Portugal - Documents
Documents Required for Entering Portugal by Yacht:
- Passports;
- Crew list (preferably complete with the ship’s stamp) showing passport numbers, date of birth and when and where they joined the boat and departure information;
- Original registration document;
- Insurance policy;
- Ship’s radio licence (and one member of the crew must have a radio operator’s certificate).
- The skipper must also have a certificate of competence;
- EU yachts need evidence of VAT status.
- Non-EU yachts should ensure that they have documented evidence that they have not been in the EU for a continuous period longer than 180 days.
Additional papers required may include:
- Evidence of health insurance (or European Health Insurance Card);
- Ship’s log.
Photocopies of any of these documents are not acceptable to the police unless they are notarized as genuine copies. Any discrepancies in documentation could involve either confiscation of the boat or a substantial fine, or both.
If you wish to anchor when in the Algarve, you will need to show proof of payment of light and buoys dues, payable on entry into Portugal. See fees for details.
Finally, you must have an Ensign (the national maritime flag of your boat’s country of registration). In addition, if your boat is not Portuguese registered, a Portuguese courtesy ensign.
If you have information for this section, or feedback on businesses used, please let us know at editor@noonsite.com. We also welcome new information about businesses you have used (see Related Businesses).
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Courtesy Flag Discounts
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YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
Buy Now On YachtFlags.comMain Ports - Portugal
Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
Buy Now On YachtFlags.comFormalities
Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
Buy Now On YachtFlags.com
May 2023: Sines Marina (Porto de Recreio de Sines) is closed to visitors due to safety concerns raised on a survey this spring. https://www.noonsite.com/place/portugal/atlantic-coast-portugal/sines/
AZORES ISLANDS,, WE WERE CHARGED HALF PRICE OF MARINA FEE PLUS ANOTHER 50% FOR BE A TRIMARAN ON MOST OF THE ANCHORAGES INSIDE HARBOUR(HORTA) AND ALSO OUTSIDE HARBOUR(ST JORGE) AZORIENS ARE GETTING GREEDY??’SO WAS 27 EUROS DAY OUTSIDE THE HARBOUR IN OPEN SEA , AND ON ANCHOR, MOST EXPENSIVE ANCHORAGE AROUND THE ATLANTIC,,,
Trying to find the alleged Ramarine service folk in Sao Miguel, Ponto Delgada. Broken Autopilot, Terciera. Seems ridiculously difficult to find them. Anyone have a contact number
Orca Encounter Cascais, Portugal
https://www.facebook.com/groups/588408531341472/
From the Med Sailing FB page 21st January, 2022:
We have just taken an Orca attack about 3 miles west of Cascais. Be aware they are currently here.
We have rudder damage and are heading back to Cascais port. The attack lasted around 30 minutes. We shut off the engine and electronics but were advised my the MRCC to put the engine on and use reverse. It seemed to have worked. I counted 4 orcas and we are a Dufour 56 on engine at the time of the attack.
In Portimao we did a complete refit of our sailboat . We did use Rosa Cabral & Soares shipyard : great people very helpful .
We did use DM Yacht to change our rigging : it was a disaster, very incompétent people who brought to us a lot of problems ( 7 months to finaly get our new rigging in good shape ) Thanks to Pete’s keeping who did fix all the mistakes done by DM Yacht .
My email address is ” bernardbaudouin07@gmail.com ” If you need more infos about these people .and Portimao ..
Attention sailors apparently there was one interacting group of orcas in Peniche, and another one in Sines yesterday. Check out maps to plan your trips.
From https://www.facebook.com/OrcaIberica/
Hey Guys,
anyone knows where I can Launch my boat (MacGregor26x) into the water for cheap money in Portugal?
Can’t wait to be on the water!
Hi all
Ive purchased a 36ft Beneteau thats currently in the Lagos marina, the 6K a year is a little pricey for me, Ive just retired, does anyone know a more reasonably priced marina along the Algarve ?
Vila Real is the cheapest in Algarve but difficult to access with exposure to tide and wind. Cross the river into Ayamonte, Spain and an annual contract is about 1/2 the price of Lagos.
Bridge Height Rio Guadiana
There is some discrepancy with the height of the suspension bridge on the Rio Guadiana – Noonsite suggests 20 metres but the Royal Cruising Club Imray Publication ‘Atlantic Spain and Portugal’ on page 273
advises that the Portuguese charts show 18 metres. (referenced to Mean Sea Level)
The Navionics Chart for the River also indicates 18 m.
Clarification ?
H=18m
As bars and restaurants open up we are concerned about what happens if a member of the crew gets covid 19 on board. Does anyone have any information
Some web links that you will find useful:
https://covid19.min-saude.pt/ponto-de-situacao-atual-em-portugal/
Users with suspected COVID-19 should contact the SNS24 line – https://www.sns24.gov.pt/
It goes without saying that if visiting bars and restaurants, only pick establishments that have proper social distancing between the tables, have hand sanitizer with you and wear a mask when not sitting at your table eating etc. Follow the protocols in place in Portugal.
