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Travel Insurance Azores

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Azores Country Guide

  1. CountryFacts
  2. Health
  3. Media
  1. Intro
  2. Geography
  3. People
  4. Travel
  5. Embassies & Visas
  6. Finance
  7. Cities/Regions

Quick Facts

Region: A cluster of islands near Portugal in the Atlantic Ocean
Full Name: Full Name: Autonomous Region of the Azores (Região Autónoma dos Açores)
Capital City: Ponta Delgada, Angra do Heroísmo, and Horta
Language Spoken: Portuguese

Azores Travel Insurance

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Geographic data

37? 44’28” N 25?

Elevation Extremes

Highest Point: 2,351m (7,713ft)
Lowest Point: 0m (0ft) Atlantic Ocean

Land Boundaries

No land boundaries - archipelago

Natural Hazards

Mudslides and flooding caused by heavy rainfall; Earthquakes and underwater Eruptions; Forest fires.

Natural Resources

Fish, clay, marble, salt, tin and copper are just some of many natural resources Portugal and The Azores provide.

Land use

(Portugal)
Arable Land: 11.88%
Permanent Crops: 7.71%
Other: 80.41% (2011)

Environmental Current Issues

The Azores currently suffer from the environmental impact of tours, some of the issues include: excess rubbish left by tourists; the pollution that is created by the tourists busses, planes, taxis, boats etc that are used within the tours; influences on the local culture; and the damage to wildlife habitats from footpaths. However, they are trying to combat these issues by: recycling when possible; passing on their environmental policies; and purchasing local goods when possible.

Climate

Due to The Azores being out in the Atlantic Ocean, the islands have frequent rainfall, which helps their famous greenery to bloom. Due to their location, the islands have mild temperatures throughout the year, which range between 11 and 26? c. However, The Gulf Stream that is pushed North Easterly from The Gulf of Mexico benefits the islands, as it can make the weather conditions fairly humid.

Time Difference

The United Kingdom is 1 hour ahead of The Azores.

Population

245,746 (2012) Census 2011

Age structure

(Portugal)
0- 14 years: 15.9% (male 893,902/female 821,062)
15-24 years: 11.4% (male 654,102/female 579,440)
25-54 years: 42.2% (male 2,304,503/female 2,260,556)
55-64 years: 11.9% (male 599,380/female 685,279)
65 years and over: 18.6% (male 824,062/female 1,191,548) (2014 est.)

Median Age

(Portugal)
Total: 41.1 years
Male: 39 years
Female 43.3 years (2014 est.)

Population Growth Rate

Results from a 2011 Census show that the resident population of The Azores Islands have risen by 1.79% over the last ten years.

Birth Rate

The Azores had the highest birth rate in 2007 out of all of the Portuguese regions - 11.7 births to one thousand inhabitants.

Death rate

(Portugal)
10.97 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Net Migration Rate

(Portugal)
2.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Sex Ratio

(Portugal)
At Birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
Total Population: 0.95 male (s)/female (2014 est.)
0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.13 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
Total Population: 0.95 male (s)/female (2014 est.)

Life Expectancy at Birth

(Portugal)
Total Population: 79.01 years
Male: 75.76 years
Female: 82.47 years (2014 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

(Portugal)
1.52 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Business Practices

It is typical to give presents to clients and customers in the Portuguese business industry, and it is seen as rude to refuse them.

Presentation plays a significant part in the business industry in Portugal. It is advisable to present yourself well when taking part in business exchanges.

Crime

There are few signs of poverty in The Azores, and there are not many recordings of crimes against tourists. It is a crime to import products including drugs, offensive weapons, firearms,protected plants and animals etc. as they are prohibited.

Crime is very limited in The Azores. Any crime that does take place is usually petty thievery. The British FCDO warn tourists to be aware of street crime. They say that thieves usually target passports and money. To prevent this from happening to you, The FCDO advise you not to keep all of your valuables in the same place.

Hotels

The Azores has many quality hotels including some rated at a Platinum level by leading Tour Operator Thomson. There are also smaller hotels, hostels and B&B’s across the islands.

Communications

Although telephone and mobile connections are similar to mainland Portugal, they are not as seismic as mainland Portugal. You can also access internet connection in many of the hotels.

Electricity

The standard European with two round pins are used in The Azores.

Plug Types

Type C and E

Food and Dining

The Azorean cuisine is very flavourful and rich, with a rustic feel to it. The Mediterranean is a big influence on Portuguese and Azorean cuisine, with seafood playing a main ingredient in many of their dishes.

Entry/Departure Requirements

The Azores do not have any specific requirements at this time.

Visa Immigration Information

British Nationals can stay in The Azores for a limitless amount of time, however, after three months, it is crucial that you register with local authorities.

Passports

British Nationals need a passport in order to enter The Azores. The validity of the passport must be able to cover the length of stay.

Visas

British Nationals can stay in The Azores for a limitless amount of time, however, after three months, it is crucial that you register with local authorities.

