Portugal customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed July 2, 2026·Official source

Portugal is part of the EU customs union. The main risk for non-residents arriving from outside the EU is accidentally exceeding duty-free allowances and facing 23% VAT (IVA) plus customs duty on the excess. All allowances apply to travellers aged 17 and over.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol

1.0 L

1 L of spirits over 22% ABV, OR 2 L of wine/beer (under 22% ABV). Must be 17+. No duty if within limits.

Tobacco

200 cigarettes

or 50 cigars / 250 g

Cash to declare

$10,800

€10,000 (approx. USD 10,800) or equivalent. Declare via 'Declaração de Capitais' form at customs or online at Banco de Portugal. Applies to cash, bearer cheques, and monetary instruments.

Goods duty-free

$465

€430 (approx. USD 465) for air/sea travellers; €300 (approx. USD 325) for land travellers. Above this, duty is 2.5%–17% plus 23% VAT (IVA).

Prohibited — banned from import

Narcotics and psychotropic substances (except with a medical prescription)
Counterfeit goods and pirated items
Endangered species (CITES) products without a permit
Firearms, ammunition, and explosives (except with a police permit)
Obscene or indecent materials
Certain meats and dairy from non-EU countries without veterinary certification

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

Medications containing controlled substances (prescription required)
Plants, seeds, and soil (phytosanitary certificate needed)
Drones over 250 g (must be registered with ANAC and have insurance)
Satellite phones (require a licence from ANACOM)
Cultural artefacts over 50 years old (export permit from Ministry of Culture)

Arriving: red vs green channel

Use the green channel if you have nothing to declare; red channel if you have goods exceeding allowances, cash over €10,000, or restricted/prohibited items. No arrival card – just walk through. Customs officers may randomly stop you.

Tax-free shopping & VAT refunds

Tourist VAT refund (Tax Free) available for purchases over €61.35 from a single store. Claim at airport before check-in: present goods, receipts, and passport at the 'Tax Free' desk (e.g., Global Blue, Planet). Refund typically 13–16% of purchase price.

Bringing medication

Personal medications for up to 90 days allowed without prescription, but controlled substances (e.g., strong painkillers, ADHD meds) require a doctor's prescription in Portuguese or English. Some common Western meds like codeine-based painkillers are controlled – carry a prescription.

Food, plants & animal products

No meat, dairy, or animal products from outside the EU unless accompanied by a veterinary certificate. Fruits, vegetables, plants, and seeds must be declared and may require a phytosanitary certificate. Banned: raw milk, certain cheeses from non-EU countries.

Rules worth knowing

EU travellers: no duty-free for EU goods

If arriving from another EU country, no duty-free allowances for goods bought in the EU (duty already paid). Allowances above apply only to goods bought outside the EU or in duty-free shops.

Cash declaration is mandatory

Any person carrying €10,000 or more in cash (or equivalent) must declare it. Failure can result in seizure of the cash and a fine up to 50% of the amount.

Duty-free goods allowance is per person

The €430 allowance is per traveller, not per family. Families can pool allowances only if each member has their own goods. For example, a couple can bring €860 worth of goods if each has €430 worth.

Tobacco and alcohol age limit

You must be 17 or older to bring in duty-free alcohol and tobacco. Customs may ask for ID if you look under 25.

Frequently asked questions

If your final destination is Portugal and you clear customs in Lisbon, you use the non-EU allowances (€430 goods, 200 cigarettes, etc.) because your journey started outside the EU. The layover in Frankfurt does not change this.

Yes, you can buy duty-free Port wine at Porto airport. For US customs, you are allowed 1 L of alcohol duty-free. For Portuguese customs, since you are leaving the EU, there is no restriction on what you take out.

If you are a non-resident arriving from outside the EU, your personal electronics are considered personal effects and are generally duty-free as long as they are for your own use and not new in box. However, if you have multiple high-value items, customs may ask for proof of ownership (receipts).

You must declare the excess in the red channel. You will pay customs duty (typically 2.5%–17% depending on the item) plus 23% VAT (IVA) on the value above €430. For example, if you bring €600 worth of goods, you pay duty and VAT on €170.

Yes, Cuban cigars are legal in Portugal. You can bring up to 50 cigars duty-free if arriving from outside the EU. If you bring more, you must declare them and pay duty.

If the medication contains a controlled substance (e.g., codeine, morphine), you need a doctor's prescription in Portuguese or English. For a 90-day supply or less, no special permit is needed. For more than 90 days, you may need an import licence from INFARMED (the Portuguese medicines authority).

There is no limit, but any amount of €10,000 or more (or equivalent in other currencies) must be declared. You can bring any amount, but failure to declare over €10,000 can lead to seizure and fines.

Official source

Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority)