In most ways, switching from smoking to vaping simplifies your life. You smell better, for instance, and you also save a lot of money. Traveling, though, is one thing that becomes a bit more difficult when you vape – and if you’re planning on bringing your vapes to Portugal, you need to know what to expect beforehand.
Being a member state of the European Union, Portugal abides by the rules in the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). The TPD is stricter than some other countries’ vaping regulations in certain ways, so it’s important to understand the differences from your country if you don’t live in the EU. Portugal also has a high vape juice tax of €.30 per ml, so you’ll save money if you bring all of the vape gear that you expect to use during your trip.
Are you a vaper who wants to visit Portugal? Here’s what you need to know first.
What Are the Vaping Regulations in Portugal?
If you want to understand the vaping laws in Portugal, it all starts with understanding the Tobacco Products Directive. Although member states are free to set stricter laws if they wish, the TPD sets basic requirements for all vaping products throughout the EU. Those requirements are:
- The largest allowable size for a bottle of e-liquid containing nicotine is 10 ml.
- The highest allowable nicotine strength for any vaping product is 20 mg/ml.
- The largest allowable size for a vape tank or vape pod – either empty or pre-filled – is 2 ml.
In addition to those rules:
- You must be 18 years of age in order to buy vaping products in Portugal.
- Vaping isn’t allowed in Portugal in places where smoking isn’t allowed.
- Online sales of vaping products aren’t allowed in Portugal.
Will You Be Able to Find Vape Juice, Pods and Coils in Portugal?
It’s estimated that there are around 90 vape shops in Portugal at the time of writing. That’s down from 160 vape shops as of 2017. It’s possible that the reduced demand for vaping products has something to do with Portugal’s high tax on e-liquids and low cigarette prices. In any case, there are still enough vape shops that you should have little trouble finding vape juice, pods and coils if you need them. The brands that are popular in Portugal are the same brands that are popular everywhere else, so you can expect to see plenty of supplies from popular companies like Vaporesso, Voopoo, Geekvape and SMOK.
One quirk of Portugal’s vaping industry is that disposable vapes are almost nonexistent there. If you prefer disposable vapes and don’t want to use anything else, you should plan to bring enough vapes to last your entire trip.
Where Can You Vape in Portugal?
As is the case in many other nations, Portugal’s laws treat smoking and vaping much the same. In other words, you’re not allowed to vape where you can’t smoke. That includes most public spaces – so if you want to vape in public, you’ll want to make sure that you’re in a designated smoking area. Remember that violating a public smoking ban can potentially subject you to a fine.
- If you rent a car, you’ll want to check the rental company’s policies on smoking and vaping before you vape in the car.
- You’ll also want to check the hotel’s policies before vaping in your room. Some hotels do have designated rooms where vaping and smoking are allowed. Don’t break the rules because it has become increasingly common for hotels to install smoke detectors that can also detect vapor.
How Should You Pack Your Vapes When Flying to Portugal?
If you’re planning to fly to Portugal, you need to make sure that your vapes are packed correctly for the flight. This is another area where vaping isn’t quite as simple as smoking because you can’t just throw your vape gear into your pocket as you could with a pack of cigarettes. You need to make sure that your vapes are correctly packed in order to avoid a problem when you go through airport security. Here’s what you need to know.
- Your vaping device or devices should always go in your carry-on bag. If your device has a removable battery, it’s safest to remove the battery and put it in a separate carrier. If you can’t remove the battery, make sure that the device is turned off. Due to the potential fire risk, you’re never allowed to fly with a vaping device – or any battery-powered device – in your checked luggage. You may be allowed to carry a vape in your pocket, but it’s up to the official at the security checkpoint to make that determination.
- Spare batteries need to go in your carry-on bag. Also, you should put your batteries in a padded carrier that protects them from damage and ensures that they can’t touch other metal items.
- Bottled e-liquid or pre-filled vape pods can go in your carry-on bag or checked luggage. There’s no specific limit as to how much e-liquid you can bring into Portugal for personal use. If you bring your vape juice in your carry-on bag, though, you need to put it in a clear zip-top bag with your other liquids. That means your e-liquid needs to share the same space with things like your toothpaste and shampoo, so room might be limited. You can always put extra bottles in your checked luggage.
- Spare parts like replacement coils and empty pods have no restrictions and can be packed however you like.
Remember that if you do carry a vaping device in your pocket, you aren’t allowed to use or charge it on the plane. Don’t try to do something sneaky like vaping in the bathroom. It’s increasingly common for airplanes to have vape detectors in their bathrooms, and someone will definitely know what you’re trying to do. Remember that if you have a layover at an airport, you won’t be able to vape there either unless you’re able to find a designated smoking area.
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