Portugal Address Format With Examples
Portugal, a picturesque country in Southern Europe, is known for its rich maritime history, stunning coastline, and vibrant culture. Bordered by Spain and the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal’s dynamic geography and infrastructure have influenced its postal addressing standards. Whether you’re a business sending invoices, an individual shipping a package, or an organization managing bulk mailings, understanding Portugal’s address format is essential.
Let’s explore how to structure an address in Portugal for various scenarios, complete with practical examples and insights.
Portugal Address Format Breakdown
Recipient Name
Include the recipient’s full name on the first line while addressing a mailer or package. If you are sending the mailers to a business, write the company name first, followed by the recipient’s name or department.
Example
JOÃO SILVA
Or
PORTUGAL TRADING CO.
ATTN: JOÃO SILVA
Street Address or PO Box (Apartado)
Write down the street name and house/building number for residential or business addresses. If your recipient relies on a Post Office Box, write “C.P.” (Caixa Postal) and then include the box number. For rural areas, descriptive phrases may be used to clarify location.
Example
RUA DA PRAIA, 456, 1º ESQ
Or
C.P. 45
Postal Code and City/Town
Portugal relies on a seven-digit postal code system in the format of XXXX-XXX. Write down the city or town name after mentioning the postal code. Lisbon, Braga, Coimbra, and Porto are some major cities in Portugal.
EXAMPLE
1200-456 LISBON
Or
8500-123 LAGOS
Country Name
Write the country name in the last line. If you are sending international mail, always write the country name in capital letters.
Example
PORTUGAL
Special Considerations to Write a Salvadoran Address
- Address Placement: Write the address on the bottom right corner of the envelope.
- Address Line Alignment: The address lines should be left aligned.
- Language: Portuguese is the official language of Portugal, every address must be written in Portugal for domestic mail. However, English is acceptable for international mail.
- Rural Addressing: Street names are less common in rural areas. It is recommended to use village names near larger towns to ensure successful deliveries. Landmarks: In rural areas, include nearby landmarks for precise delivery.
- Landmarks: In rural areas, include nearby landmarks for precise delivery.
- Capitalization: For clarity and legibility write the whole address in the capital letter.
Examples of Different Types of Polish Address Format
Residential Address Format
Write the recipient’s name, street address or PO box number, postal code, city/town, and country for residential addresses.
Example
JOANA PEREIRA
RUA DO CASTELO, 45
2500-123 ÓBIDOS
PORTUGAL
Rural Address Format
For rural areas without formal street names, include a recognizable landmark and the nearest town or village.
Example
MARIA DA SILVA
CASA AO LADO DO MERCADO MUNICIPAL
7100-999 ESTREMOZ
PORTUGAL
Business Address Format
Begin with the company name, followed by the recipient’s name and department. Use the standard format for the remaining address components. To ensure that the internal distribution system sends mail to the correct office and desk, write ATTN in front of the name.
Example
PORTO EXPORTS
ATTN: MIGUEL FERREIRA
RUA DAS NAUS, 78, 3º DTO
4100-234 PORTO
PORTUGAL
International Address Format for NGOs and Organizations
For international organizations or NGOs operating in Portugal, include the name of the organization followed by the specific department or program.
Example
WORLD WILDLIFE FUND
ATTN: ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PROGRAM
RUA DO MEIO, 56
1400-123 LISBOA
PORTUGAL
PO Box Address Format
For letters sent to a Post Office Box, replace the street address with the PO Box (Caixa Postal) number.
Example
LUÍS MENDES
CAIXA POSTAL 123
1249-999 LISBOA
PORTUGAL
Military Address Format
When addressing mail to military personnel in Portugal, include the name, rank, unit, and specific base details. Military addresses often rely on the same postal system as civilian addresses but may include specific designations to identify the unit or location.
Example
CAPITÃO JOÃO FERREIRA
UNIDADE 15, BASE MILITAR DE SINTRA
RUA PRINCIPAL, 45
2710-123 SINTRA
PORTUGAL
Government Office Address Format
When addressing mail to government offices in Portugal, ensure to include the name of the office or department before listing the street address or PO Box.
Example
MINISTÉRIO DA JUSTIÇA
PALÁCIO DA JUSTIÇA
AVENIDA DOM CARLOS I, 134
1200-651 LISBOA
PORTUGAL
Address for Multiple Recipients Format
When sending mail to multiple recipients at the same address, list each recipient’s name on separate lines for clarity. This format is particularly useful for families, roommates, or specific individuals within a business or organization.
| Example (for Family) | Example (for Businesses) |
| JOÃO SILVA
MARIA SILVA RUA DAS FLORES, 123, 2º ESQ 1200-456 LISBOA PORTUGAL |
PORTO TECH HUB
ATTN: PEDRO SOARES ATTN: ANA MOURA RUA NOVA DE CARVALHO, 45 4000-321 PORTO PORTUGAL |
Address Format for Courier Services
When sending parcels via courier services like DHL, FedEx, or UPS in Portugal, include detailed contact information to ensure accurate delivery. This is especially useful in rural or hard-to-reach areas.
Example
CARLOS SOUSA
RUA DAS FLORES, 123, 2º ESQ
1200-456 LISBOA
PORTUGAL
PHONE NO. +351 912 345 678
Postal Information
The postal system in Portugal is managed by “CTT – Correios de Portugal”, a renowned institution with a history dating back to 1520. Initially established under royal decree, CTT has evolved into a modern entity offering comprehensive postal and logistics services.
As Portugal’s official postal operator, CTT manages domestic and international mail, parcel delivery, financial services, and ecommerce. Its extensive network ensures coverage across urban and rural areas, facilitating connectivity and communication nationwide. Over the years, CTT has adapted to technological advancements, integrating digital solutions to enhance efficiency and customer experience while maintaining its pivotal role in Portuguese commerce and society.
| No. of Administrative Areas | Districts-18 |
| Administrative Area Names and Abbreviations | Aveiro (AV)
Beja (BE) Braga (BR) Bragança (BG) Castelo Branco (CB) Coimbra (CO) Évora (EV) Faro (FA) Guarda (GU) Leiria (LE) Lisboa (Lisbon) (LI) Portalegre (PT) Porto (PO) Santarém (SA) Setúbal (SE) Viana do Castelo (VC) Vila Real (VR) Viseu (VI) |
| Postal Language | Portuguese |
| Postal Service Provider | Correios de Portugal |
Country Information
| Country/Territory Name | Portugal |
| Capital | Lisbon |
| Major Cities | Lisbon
Braga Porto Aveiro Cascais |
| Endonym | Portugal |
| ISO Codes | ISO 3166-1 numeric code- 620
ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code- PT ISO 3166-1 alpha 3 country code- PRT |
Population Information
| Total Population | 10,419,251(as of November 2024) |
| Urban Population | 7,147,342 |
| Rural Population | 3,378,005 |
| Official Language | Portuguese |
| Commonly Spoken Languages | Portuguese |
PostGrid’s Address Verification Solution
So you have learned how to structure the address format to a recipient in Portugal. But to ensure your address is reaching the intended recipient, you need a verified address. PostGrid address verification solution verifies, standardizes, and offers address autocomplete suggestions in real-time. Whether you want to verify a single address or bulk address, we provide correct, complete, and up-to-date addresses in sync with the official postal service provider for over 245 countries and territories.
Check the Format of More Countries
If you are curious about the format of any other country, visit our international address format page and learn the address format followed in countries around the world.
