We recently overheard an expat proclaim the following in a Portuguese office: “Getting my packages delivered here in Portugal is one of my biggest problems. It’s so hard to wait all day and never get your package. If I could just find a solution, life would be much easier.” His colleague then replied, “I just don’t order anything online here. Problem solved.”

If you’ve lived in Portugal for any period of time, you know the feeling – being told by CTT, the Portuguese post office, that you are due to receive a package – any time between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. You wait all day, never hear your doorbell ring, and then leave at 6:00 pm only to find a “package undelivered” slip in your mailbox from 3:22 pm, right when you were sure you were waiting patiently in your living room forgoing the use of your headphones.  

There are many reasons for package delivery issues in Portugal – from broken doorbells in city buildings to mailboxes that are too small to receive a package and non-delivery by CTT due to staff shortages. The struggle is real for many districts throughout Portugal so learning how to navigate around mail issues will undoubtedly help you throughout your time in Portugal. Let’s look at five alternative ways to receive packages in Portugal instead of waiting at home.

1. CTT’s Locky

CTT, Portugal’s national postal service and the same entity facing staff shortages and struggling to deliver packages, offers the Locky service, a network of smart lockers located across the country. This service allows you to have your parcels delivered to a nearby locker, which you can access at your convenience using a unique code sent to your phone or email. As of July 2024, there are 840 Locky lockers throughout the country including 444 in the Lisbon area and 318 in Porto. Locky lockers are typically located in easily accessible public places such as shopping centers and transport hubs. This option is ideal for those who cannot be at home to receive packages and prefer to collect them on their own schedule.

To use this service, use the CTT app or the CTT website to add your preferred Locky location. This will require you to log-in with your CTT account. Once you have added your Locky locker, use the address and the code provided with your name to have your package sent to the locker. When you place an online order, you will then receive a text that your package has been delivered and you can pick it up with the code. Please check the dimensions of your package and make sure that it does not exceed the biggest lockers available in your Locky locker. You have five days to pick up your package once you receive a text or email indicating that it has been delivered.

Receiving a package with Locky costs around €1.50 per package, but the service is still free for the time being.

2. DPD Pickup Points

DPD, a well-known international courier service, provides a network of 1500 Pickup Points throughout Portugal. These are typically located in local shops and convenience stores, making it easy to pick up your parcels while running other errands. You can find the nearest pickup point near you by providing your zip code. Once your package arrives, you will receive a notification and can collect it at a time that suits you. This service adds a level of flexibility and convenience, reducing the need to wait at home for deliveries. You can even track your package with Live Tracking by simply entering the parcel reference number – right down to the last 30 minutes.

The only downside here is that you can only pick up your package during store hours or the participating pickup point, unlike the Locky lockers which are available 24/7.

3. Vasp Expresso

Vasp Expresso is another service in Portugal that allows you to send and receive packages in a convenient way without waiting in any lines. Started back in 2011, the network covers more than 90% of municipalities in Portugal and they have more than 700 KIOS pickup and dropoff points near you. Admittedly, the website and app are harder to use than DPD, but this is a nice alternative if you are looking for more places in your area that DPD or Locky may not cover for receiving packages. 

4. Make Friends with a Local Shop

Building a relationship with a local shop can be an excellent way to manage your package deliveries. This may not be something you had to do back in your home country, but it helps make your life easier for package delivery in Portugal. Many small businesses are willing to receive parcels on behalf of their regular customers. I personally did this with a local grocery store across from my apartment building that remained open seven days a week. I simply walked in one day and asked if I could start sending my packages there. It proved to be a godsend when I was out of town for a few weeks and I still had packages that needed to be delivered. Though they didn’t ask, I gave the shop a tip when I picked up my packages.

The best part about this option is that you can potentially leave packages with the shop for as long as you need before you return from a trip. The downside, of course, is that you never know when your package may be opened by someone from the shop or taken without your knowledge. Sometimes, the shop may also not be able to sign on your behalf, which will still result in you needing to go and pick up a package elsewhere. The shops, of course, are also not open 24/7.

5. Make Friends with a Trustworthy Neighbor

Having a reliable neighbor who is often home can be a lifesaver when it comes to receiving packages. You can arrange for your deliveries to be sent to your neighbor’s address, ensuring that someone is always available to receive them. In return, you can offer to do the same for them. This would ideally be the best option as long as your neighbor doesn’t get annoyed with too many packages being delivered. A friend told me that this option works well for her because she lives in the same building with a family who are always at home. Unfortunately, for me, I only share my building with two other people who are often away, so I have had to resort to the small business option and CTT Locky. The downside here is also that you can only pick up packages at a time that is convenient for your neighbor, but you can’t beat the convenience in terms of location.

Final Thoughts

As we have seen from this article, receiving packages in Portugal doesn’t have to be a frustrating experience. By exploring these five different alternatives, you can hopefully find a solution that fits your lifestyle and ensures that you never miss a delivery again. Whether you opt for smart lockers, pickup points, or the friendly neighbor solution, these options give you much more flexibility and may also foster new relationships with people in your neighborhood. It may be a while before Portugal feels like a truly convenient place to receive packages, but hopefully, these options can reduce the hassle of the experience.

For sheer convenience, I prefer CTT’s Locky, except when a huge package needs to be delivered. Unfortunately, there is currently no convenient workaround for big items.