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EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic Representation in US:
    Ambassador: Joao de VALLERA
    Embassy: 2012 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036;
    Telephone: [1] (202) 350-5400
    Fax: [1] (202) 462-3726

US Diplomatic Representation:
    Ambassador: Allan J. Katz
    Embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600 Lisbon
    Mailing Address: PSC 83, Lisbon; APO AE 09726
    Telephone: [351] (21) 727-3300
    Fax: [351] (21) 727-9109
    Consulate(s): Ponta Delgada (Azores)

    Consulate(s) are in:
    Los Angeles 1801 Ave. Of The Stars, Suite 400,
    Los Angeles, CA 90067.
    (310) 277-1491
     
    San Francisco
    3298 Washington St.,
    San Francisco, CA 94115.
    (415) 346-3400
     
    Boston
    One Exeter Pl., 7th Floor
    Boston, MA 02116.
    (617) 536-8740
    Newark
    The Legal Center, 1 Riverfront Plaza, Main Floor,
    Newark, NJ 07102.
    (973) 643-4200

    New York
    3rd Floor, 630 5th Av., Suite 310,
    New York, NY 10111.
    (212) 246-4580

Embassy and Consulate Web Sites for Portugal
Embassy of the United States of America in Lisbon, Portugal
Permanent Mission of Portugal to the United Nations in New York




FOREIGN RELATIONS

Portugal has been a significant beneficiary of European Union funding and is a strong proponent of European integration.

Portugal has consistently supported EU expansion, including entry talks with Turkey. Of Portugal’s three foreign policy priorities (EU, transatlantic ties, Lusophone states), the EU is the most important. EU policies and regulations increasingly direct Portuguese law and policy, and Portuguese foreign policy is increasingly influenced by a need for EU consensus. Portugal is a member of the “Schengen” passport-free zone.

Portugal joined the United Nations in 1955, and currently holds a rotating Security Council seat for 2011-2012, having previously served on the Council in 1979-80 and 1997-98. Portugal is an active participant in UN organizations, and is seeking a seat on the Human Rights Council for 2014-2017. Portuguese forces participate in many UN operations, including Congo, Guinea, Lebanon, and Timor-Leste.

Portugal is a founding member of NATO; it is an active member of the alliance, and Portuguese forces participate in NATO operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo. Portugal hosted the 2010 NATO Summit and is home to a NATO Command in Oeiras, near Lisbon.

Portugal is a key member of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), an organization headquartered in Lisbon intended to unite Lusophone nations and discuss promoting the Portuguese language as well as political and economic linkages. Portugal is also a member of the Community of Democracies (CD) and has participated in a series of Ibero-American summits. Portugal was a strong advocate of independence for Timor-Leste, a former Portuguese colony, and has provided troops and money to Timor-Leste in close cooperation with the United States, Asian allies, and the United Nations.

U.S.-PORTUGUESE RELATIONS
Bilateral ties date from the earliest years of the United States. Following the Revolutionary War, Portugal was among the first countries to recognize the United States. On February 21, 1791, President George Washington opened formal diplomatic relations, naming Col. David Humphreys as U.S. minister. The oldest continuously-operating U.S. Consulate in the world, since 1795, is in Ponta Delgada on the island of Sao Miguel in the Azores.

Contributing to the strong ties between the United States and Portugal are the sizable Portuguese communities in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, California, and Hawaii. The latest census estimates that 1.3 million individuals living in the United States are of Portuguese ancestry, with a large percentage coming from the Azores. There are about 20,000 Americans living in Portugal.

The United States-Portugal defense relationship is strong and enduring. The current U.S.-Portugal Agreement on Cooperation and Defense (ACD) was signed in 1995; however, a U.S. military forward presence at Lajes Field, in the Azores, extends back to World War II. U.S. Air Forces Europe's 65 Air Base Wing, in close cooperation with the Portuguese Air Force, ensures that Lajes Field remains an important logistic hub for U.S. Transportation Command, U.S. European Command, and NATO Allies. Access to Lajes Field is an essential component of U.S. European Command’s engagement in Portugal. This access supports deployed U.S. forces throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. U.S. missions currently supported by a presence at Lajes Field include counterterrorism, humanitarian, and combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Portugal values the transatlantic alliance and advocates within the European Union and NATO for strong European ties with the United States, particularly on defense and security issues. The Portuguese Government is open to greater cooperation with U.S. Africa Command to synchronize engagement efforts, and to enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation with the U.S. on the African continent. Portugal hosts NATO Allied Joint Command Lisbon and continues to lobby the alliance to maintain a NATO headquarters in Lisbon following NATO Command structure reform. The Portuguese Government continues to struggle to meet NATO’s defense spending target, but is working to complete a transformation of its military command structure and is incorporating two recently acquired advanced diesel submarines and one new Ocean Patrol vessel into the Navy as well as upgrades to Portuguese Air Force maritime patrol aircraft.

