Now, Portugal. Ah, the land of custard tarts, sunsets, and… a new charge for entry into the Algarve? Not exactly. The updated guidance warns about strict driving laws in the Algarve. You can still waltz into Lisbon with a smile, but if you rent a car, watch out.
The Portuguese have decided zero tolerance means zero tolerance for speeding. One kilometre over the limit? You might as well have mooned a statue of Vasco da Gama. The fine is steep, and they’ve got cameras everywhere. My advice: enjoy the scenery at a crawl. It gives you more time to eat pastéis de nata from the glovebox.
Also, there’s a new digital entry system being tested. It’s called ETIAS, and it’s coming to all Schengen countries soon. For now, Portugal is just stressing about it. You don’t need it yet, but keep an ear out. It’s like that friend who says they’ll be ready in five minutes—you know it’s coming, just not when.
