How to Send a Postcard from Lisbon to the United States, Everything You Need to Know (Using the Openmail Service in Portugal)

There’s a very specific kind of joy in sending a postcard—at least for me. If you’re anything like me, you’re always chasing that feeling: a little nostalgia, a little romance, a way to bottle up a moment from a place you never want to forget. That’s why, no matter where I am in the world, my favorite travel ritual is sending postcards home to as many friends and family as I can. No exceptions.

But if you have ever tried to send a postcard from Europe, you already know the truth. It is a gamble. Sometimes it arrives weeks later. Sometimes it never shows up at all.

That is exactly why sending a postcard from Lisbon to the United States surprised me.

The Fast Portuguese Postal Service: Verified June 2025

In Portugal, there is a separate, special mail delivery service called Openmail (NOT CTT) with its own rules to follow. To be completely honest, at first I thought it was a scam. But, it couldn't be worse than the traditional mail service, right? In London and Amsterdam on past trips, I have only used the traditional mail services with 50/50 results (my mom never got hers, and neither did my best friend), so in Portugal I wanted to see if this new system would perhaps be better.

This service works as advertised, and every postcard I sent while in Lisbon (yes, all 12 of them) arrived safely to their destinations, from remote towns in Iowa and North Carolina to big cities in Colorado, New York, Minnesota, and Georgia.

Here is exactly how to send a postcard to the United States from Lisbon:

1. Where to Get Your Lisbon Postcard & Proper Postage

2. What Postage Does My Postcard Need to Travel from Lisbon to the United States?

3. Dropping of your Postcard: Lisbon Tourist Shop Box Mail System

4. How Long Does it Take to Receive a Post Card in the United States from Lisbon

5. How Much Does Sending a Postcard from Lisbon to the United States Cost

6. Who Should I Send a Postcard to? Uncovering the Best Souvenir

Where to Get Your Lisbon Postcard & Proper Postage

Finding a postcard in Lisbon is the easiest part of this entire experience. You will find them everywhere, from small family-run souvenir shops in Alfama to curated boutiques in Chiado.

My advice? Skip the overly glossy, generic designs and go for something that actually feels like Lisbon.

• Hand-painted azulejo tile designs

• Vintage yellow tram illustrations

• Minimalist city scenes or tram-scapes

These are the ones people actually keep.

Most importantly, many of these shops also double as mailing points for the tourist postal system, which means you can handle everything in one place.

What Postage Does My Postcard Need to Travel from Lisbon to the United States via Openmail?

I know what you are thinking... these stamps look fake right? Have no fret. These are specific stamps for the private service Openmail provides. Each stamp features a cultural icon of Lisbon and Portugal. These monuments include: Trams, Tiles, Pastel de Natas, Fado Guitars, and other historic landmark.

These stamps are meant to be used for special mailboxes, but there is no problem if, accidentally, you drop your mail in a CTT mailbox; there is a bilateral agreement between OPENMAIL and CTT companies to make sure your mail always reaches its home.

Dropping of your Postcard: Lisbon Tourist Shop Box Mail System

The Openmail system in Lisbon makes sending a postcard easy. Within the same store you bought the postcard and the stamp, you will also find the mailbox. Do not worry if you don't see it right away, they are typically hidden or behind the store counter. Most shop owners are happy to help you find it or ask you to hand it over to drop it in the box.

I will say initially, I was uncomfortable with just handing over my sincere notes to a stranger who had the box safely behind the counter . But, seeing as they arrived home - your notes are in good hands. Shop owners want to ensure they help your postcard arrive because it is good for business. If you have any questions feel free to ask someone that works in the shop.

How Long Does it Take to Receive a Post Card in the United States from Lisbon

While sending your postcard through the Openmail system is considerably faster than traditional mail services tend to be, your postcard is still looking at 4-6 weeks of transit time from Lisbon to the United States.

I sent my postcards all at different times in the city while in Lisbon over the course of one month. Each card arrived a few days apart indicating that this service is reliable and consistently run to the United States.

If you use the Openmail system it is less likely for your postcard to be lost before it even leaves the country. When I sent a postcard from London through the postal service only 2/5 postcards arrived safely. That was not good odds, and something I did not want to happen again.

How Much Does Sending a Postcard from Lisbon to the United States Cost

Sending a postcard from Lisbon using the tourist mail system is typically very affordable. Every tourist shop selling the stamps and postcards reserve the right to charge their own rate. Different areas in town may charge different rates. This is okay and to be expected.

Postcard: €1 to €3

Delivery service: €1.50 to €3

So in total, you should plan to spend spend around €3 to €6 per postcard to send it internationally to the United States (from my trip in June 2025).

For a personalized sentimental souvenir, this felt completely worth it to me.

Who Should I Send a Postcard to? Uncovering the Best Souvenir

If you are not sure who to send a postcard to, start with yourself.

There is something about receiving a message from a past version of yourself that feels different from any other souvenir. It is more personal, more emotional, and honestly more lasting than anything else you might be able to buy. Hand written correspondence is not something that people typically do anymore. Receiving a piece of mail other than a bill will make you (or your friends) feel like a million bucks.

Of course, postcards are also perfect for:

• Parents and grandparents

• Your best friend

• Your partner back home

But the real magic is in slowing down long enough to write one.

In a world where everything is instant, a postcard forces you to pause. To reflect. To capture a moment before it disappears into your camera roll. And a few weeks later, when it shows up in your mailbox, you get to relive that exact version of yourself again.

Final Thoughts: Is Sending a Postcard from Lisbon Worth It?

Yes. Completely.

It is easy, affordable, and surprisingly reliable when using the Openmail service.

But more than that, it is meaningful. Out of everything you can bring home from Lisbon, this might be the only souvenir that gets better with time.