Portugal has one of the lowest rates of serious crime in Europe. The street dealers around Rossio and Cais do Sodré are selling oregano and crushed chalk, not drugs; the genuine risk is pickpocketing on crowded trams and transport.
- Portugal has one of the lowest rates of serious crime in Europe.
- The street dealers around Rossio and Cais do Sodré are selling oregano and crushed chalk, not drugs.
- Because the material contains no controlled substance the police cannot arrest them for dealing - only fine them for unlicensed street trading.
- Ignore the approach completely and keep walking. That is the only thing that works.
- Pickpocketing is the genuine risk, especially on Lisbon's historic 28E tram, the buses to Belém and the tourist trams in Porto.
Safety and the most common scams
Portugal has one of the lowest rates of serious crime in Europe.
- The fake-drugs approach: In central Lisbon - around Rossio, Rua Augusta, Praça do Comércio and Cais do Sodré - street sellers approach visitors offering "marijuana" or "cocaine". What they are actually selling is pressed herbs (oregano, bay leaf) or crushed chalk. Because the material contains no controlled substance, the police (PSP) cannot arrest them for drug dealing; they can only issue a fine for unlicensed street trading. The only thing that works is to ignore the approach completely and keep walking.
- Pickpocketing: Occurs on crowded transport, especially Lisbon's historic 28E tram, buses heading to Belém, and the tourist trams in Porto.
- Taxi price manipulation: Some conventional taxi drivers at the airport try to charge invented flat rates or baggage fees without running the meter.
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