Customs issues in Portugal

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Barry777

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I'm planning a trip to Gibralter this summer going via La Coruna in Northern Spain (first stop from the UK) and then taking in a number of Spanish and Portugese ports on the way South.

Reading the Atlantic Spain & Portugal pilot guide - 4th Edition circs 2000 - it is suggested that the Portugese customs still require foreign yachts to check in at each port visited. However, as this very good publication is 4/5 years old now has anyone any more up to date information. Is it still a requirement or have they relaxed things a bit and only require initial immigration check similar to Spain?

Also if anyone has any "places to avoid" from previous experience i would be pleased to hear of them
 
I regret to say that you will need a full check in at each port in Portugal and a check out when you leave, even if it is the next day. If you intend to depart before the office opens, normally 9.00am, then they will usually check you out the night before. I do not recommend departing without checking out. I have seen port police insisting on a boat returning to complete their checkout. They will want to see boat registration, insurance and passsports as a minimum. At check out they will also want to know your intended next port. Upon a return visit to a port it is usually quicker to check in as the details are held on computer.They just check that nothing has changed. Having said all that they are usually very charming and pleasant, esp to Brits - just don't try to rush them or beat the system. Have a good time.
 
You have covered it well there.

We had 2 moorings - one in Vilamoura and one in Lagos for 5 years (chartering) and still had to check in and out whenever we moved from one to another - which could be daily sometimes. It's best just to play the game.

Nowhere to avoid, there have been scare stories in the past but the Portuguese people are very nice and friendly - they are just following their instructions. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
They can ask what would appear to be very strange questions.
If a company owned boat have your company related information to hand.
Radio type and engine type and serial numbers (and engine h.p) plus information on mast and sail manufacturers.
Insurance detail
Gross tonnage.
In Gib they want to know the height of your mast

If I think of anything else I'll let you know.

Steve
 
we dropped into Sines ealrier this year. They filled in a form. The place is a bit horrid, a petrochem plant dominates the outer harbour area, with rusty hulks anchored about and the town inside the breakwater is heavily built up with modern holiday homes, quite ghastly. I filled up with diesel and left. NOT recommended, i'm afraid. With decent range i managed to avoid everywhere else in portugal.
 
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