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=== Crossing the border ===
Portugal borders only with Spain. The rest of the country is surrounded by the Atlantic ocean. Portugal has signed the [[Schengen Agreement]] which means that borders with Spain are open. At times, there are mobile checks by the police or customs, especially in border regions like [[Vilar Formoso]].
=== Crossing Spain to get to Portugal ===
If you just want to get to Portugal from somewhere in Europe (or vice-versa), you'll want to to keep your hitch journey in Spain as short and quick as possible. This will happen by sticking to the the main road (AP-1 and A-62, Autovía de Castilla) from Bayonne/San Sebastian to Salamanca / Vilar Formoso (the portuguese border near Guarda). Even if you come from, say, Montpellier, it's recommended to hitch up to Bayonne and cross the basque country.
A good technique is to stay in one of the last service stations on the A63 in France before the spanish border, and wait for someone who can take you all to way to Portugal. Portuguese plates (1/3 of portuguese nationals live outside Portugal) or tourists (20 million invaded Portugal in 2016) will pass there.
Otherwise, don't let your drivers drop you at just any gas station along the way - try your best to stick to busy ones (on the right side and near the highway, Repsol and Galp).
If your ride is only taking you to somewhere near Vilar Formoso border and you want to go further in Portugal, stay at the last Cepsa gas station on the right side of the road, 5kms before the border. Gas is cheaper in Spain, and many cars fill up their tanks in there before entering Portugal.
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