- Abortion legal status
- Legal
- Emergency contraception
- Over the counter
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: aloneandabroad.com, knowyourtrips.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- Save 112 (general emergency) and the APAV helpline 116 006 in your phone before you need them — APAV is confidential and covers all crime victims, but only operates 08:00–22:00 on weekdays, not 24/7.
- You do not have to go to the police first: you can go straight to a hospital or the Institute of Legal Medicine in Lisbon for a forensic exam and to have the assault documented, which preserves your options for reporting later.
- The morning-after pill is sold over the counter at any Lisbon pharmacy with no prescription and no age limit — just ask the pharmacist, as it's usually kept behind the counter rather than on open shelves.
- 24-hour pharmacies in Lisbon rotate daily, so check a current 'farmácias de serviço' listing rather than assuming the same pharmacy is open every night.
- The regular birth control pill technically requires a doctor's prescription in Portugal — don't assume you can walk in and buy a monthly supply the way you can get emergency contraception.
- Portugal's elective abortion window is one of the shortest in Europe: up to 10 weeks of pregnancy, with a mandatory 3-day reflection period built in — so practically there's only about 1–2 weeks to decide and act after a pregnancy is confirmed.
- You cannot get an elective abortion at a random private OB/GYN office — it must be done at a hospital or clinic specifically accredited for the procedure; the general clinics listed above are for routine gynecological/reproductive care, not abortion providers themselves.
- If you're an EU resident or hold reciprocal-country status, the procedure can be free through the public system (SNS); non-EU nomads/tourists should confirm cost and eligibility directly with a hospital or the SNS before assuming coverage.
- For routine gynecology (check-ups, contraception, STI testing, prenatal care), several private Lisbon clinics offer English-speaking doctors and same-day appointments, which is useful for nomads without a Portuguese family doctor.
Street, Night and Taxi Safety
Street Harassment
Catcalling is a documented issue in Lisbon, with one solo female resident describing it as the most common negative experience, ranging from whistles to more unsettling encounters, and noting it happens far more often when walking alone than when accompanied by others. That said, some guides describe Lisbon as notably calmer on this front than several other Southern European capitals, with street harassment less of a defining feature of the city than in some neighboring countries. Persistent solicitation from vendors, restaurant touts, and fake street sellers (especially around central tourist streets) is also common, though this is generally more of a nuisance than a safety threat and a firm "não quero nada" (I don't want anything) said while continuing to walk is the recommended response.
Walking Alone at Night — Generally Fine Areas
Central, well-lit, busy neighborhoods are widely considered comfortable for women walking alone even after dark, including Príncipe Real, Chiado, Bairro Alto (before the late-night bar crowds get rowdier), and Belém during its earlier evening hours. One long-time visitor described feeling completely at ease walking solo late into the night in Lisbon, citing the city's generally respectful, low-key atmosphere. Multiple sources frame the main nightlife corridors as busy and well-lit well into the night, making a walk home along main streets after midnight a fairly normal thing to do.
Walking Alone at Night — Areas to Be More Cautious in
Alfama's narrow, hilly streets are poorly lit at night, and while the neighborhood is fine to explore freely by day, guides recommend sticking to main streets or taking a ride rather than wandering its backstreets alone after midnight. Martim Moniz is flagged by local safety guides as an area with drug activity and street harassment reported regularly after dark, and one that solo women are advised to avoid walking through alone at night, even though the square itself is fine during the day. Cais do Sodré's Pink Street bar strip is lively and fun but gets rowdy late at night, with unwanted attention from drinking crowds cited as the main issue for solo women in that specific stretch after midnight.
Taxis and Ride-hailing
Bolt and Uber are both described as the safer, go-to choice for late-night journeys in Lisbon, since both are fully legal and provide a continuous digital trail — vehicle registration, live GPS tracking and driver identification — that adds a layer of security compared with hailing an unmarked car on the street. Both apps also let passengers request a female driver, a feature specifically highlighted as reassuring for women travelling alone late at night. At airports and other arrival points, sources advise skipping unofficial taxis that claim their meter is "broken" and sticking to officially marked cabs or app-based rides instead.
