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Portugal
Your rights in case of defect products
Directive 1999/44/EC on the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees has been implemented by Portugal.As a result of this legislation, all consumers, who buy goods in Portugal have the right to a minimum guarantee of 2 years on products.
Within this period any lack of conformity or defect shall be presumed to have existed at the time of delivery, unless it is incompatible with the nature of the product or with the characteristics of the defect.
Within this period the consumer is entitled to have the goods brought into conformity free of charge. In the first place, the consumer may require the seller to repair the goods or he may require the seller to replace them, unless this is impossible or disproportionate.
Any repair or replacement shall be completed within a reasonable time and without any significant inconvenience to the consumer, taking account of the nature of the goods and the purpose for which the consumer required the goods. If this should not be possible the consumer is entitled to ask for a price reduction (smaller defects) or to have the contract rescinded.
Voluntary guarantees given by a producer do not restrict the statutory rights of consumers.
Exchange
Unless goods are faulty, a consumer does not have a legal right to an exchange. It is at the trader’s discretion.In modern shops exchange is a common practice although the consumer has to be informed beforehand of this possibility and be told the proof they will have to show when asking for an exchange, e.g. the receipt.
Pricing
The Portuguese currency is the euro.Prices must be visible, legible, and written on signboards, tags or lists.
The consumer can insist on getting the item for the same price as indicated on the price tag, but if the trader refuses there is no sanction.
All the prices are VAT (IVA in Portuguese) inclusive.
The trader is obliged to issue a receipt to the consumer.
Tax
On most goods a 19% value added tax -VAT (Imposto sobre o Valor Acrescentado – IVA) is charged in Portugal.In Madeira and Azores Islands the common VAT is of 13%.
The VAT on certain products like bread, books, magazines, and some medicines is 5% or 12%.
Methods of payment
The most common methods of payment in Portugal are cash, credit, and debit cards.When paying by credit card for relatively expensive goods, consumers may have to show identity card.
The sales
There are two set sale periods:Winter sales: 07/01 to 28/02.
Summer sales: 07/08 to 30/09
However, it is often the case that shops reduce prices during other times of the year too.
Opening times
Shops’ general opening hours are:
Monday – Friday: 09:00 – 13:00 & 15:00 - 19:00
Saturday: 09:00 / 10:00 - 13:00
The Shopping Centres are open every day, including Sundays, without interruption from 10:00 to 23:00 / 24:00.
Banks’ general opening hours are:
Monday – Friday: 08:30 - 15:00Saturday & Sunday: closed
Post Offices’ general opening hours are:
Monday – Friday: 09:00 - 18:00.
Saturday & Sunday: closed
The post offices in the airports of Lisbon Porto and Faro are open on Saturdays too.
Deposit
There is no deposit on cans and plastic bags. Generally in supermarkets there could be a deposit for some kind of bottles.Tourist information
Tourist information can be found via the following link to the official website for tourism and travel:http://www.dgturismo.pt
Tourists telephone: 800 296 296 (free phone).
Status: August 2004
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