Types of Visa and Cost

Visas are not needed if you are a British National. However they are needed if you are Australian, Canadian or American and plan to stay in The Azores for more than 90 days. Temporary stay Visas normally cost around €75. Temporary Stay Visa allows you to enter The Azores multiple times within a four month period.

Validity

Passport validity must be able to cover the length of your trip.

Application to

Contact the Portuguese Embassy.

Application requirements

N/A

Working Days Required

When applying for a Visa for The Azores, you should allow 15 days in order for it to be processed. However, for some nationalities, the application for their Visa to be processed could take up to two months.

HIV Entry Requirements

There are no entry requirements to Portuguese territories for a traveller with HIV.

Departure tax

There is no departure tax when exiting the Azores.

Embassies

Embassy of Portugal in The UK
Address: 3 Portland PI, London, W1B 3HR
Tel: 020 7291 3770
Website: www.portuguese-embassy.co.uk

Embassy of Portugal in The USA
Address: 2012 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036, United States.
Tel: +1 202-350-5400
Website: http://www.embassyportugal-us.org/Embassy_of_Portugal/Home

British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

The British FCDO warn travelers to treat life guards beach flags with seriousness, as there are swimming pool and sea deaths each year.

It is also recommended to be alert over any suspicious behaviour as there is an underlying terrorism threat to Portugal.

Website: http://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal

US Department of State

Website: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3208.htm

Currency

The currency of The Azores is the Euro.

Currency Restrictions

You are able to import Euros and other currencies with no restrictions. However, if you import more than EUR 4,987.98, then this needs to be declared, so that you do not face any problems when departing.

You must also declare any equivalent currency more than EUR 10,000, if you are travelling to or from a country outside the European Union. Banker’s drafts and cheques exceeding this rule also need to be declared.

Banking Hours

Banks in The Azores are usually open from Monday to Fridays between the hours of 8:30am to 15:30pm. Some banks may close for a lunch break.

Currency Exchange

Often near tourist attractions, or somewhere many tourists pass, you will most likely find currency conversion booths appearing. These booths will help to you to change up your money, however, the nearer they are to tourist attractions, the more likely it is that they will offer you a worse rate than somewhere away from the attraction.

Credit Cards

Credit Cards such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express are approved and accepted across the islands. Many petrol stations normally accept both Credit Cards and Cash too. In many Supermarkets and shopping areas in larger towns, there will be cash machines with English instructions on how to use them. There is a set rule of taking out a maximum of €200 at a time.

Travellers Cheques

Travellers Cheques are easily exchanged.

  1. Health Information
  2. Recent Disease Outbreak
  3. Hospital Database

Dental Care

For tourists, dental care and treatments will most likely have to be paid for. As well as private travel insurance, each British National should have an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). You can get your EHIC by phone (0845 606 2030), online or from the Post Office. An EHIC will allow you to access free or discounted health care when abroad in another European Union country.

Medication Availability

Pharmacies are readily available around The Azores Islands. However, it would be very sensible to make sure that you pack enough medication to cover your trip in order to prevent any emergencies.

Blood Supplies

N/A

Medical Facilities

The Azorean hospitals are contemporary and are up to the same standards of the average European hospital. Some of the Azorean Islands have restricted medical services, so some emergency cases are flown to nearby islands including Faial and Terceira.

General Caution

The tap water in hotels is generally safe to drink, however, if you have any doubts, bottled mineral water is widely available.

Specific Concerns

The are currently no specific concerns.

Immunization

Any travellers travelling to The Azores, or The Madeira Islands, who are over the age of one, are required to produce a certificate to prove that they have been vaccinated against Yellow Fever, if they are arriving from an affected area.

Disease Risk Summary

There are currently no major disease risks across The Azores.

Entry requirements

There are currently no entry requirements.

Recent disease outbreaks

No recent disease outbreaks

Hospitals and Medical Centres across The Azores:

Name Address Telephone
Hospital da Horta Address: Estrada Principal Alberto Mónaco, 9900-038 Horta Tel: +375 292 201 000
Centro De Saúde Da Ilha Das Flores Address: Largo 25 de Abrl Tel: +351 292 590 270
Centro De Saúde Da Ilha Pico Address: Praç a Doutor Mendonça, 9950 Madalena Tel: +351 292 628 800
Centro De Saude De Santa Cruz Da Graciosa Address: Avenida Mouazinho Albuquerque 9880-320 Santa Cruz da Graciosa Tel: +352 295 730 070
Centro De Saúde De São Roque Address: Avenida António S. Costa Tel: +351 292 648 070
Centro De Saúde De Velas Tel: +351 292 412 122
Centro De Saude De Vila Do Porto Address Avenida Santa Maria 9580-501 Vila Do Porto Tel: +351 296 820 100
Hospital De Santo Espírito De Angra Do Heroísmo Address: Canada Barreiro. 9700-027 Angra do Heroísmo Tel: +351 295 403 200
Hospital Divino Espríito Santo Address: Rua Da Grotinha, 9500-370 Ponta Delgada Tel: +351 296 203 000
Posto De Saude Do Corvo Tel: +351 292 596 153

Public radio and television services are controlled and run by Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP). Some of the television channels are RPT1, dios and SIC.