Practical Precautions
Common advice for women in Lisbon includes keeping bags zipped and close (crowded trams, especially the famous Tram 28, are a known pickpocketing hotspot), sticking to busier, well-traveled streets rather than cutting through quiet or dimly lit areas at night, and knowing your route home before heading out. In nightlife areas like Bairro Alto and Pink Street, sources recommend going out in a group where possible, keeping a close eye on your drink, and being wary of overly persistent attention from drunk crowds late at night.
Abortion Law And OB-GYN
- Law Summary
- Abortion at the woman's request has been legal in Portugal since a 2007 referendum and Law 16/2007.
- Legal Status
- Fully legal and regulated
- Penalties For Noncompliance
- Undergoing or performing an abortion outside the legal framework (wrong pregnancy window, non-accredited setting, no consent) is a criminal offense; a woman who consents to an unlawful abortion can face up to 3 years in prison, and a provider acting without consent can face 2–8 years.
Access Routes
- How To Start
- Access is typically initiated via a GP/family doctor referral (SNS) or by directly contacting an accredited hospital's Gynecology-Obstetrics department; there is no walk-in abortion clinic model — the 3-day reflection period and lab work must be scheduled first.
- Public System
- Public hospitals with OB/GYN services are formally obligated to offer abortion, though individual doctors can refuse via conscientious objection; hospitals that opt out must refer patients to an authorized private facility, still covered by the National Health System.
- Private System
- Only a small number of specifically accredited private clinics/units are licensed to perform abortions in Lisbon; a doctor cannot legally perform an abortion in an ordinary private practice/office — it must be at an officially accredited public or private facility.
- Foreigners And Residents
- Foreign residents can access the procedure; it is free of charge for Portuguese nationals and for non-Portuguese women residing in Portugal from other European countries, and for women from countries with reciprocal diplomatic arrangements. Non-resident nomads/tourists should expect to need to pay privately and should confirm coverage and eligibility directly with the clinic or SNS in advance.
Abortion Time Limits
- Extended Grounds
- Beyond 10 weeks, abortion is only permitted for risk to the woman's life/health, fetal malformation, or rape/sexual crimes, with limits increasing at 12, 16, and 24 weeks depending on the ground.
- Elective On Request
- Up to the 10th week of pregnancy (medical abortion typically to 10 weeks + 6 days).
- Fetal Non Viability
- No time limit if the fetus is determined non-viable.
Mandatory Procedural Steps
- Pre-abortion consultation with a doctor plus a lab test
- Mandatory 3-day 'reflection period' between the first consultation and the procedure, including counselling
- Written consent from the woman
- Contraception counselling in at least one consultation
- Minors under 16 require parental/guardian consent
Named OB-GYN Options Lisbon
United Medical Clinic (UMC) Lisbon
- Type
- Private international clinic, general gynecology/women's health (not an abortion-accredited facility)
- Consultation Fee
- €120
- Notes
- International, English-speaking team of gynecologists; offers transvaginal ultrasound during consultation, breast/mammology consults, and online follow-up video visits; works with major international insurers (AXA, Cigna, International SOS, etc.).
Hospital Lusíadas Lisboa – Gynecology and Obstetrics
- Type
- Private hospital department
- Notes
- Full gynecology and obstetrics unit covering reproductive health, pregnancy monitoring, and childbirth with multidisciplinary specialist teams.
Hospital Da Luz (Lisboa / Torres De Lisboa)
- Type
- Private hospital network, Obstetrics-Gynecology consultations
- Notes
- Large private hospital network with online booking for OB/GYN consultations; multiple central Lisbon locations.
Alegria Medical Centre – Gynaecology
- Type
- Private clinic, English-speaking
- Notes
- Markets itself specifically as offering English-speaking gynaecology care in Lisbon, covering contraception, pregnancy care, and obstetric ultrasounds.
X-Clinic (Near Amoreiras) – Dr. Tânia Sardinha
- Type
- Private clinic, named specialist
- Notes
- Gynecologist and obstetrician with a background at Hospital de São Francisco Xavier (Western Lisbon Hospital Center) and fetal medicine training at King's College Hospital, UK.
Joaquim Chaves Saúde – Gynaecology and Obstetrics
- Type
- Private multi-specialty clinic network
- Notes
- Team-based gynaecology/obstetrics service with integrated imaging and lab departments, plus fertility support consultations.
Assault Resources
- Context Caveat
- Portugal has been criticized in international reviews (e.g., CEDAW, Council of Europe) for having too few specialized rape-crisis centers relative to population; Lisbon's AMCV center was the first of its kind in the country, opened in 2016.
