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Threat assessment · Portugal
Lisbon
Our rating, plus the advisories, health notices, emergency numbers and crime data behind it, from official sources checked Oct 20, 2026.
Nepsis threat assessment
Lisbon
Reviewed Oct 20, 2026. Scored with our published method; never below the State Department level.
Several areas set the level equally.
Top actions
- Keep bags closed and in front of you at crowded tram stops, where thieves often work in teams.
- Check for transit strikes before travel days and have a backup route to and from LIS.
- Carry a copy of your passport photo page and keep the original locked away safely.
Know before you go
Dial 112 in Portugal for ambulance, fire and police; Lisbon sits in an active earthquake zone.
Official advisories
What governments say right now.
Checked Oct 20, 2026. We link every source so you can read it yourself.
| U.S. State Department | Level 1: Exercise normal precautions (updated Dec 22, 2025) Read it → |
|---|---|
| UK Foreign Office (FCDO) | Last updated Aug 11, 2026. Latest change: Updated information on European Entry-Exit System (EES) (‘Entry requirements’ page). Read it → |
| CDC health notices | No active CDC travel health notice for this country. CDC travel notices → |
| Emergency numbers | Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police) |
| Main airport | LIS |
Crime and scams
What the UK Foreign Office advises.
Excerpt from UK FCDO travel advice, lightly trimmed for travelers outside the UK. This advice covers all of Portugal, not only Lisbon. Full FCDO safety advice →
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Protecting yourself and your belongings
Be alert to the risk of street crime. Take care on public transport and at crowded bus and tram stops. Thieves use distraction techniques and often work in teams. Look after your passport, money and personal belongings when travelling, checking in luggage at the airport or arranging car hire.
Do not carry all your valuables in one place. Keep a copy of the photo pages of your passport somewhere safe.
Make sure your accommodation has adequate security. Lock all doors and windows at night and when you go out. If you’re concerned about the security of your accommodation, speak to your tour operator or property owner, or contact the local police force:
Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP) – the public security police force that covers cities
Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR) – the national guard that covers smaller towns and rural areas
Attacks and sexual assault
Attacks including sexual assaults, are rare but do occur. The risk is highest late at night around popular nightlife locations. In an emergency, call 112.
Avoid splitting up from your friends, do not go off with people you don’t know and don’t let a friend walk back to their accommodation alone. Set up a group chat to keep in touch. Save the location of your accommodation on your maps app, so it’s easy to find or take a photograph of the name and address of your accommodation. For further tips and advice, see TravelAware ‘Stick with your mates’ and getting help if you are a victim of crime abroad.
Drink spiking and alcohol
Be alert to the possible use of ‘date rape’ and other drugs including GHB and liquid ecstasy.
What this page is
Built on official data.
Our rating above is built on the official government and police data on this page, checked Oct 20, 2026. It does not replace your government's advisory. Planning a trip here? A Nepsis kit turns it into an arrival plan you can carry. See the kits.