água)
Águas de Portual provides the names and contact information of
local water boards in Portugal.
Water cuts (Falta de Água) - Tel: 800 222 425
Burst pipes (Roturas) - Tel: 800 201 600
Mains water supply is limited to a fixed, metered amount per
household and an annual consumption which exceeds the limit must
be paid for.
Water is usually billed monthly with an estimate. When the meter is
read, an adjusted bill is sent (reposição). At this point it is
recommended to take the reading to make sure the figures are
correct.
Meter Reading (Leituras) - Tel: 800 201 101

33. Problems with your telephone, water, electricity or gas? Find the
contact numbers for the main utility services in Lisbon area :
Water
Águas de Portugal (ADP) Emergencies (burst mains pipes) Tel: 800 201 600
Water Cuts Tel: 800 222 425
Customer services Tel: 213 221 111
Meter reading Tel: 800 201 101
Emergencies Tel: 214 838 325
Emergencies Tel: 214 986 620
Emergencies (24 hours) Tel: 800 506 506
Customer services Tel: 800 505 505
Emergencies (Gas leak) (24 hours) Tel: 800 201 722
Customer services Tel: 800 206 009

34. PORTUGUESE SOCIAL SECURITY

35. The social security system has three basic schemes:
3. A contributory scheme for employed individuals and their families (for
sickness, birth/adoption, disability, retirement, unemployment, death,
work-related accidents or illness);
5. A contributory scheme for self-employed individuals (for birth/adoption,
disability, retirement, death; optional coverage for family as well as illness
and work-related illness);
7. A non-contributory scheme for those who do not meet the minimum
income requirements to belong to either of the first two schemes (for
disability, retirement, death and family).
All individuals registered for social security coverage are also covered for
healthcare in Portugal. All healthcare benefits are administered by the
Ministry of Health (Ministério da Saúde) while social security benefits
(pensions, disability, maternity/paternity benefit, etc.) are administered
by the Social Security Institute(Instituto da Solidariedade e da Segurança
Social).

36. Contributions are made by both employer and employee. Employer
contributions cover work-related accidents and occupational illness. The
Portuguese government pays for healthcare coverage while the employee
pays for other benefits including maternity, old-age pensions and disability.
Healthcare Coverage
Once an individual begins working in Portugal and is registered with social
security, they are automatically registered for healthcare coverage.
Deductions for coverage are automatically taken from their pay and a
healthcare number is issued by the local Ministry of Health. This healthcare
number is called the card Cartão do Utente (user service card).
Visits to doctors and dentists at medical centres (Centros de Saúde) and
hospitals (Hospitais Públicos) affiliated with the Ministry of Health are
virtually free under the system. A small charge is paid for some doctor
appointments and treatments under a modest patient co-participation
introduced a few years ago. The cost of necessary medication is partially
covered, though pharmaceuticals deemed non-essential are not covered.

37. Cascais Emergency Services & Useful Numbers
Police
Security Police (PSP) Cascais Tel: 214 839 100
At: Rua Afonso Sanches Nº 29, 2750 Cascais
Security Police PSP Estoril Tel: 214 681 396
At: Avenida de Portugal Nº 423, 2765 Estoril
Maritime Police (Polícia Marítima Cascais) Tel: 214 864 500
Fire Services
Cascais Tel: 214 828 400
Estoril Tel: 214 680 189
Hospitals
Centro Ortopédico de Sant'Ana Tel: 214 855 600
At: Rua de Benguela, 2779-501 Parede
Hospital Central Ortopédico Dr. José de Almeida Tel: 214 568 600
At: Rua de Luanda, 27779-502 Carcavelos
Hospital de Cascais Dr. José de Almeida Tel: 214 653 000
At: Av. Brigadeiro Victor Novais Gonçalves, 2755-009 Alcabideche
Clinica CUF Cascais Tel: 211 141 400
At: Rua Fernão Lopes 60, 2750-663 Cascais

38. Pharmacies
In general, pharmacies are open from 09:00-13:00 and 15:00-19:00.
Each pharmacy will have a sign in the window showing the address
of the nearest all-night pharmacy and a list of pharmacies that close
late (22:00).

39. BANK ACCOUNT

40. Banco Espírito Santo (BES)
Your account manager is Mr. David Leite
david.leite@bes.pt
Av. 25 de Abril, 184 A Edifício Grei
2750-511 Cascais
Phone : 21 883-4652
Fax: 21 883-4939
Mobile: 96 214 3851
Opening Hours
Portuguese banks are open from 08:30-15:00 Monday to Friday.
They typically are open-plan with a central counter (Balcão) and a
number of staff.