Emergency Number
- Number
- 112
- Notes
- General EU emergency line for police/medical/fire.
Reporting And Legal Notes
- Rape and sexual assault are criminalized under Articles 163–164 of the Portuguese Penal Code, and are investigated by the Polícia Judiciária (PJ).
- These crimes are legally classed as 'semi-public' in Portugal, meaning criminal proceedings only begin once the victim formally reports to authorities.
- A victim can go to a hospital or the Institute of Legal Medicine for a forensic exam and to report the crime, before or instead of going to police first.
Hotlines And Support Services
APAV (Portuguese Association for Victim Support) – Victim Support Helpline
- Phone
- 116 006
- Details
- The national helpline for all victims of crime, including sexual violence.
- Availability
- Workdays 08:00–22:00, free of charge, strictly confidential
AMCV (Associação De Mulheres Contra a Violência) – Rape Crisis Center, Lisbon
- Phone
- +351 213 802 165
- Details
- AMCV is an NGO offering psychological support and counselling specifically for women and girls who are victims of sexual violence
- Availability
- Weekdays, approx. 10:00–18:00
UMAR (União De Mulheres Alternativa E Resposta)
- Phone
- +351 218 873 005 / National free line 800 202 148
- Details
- NGO giving psychological support to women who have been victims of psychological and/or physical abuse, helping them regain independence and stability
800 202 148 (also 144)
- Name
- National Domestic/Gender Violence Information Line (Serviço de Informação a Vítimas de Violência Doméstica)
- Details
- A national helpline that is free of charge, anonymous, confidential and available 24/7
- Availability
- 24/7
National Legal Medicine Institute (Instituto Nacional De Medicina Legal), Lisbon
- Details
- Victims can go directly to this forensic medical unit (or a hospital) to be examined, treated, and have evidence gathered, and can report the assault through this medical unit without needing to go to police first
- Practical Note
- Avoid showering, changing clothes, or using the toilet before this exam if possible, to preserve evidence
Tourism Police (Polícia De Turismo), Lisbon
- Details
- Dedicated tourist police stations in Lisbon staffed with officers who have foreign language skills
- Translation Support
- Free telephone translation service ('Serviço de Tradução Telefónica'): 808 257 257 (Portuguese landline) or +351 218 106 191 (mobile)
Contraception Access
Implant
- Access
- Requires a doctor's prescription and insertion by a clinician; not available over-the-counter.
- Regulatory Status
- Fully legal and regulated
Birth Control Pill
- Access
- Officially requires a doctor's prescription (from a GP/médico de família or gynecologist, via SNS or private care). In practice, some pharmacies in Lisbon sell common brands without strictly enforcing the prescription requirement, but this is inconsistent and not guaranteed.
- Regulatory Status
- Fully legal and regulated
- Notes
- If registered with a local SNS health center (available to residents), the pill can be obtained for free.
Emergency Contraception
- Access
- Available over-the-counter at any pharmacy without a prescription, with no age restrictions for purchase; also obtainable at public sector family planning clinics and hospital emergency rooms.
- Types Available
- Both levonorgestrel (LNG) pills and the more effective ulipristal acetate (UPA/ellaOne) pill are sold; UPA EC has been available behind-the-counter (ask pharmacist, not on open shelves) since April 2015.
- Copper IUD As EC
- A copper IUD can also be used as a highly effective form of emergency contraception and is available free of charge from family planning centers at NHS (SNS)-associated hospitals, though this option is used less commonly and must be arranged/inserted by a clinician within the effective window.
- Regulatory Status
- Fully legal and regulated
Cost
- Free Option
- EC pills are provided free of charge when obtained directly through a public (SNS) family planning center; otherwise the cost is out-of-pocket and not reimbursed by social security.
Typical Price Range
- Low
- €9.00
- High
- €17
IUD Intrauterine Device
- Access
- Available in Portugal but requires a prescription and insertion by a doctor/gynecologist; commonly prescribed through the SNS as well as privately.
- Regulatory Status
- Fully legal and regulated
- Notes
- Separate from its emergency-contraception use, standard IUD insertion for ongoing contraception is a scheduled medical procedure, not an over-the-counter purchase.
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this women's health & safety research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Lisbon
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.