Portugal has declared a State of Emergency and as a consequence most marinas between Faro and Lisbon appear to be closed and crew are not being allowed to disembark.
Making way to Lisbon to see if mornings can be found found and crew can catch flights out of Lisbon Airport!
Hi-ya
Looking for a haulout yard where I can liveaboard and work on boat myself for a few weeks on the algarve or S. Spain
11m Macwester bilge keeler
Ta
I know you can at Sopromar in Lagos – https://www.noonsite.com/place/portugal/south-coast-algarve/lagos/repair-facilities/. Good place to work on boat as active winter community there.
Hello,
We have look for a chandelier on Madeira and we just find a great store today and the have a lot of products for motor our sailing boats.
The address is
Nautica Madeira Chacin
Estrada do Garajau
Sitio da Quinta
You can reach it by Bus 113 SAM
Our by car
Hi All,
We are planning to have our 53’ sailboat interior re-varnished in Portugal. Does anyone has a yard to recommand for this ?
Thanks.
how often in august fog on the
west coast ?
July and August are the worst months for fog on the west coast of Portugal (much less prevalent on the SW coast). In Galicia it can last days sometimes, but in Portugal you might get one day a week with fog.
We spent the winter 18/19 in Portimao,which gave us time to visit the other marinas on the Algarve. Our boat is 54’on deck and 62′ LOA, full length keel.
Lagos is very popular but cramped, we would not have had fun manoeuvring in there. Supermarket just across the road. Most expensive offer for a 9 months stay.
Portimao, outside of town,bus service, not so many live aboards. Facilities good, plenty of space as well as sufficient water for the boats.Boatyard on other side of river, several english speaking. Middle price offer.
Vilamora, rather shallow harbour, manoeuvring space on the small side, but good marineros. Lots of rather expensive restaurants and bars along the quays, tourists only, no traditional town or even supermarket.( 10 km to closest one). Hotels and golf courses galore. Expensive for a one night stop but cheapest winter offer.
The Lagos Navigators now have an active Facebook group. Please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/lagosnavigators/
to join the group. There is lots of useful information about local services, activities and more……
‘Lights’ Tax: Renewed ours recently. Authorities now charge 70 euros/6-months. (was 2 euros/6 months)
Kjempe.
Terceira in Azores asking for Engine Tax as well as Lights tax.50hp rates at €100
DND: Lack of product support, Integrity and Overpriced.
I ordered an Osculatti holding tank with DND for my sailboat which was the original tank manufacturer installed. (The valve, tank, waste sensor and mascerator pump were all defective).
Despite repeatedly indicating they would rectify the selling of poor quality equipment to me, DND has not stood by their word.
Thus began what has turned into a 4+ month long struggle to attain a reasonable resolution. DND has for the most part taken the tack of complete lack of communication.
I have spent an additional 500 Euros due to the poor quality of this Osculati tank, in an effort to have it function, and it still does not work. Katia, the owner (of DND), has promised me multiple times to take back the tank and refund my money. Katia now does not take my phone calls, I am assuming, she hopes this will just go away. On November 16th, I finally got (an email promising a refund) – yet still no refund.
Additionally, DND, charged me €550 for the holding tank alone. I now have the original boat manufacturer providing a new tank AND installed for €520.
My experience warrants a warning to reconsider using DND for any serious purchase which would require support.
On 12 NOV 2018 “Kleen Breeze”, the 20-m HarryProa schooner built by Robin Warde, was found missing from the anchorage at Culatra.
A diver was seen on 13 NOV trying to recover her anchor. Apparently, the chain had been cut. Case has been reported to the Maritime Police.
Please contact the authorities in case the boat is seen somewhere in Portugal, Spain or Morocco.
Warning re “Hot Marinas” on the Algarve coast. This summer there have been major corrosion issues on yachts in Villamoura and Lagos.
Make sure you have a galvanic isolator fitted to the earth cable on your shore power connection before leaving your boat there. Do not leave the power connected for long periods when you are not on board.
Six boats severely damaged in Villamoura with loss of expensive aluminium stern drives etc. Similar on F dock at lagos. Major anode loss on steel hull in a short period.
For cruisers who are passing through Lagos on the Algarve, there is a very active visitors/liveaboard group called the Lagos Navigators.
They have a website (http://lagosnavigators.net) which maintains up to date cruising and local information and organize various activities. From September to June a twice-weekly VHF Net is broadcast at 09:30, Mondays and Fridays on Ch09.
As posted by Roelof Crevecoeur:
You can get 20% discount if you ask for a voucher at the marina of Viano do Castelo. Douro Marina can give a voucher with 20% discount on the marina’s Oeiras, Troia, Lagos, Porto Santo and Quita do Lorde (Madeira), but you have to ask for it.