41. Banking Terminology Guide
English Portuguese
Bank balance Saldo da conta
Withdrawal Levantamento
To withdraw money Levantar dinheiro
To deposit money Depositar dinheiro
To order (cheques) Requisitar cheques
Cards Cartões
To check a balance/movements Consultar saldo/movimento
Interbank transfer Transferência interbancária
Payment Pagamento(s)
Buying Compras
Selling Vendas
ATM Balance slip Talão
Bank statement Extracto da conta/agenda mensal
Savings account Conta poupança
Current account Conta à ordem
Shares Acções
Interest Juros
Branch Sucursal
Counter Balcão
Client desk Atendimentos
Mortgage Credito de habitação
Head office Sede

42. MULTIBANCO AND HOW TO USE IT

43. Portugal's Multibanco System is a sophisticated system of Automatic Teller Machines (ATM).
SIBS (Sociedade Interbancária de Serviços SA), the company behind Multibanco, launched the
network in September 1985 and currently over 11,000 machines are available throughout
Portugal, in banks, supermarkets, shopping malls, stations, museums and airports.
The Multibanco system has more functionalities than ATMs in other countries, the services
offered include:
•Pay utility bills (electricity, gas and water)
•Pay services and purchases
•Buy tickets for concerts and shows
•Buy cinema tickets
•Make cash withdrawals
•Deposit cheques (in some machines)
•Order cheques (in some machines)
•Deposit cash (in some machines)
•Make inter-bank transfers
•Make transfers from one account to another within the same bank
•Get a balance statement
•Get an instant statement of movements

44. • Pay Social Security contributions
• Pay Income Tax
• Pay Value Added Tax
• Recharge mobile phone credit
• Make miscellaneous payments to the state

45. What to do at the ATM machine
 Key in the four-digit PIN number
 For withdrawals press Levantamentos
 For payments select Pagamentos then several boxes will appear:
Entidade (key in number of the entity the payment is for),
Referência (key in the reference number on the bill), Montante
(key in the amount) then press Confirmar (Confirm). If a mistake is
made press Anular (Cancel)
 For mobile phone credits press Carregamentos – telemóveis then
choose between TMN, Optimus, Vodafone
 To transfer money select Transferências
 To pay taxes or social security: select Pagamentos ao Estado
whereupon several options will appear such as Segurança Social
(Social Security) etc.

46. Paying bills via the Multibanco ATM machines
Paying bills through the system of ATM Multibanco machines is easy and
instant. Follow the steps below:
 Type in personal PIN number
 Select: Payment of Purchases & Services (Pagamento das Compras e
Serviços)
 Type in the company's five digit reference number (Entidade) in the MB
box on the back of the bill.
 Type in the customer reference number (Referência)
 Type in the amount (Montante)
 Press the Confirmation (Confirmar) button
The customer receives a receipt confirming that the amount on the bill was
debited from the current account. This should be kept and attached to
the bill as proof of payment.

47. Paying Bills (Utilities bills) via the Multibanco System
Household bills (gas, telephone, electricity) can be paid for through the
Multibanco ATMs. Each bill has a box with the payment details and
references which need to be keyed in to specific fields on screen when
at the ATM.
At the Multibanco ATM:
 Select MB – Pagamento por Multibanco (MB – Payment by Multibanco)
 Then key in the entidade, the company 5-digit Reference Number in
the box on the bill
 Then type the referência, the 9-digit bill and customer reference
number
 The montante, amount in Euros, key in the figures and press
"Confirmar"
The MB machine will automatically issue a receipt which is proof of
payment and contains the time, date, company reference details and
amount paid. This should kept with the bill as proof of payment should a
problem arise.

48. Security Features
There is a withdrawal limit of €400 per day and three attempts at the pin
number before the card is retained by the machine.
Lost cards can be reported to Cartões Perdidos
Tel: 808 201 251 from Portugal
Tel: (+351) 217 813 080 from abroad

49. Glossary of Multibanco Terminology
Portuguese English
Levantamento Withdrawals
Consultas de Saldo Balance enquiry
Movimentos Transaction enquiry
Transferências de Segunda Conta a Primeira Conta Transfers from second to first account
Transferências de Primeira Conta a Segunda Conta Transfers from first account to second account
Transferência Interbancária Inter-bank transfers
Pagamentos ao Sector Estado Payments to the state sector
Pagamento ao Sector Publico Payments to the public sector
Pagamentos a Segurança Social Payments to social security
Pagamentos de Serviços e Compras Paying for goods and services
recibo receipt
Retirar o seu Dinheiro Please take your money
The machine is temporarily out of order, go to another Multibanco
Em Actualização. Dirigir-se ao Multibanco mais Próximo
Machine

50. Source: http://angloinfo.com