Event: The city of Lisbon will be hosting World Youth Day from August 1 through August 6, 2023, including a visit by Pope Francis. which is expected to attract more than one million people to Lisbon and surrounding areas.
Actions to Take:
We encourage you to consider the following tips/precautions:
- Call 112 in an emergency. This is the equivalent to 911 in the United States.
- Beware of pickpockets in crowded places, including on public transportation.
- If the victim of a crime go to the nearest police station to report, including the lost or theft of your belongings.
- If you lose your passport or it is stolen submit a request for an emergency passport as soon as possible.
- August is the hottest month in Lisbon so be conscious of the heat and take precautions such as staying hydrated, seeking shade and using sunscreen.
- Do not leave valuables in vehicles, especially vehicles with stickers identifying the vehicle as a rental car. Tourists are frequent victims of car break-ins.
- Avoid using an ATM in isolated or poorly lit areas.
- If you are flying during this period, please be aware there will be longer waits and if you miss your flight, it may be difficult to reschedule, so plan accordingly.
- Have a backup plan in case you miss your flight or it is cancelled and cannot be rescheduled for several days. The airport will likely be very crowded and take additional time to navigate.
- There are reports of various threatened labor strikes throughout Portugal during World Youth Day, including possibly luggage handlers and train operators. Monitor local media for updates.
- The government of Portugal is planning on closing certain roads, subway stations and bus lines. Follow local media for updates, so that you can find transport alternatives in case of closures.
- The official website of World Youth Day with information regarding the event is WYD Lisbon 2023 (lisboa2023.org)
Assistance:
American Citizens Services, U.S. Embassy, Lisbon, Portugal
Emergency during Business Hours: +351 21-727-3300
Emergency outside of Business Hours: +351 21-727-3300
Email: conslisbon@state.gov
Website: https://pt.usembassy.gov/
For additional information re traveling in Portugal, please see Portugal International Travel Information (state.gov)