U.S.-Portuguese trade is relatively small, with the United States exporting $1.5 billion worth of goods in 2009 and importing an estimated $1 billion. While total Portuguese trade has increased dramatically over the last 10 years, the U.S. percentage of Portugal's exports and imports has been growing at a slower rate. The Portuguese Government is seeking to increase technology and service exports, as well as traditional products (textiles and footwear) to the United States and is encouraging greater bilateral investment. U.S. firms play significant roles in the pharmaceutical, computer, and retail sectors in Portugal, but their involvement in the automotive manufacturing sector has declined in recent years.

Principal U.S. Officials
Ambassador--Allan J. Katz
Deputy Chief of Mission--Lucy Tamlyn
Political/Economic Affairs--Lucy Tamlyn, Acting
Consular Affairs--Christopher Richard
Management Affairs--Bruce Wilson
Public Affairs--Abigail Dressel
Acting Regional Security Officer--David Groccia
Commercial Affairs--Dillon Banerjee
Defense Attache--COL Karl Johnson
Office of Defense Cooperation--Terry Dudley
Principal Officer, Ponta Delgada--Gavin Sundwall

The U.S. Embassy is located at Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600-081 Lisbon, Portugal (tel.: +351-21-727-3300). The embassy homepage is: http://portugal.usembassy.gov. The Ponta Delgada consulate is located at Avenida Principe Monaco, 6-2 Frente, Ponta Delgada, 9500-237 Sao Miguel, Azores (tel.: +351-29-628-2216). The consulate homepage is: http://www.usconsulateazores.pt/. The consular agent in Funchal, Madeira is Edgar Potter (tel.: +351-29-174-1088).


TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for Portugal check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet.


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving     U.S Driving Permit accepted
Currency     (EUR) Euro
Electrical     230 Volts
Telephones     Country Code 351, City Code, Lisboa 21+7D, Porto 22+7D, Mealhada 231+6D

 

Language
When written the Portuguese language has a visual relationship to both Spanish and Italian. When spoken it takes on another character. Although today the language has been influenced by modern means of communication, the educated form can be likened to "Dickensian English" in its style. It is courteous in content and suitable flowery in description. Spoken Spanish can be understood by the Portuguese but is best avoided. Anybody with knowledge of some Portuguese history will be able to understand the reason. The inhabitants have a wonderful ability to learn foreign languages and you will find that the English language is normally readily understood. This has been helped by the fact that all foreign films on TV and Cinemas are shown in their original language with subtitles.

Mail Services
The word Correio denotes a Post Office or services. First class mail is denoted by the words "correio azul" and normally associated with the colour of blue. From Post Offices there is an express service named EMS that also records delivery. These offices are normally open from 08.30 hrs. until 18.30 hrs. from Monday to Friday. In bigger towns they may also will also be open on Saturday.

Money
The local currency is Euros. Money can be changed at Banks, Bureau De Change (Cambio) or at one of the currency exchange machines in the streets. These facilities will offer a better rate than in Hotels and Receptions. Banks are open from Monday through to Friday, from 08.30 hrs. to 15.00 hrs. Euro cheque is a cheaper method than a Traveler Cheque in obtaining cash. All well-known Credit Cards are usually accepted.

Museums
Although the majority of the museums and art galleries are State owned there are a number of private Foundations and individually owned exhibition places. This fact is particularly evident when wishing to see contemporary art where they tend to reflect the taste of the owner. State Museums charge a small entrance fee that is usually waived on Sundays and Public Holidays. They are open from Tuesday through to Sunday and pensioners receive a 40% discount on the entrance fee. Sometimes there is no charge at all for pensioners on showing your ID. Opening times are normally from 10.00 hours to 17.00 hours, but sometimes closed during lunchtime.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

Tobacco............................200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
Liquor...............................2 litres
Perfume............................50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette
Cameras...........................No restrictions
Film..................................Reasonable for personal use
Currency...........................Must be declared on arrival
Gifts...................................Duty free allowance up to $50.00
Other.................................Further goods up to esc7500
Agriculture items...............Refer to Consulate



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