Formalities in Portugal

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timchapman

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I understand that there is a requirement to seek out the Maritime Police when visiting a port in Portugal with the ships papers and passports, this is for every port, even if you have arrived from another port in Portugal.

This is fairly straight forward if using marinas but either inconvenient or impractical when anchored off a beach some distance from the town and staying for a very short period of time.

How do other cruisers in Portugal deal with this? Do you always visit the authorities, sometimes or never?
 
timchapman said:
I understand that there is a requirement to seek out the Maritime Police when visiting a port in Portugal with the ships papers and passports, this is for every port, even if you have arrived from another port in Portugal.

This is fairly straight forward if using marinas but either inconvenient or impractical when anchored off a beach some distance from the town and staying for a very short period of time.

How do other cruisers in Portugal deal with this? Do you always visit the authorities, sometimes or never?
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We stopped at ore than a dozen marinas/anchorages in Portugal and showed our papers to the port police no more than 3 times. We never bothered when at anchor, only in marinas when requested.
 
Potugal Police

I can only speak for two marinas in Portugal, Vilamora & Portimao, both had Police offices in the Marina building.
Stearman65.
 
Not been required in practice.

I've been sailing down here for 12 yrs plus and have only ever shown papers at marinas or if requested by visiting police when at anchor which I do regularly. This has applied all along the Algarve coast. In fact I don't think I've actually shown the papers to the police at marinas, only to the marina staff to book in. I've always found them to be helpful and pleasant with no problems. Maybe things are changing but I've not actually seen evidence of it, I just keep reading the rumours.
Greeny
 
Last time we came down the west coast (6 years ago) we had to visit the GNR with papers at every marina police office, they were often waiting on the pontoon. Quite a simple process, passports & SSR.

On the Algarve, all the marinas send a copy of booking-in documents to police so no need to visit.
 
GrahamM376 said:
Last time we came down the west coast (6 years ago) we had to visit the GNR with papers at every marina police office, they were often waiting on the pontoon. Quite a simple process, passports & SSR.

On the Algarve, all the marinas send a copy of booking-in documents to police so no need to visit.
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When we came down two years ago the marina office did it all everywhere except Navare where the good Capn Mike helped. I understand that technically you need to register with both GNR and customs but most marina offices do this. Navare is technically not a marina, or at least wasn't when we were there.
 
Last year,as reported in THE OTHER THREAD:eek: I was boarded twice by Navy---no problem! Boarded in Alvor by Marinha RIB because they wanted to share my coffee,and once in anchorage at Portimao for same reason.
Nice bunch of people---if they want you ,they'll come get you!
 
No hassle

Last year around this time - passed thru - 3 stops - marina paperwork - no extra steps or interest EXCEPT - on 2nd day (Monday) at Cascais - the Port Police office was open/staffed. Officer heard me / staff speaking english & came out and asked to see my passport (USA) - it had not been stamped into Schengen (even though I had already traveled thru France & Spain on the boat) & he insisted on stamping - which initially concerned me because I was trying to "save" my 90 days in 180 not knowing my plans down the road. But it turned out fine.
Med Spain was the place that inspections/boarding became annoying.

So just go about your plans/stops & just have papers ready, if asked. :cool:
 
Stopped in Lagos and Sesimbra on the way back from the Med. The marina office dealt with ships papers etc and were very courteous. Sesimbra even gave a welcome pack of a bottle of wine and some cheese.
 
Thanks for all the responses. Problem with the 'OTHER THREAD', is that it gets too long and drifts. My specific concern about whether to proactively seek out the authorities when anchored, (not marina), in Portugal has been answered by many, thanks.
 
Answer - Don't

timchapman said:
My specific concern about whether to proactively seek out the authorities when anchored, (not marina), in Portugal has been answered by many, thanks.
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In a word DON'T.

If you do, you will generate confusion on both sides & could start a very unwelcomed trend.

If they want to contact you, they will. I have been visisited a few times whilst at anchor. It has always been a friendly & sometimes useful encounter.

The 'other thread' (More Portuguese Hassle) used to be useful but has become 'Rumour Centre' full of horror stories but very little fact - it always happens to the friend of a friend or some other guy - rather like Tolls on the A22 (Lagos to Ayamonte) - for visitors an ongoing shambles & well covered on the expat forums.

Will be back in Portugal in the near future & will chat with sailing friends (most of whom don't subscribe to this forum) & try to get some facts, which I will then post.
 
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A question to those with experience -

Did the Portuguese officials accept your papers (insurance, ssr pt3, bill of sale) WRITTEN IN ENGLISH, or did you need these documents translated into Portuguese?
 
nortada said:
The 'other thread' (More Portuguese Hassle) used to be useful but has become 'Rumour Centre' full of horror stories but very little fact - it always happens to the friend of a friend or some other guy - rather like Tolls on the A22 (Lagos to Ayamonte) - for visitors an ongoing shambles & well covered on the expat forums.

Will be back in Portugal in the near future & will chat with sailing friends (most of whom don't subscribe to this forum) & try to get some facts, which I will then post.
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So you will be posting information from a chat with a friend of a friend or some other guy:)
 
NDH said:
So you will be posting information from a chat with a friend of a friend or some other guy:)[/QUOTE

No I will ask the specific question, "Were you stopped & if so fined?"

This question will be posed to folk I have known for a number of years & have cruised The Algarve extensively, this & previous seasons.

I will speak directly to the couple who were reputedly fined €200 for not displaying their port of registration on their stern.

I will then report my findings from this first hand approach & hopefully separate fact from fiction.

To start the ball rolling: we have cruised The Algarve for the past 10 years. We have never been stopped at sea but have once been approached at Alcoutim in the Rio Guadiana. The interview was friendly & just sought to confirm our & the boats details.
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nortada said:
NDH said:
So you will be posting information from a chat with a friend of a friend or some other guy:)[/QUOTE

No I will ask the specific question, "Were you stopped & if so fined?"

This question will be posed to folk I have known for a number of years & have cruised The Algarve extensively, this & previous seasons.

I will speak directly to the couple who were reputedly fined €200 for not displaying their port of registration on their stern.

I will then report my findings from this first hand approach.

To start the ball rolling: we have cruised The Algarve for the past 10 years. We have never been stopped at sea but have once been approached at Alcoutim in the Rio Guadiana. The interview was friendly &just sought to confirm our & the boats details.
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with ssr there "is no port of registration"
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