Portugal Tourist visa

Required Documents for a Portugal Schengen Visa

In addition to English and Portuguese, application forms for Portuguese visa applications are available in French, Russian, or Ukrainian. However, if your application comes with additional documents written in one of the three previously mentioned languages, they must be also be translated into either English or Portuguese.

Documents for a Portuguese visa application must be filled in using capital letters.

• Valid passport
  • At least 2 blank pages
  • With the applicant’s signature
  • Not more than 10 years old
  • Valid for at least 3 months after the expiration of the requested visa
  • Previous passport, if applicable
• Passport-sized photos
  • Size 3.5 x 4.5 cm
  • Plain white background
  • Taken within the past 6 months
  • Forward-facing with facial features visible and clear
• Completed application form
• Biometric data (Fingerprints)
• Portugal Schengen Visa fee
• Documents pertinent to your trip
  • Travel Itinerary or plan
  • Proof of return to the country of residence or forward ticket to another country
  • Reason for travel to Portugal
  • Flight reservations
  • Proof of financial means (bank statements over the last 3-month period, personal properties, and/or other assets)
  • Proof of accommodations (with booking reference number, location, and contact number of the hotel)
• Travel medical insurance
  • Valid through the entire visa period
  • Valid in all Schengen countries
  • Minimum coverage of 30,000 EUR must be purchased
  • Insurance conditions such as validity, duration, and extent of your coverage to be clearly stated on the confirmation letter or insurance document
• Employment letter with the following information:
  • Name and address of employer
  • Nature of employment
  • Starting date of employment
  • Salary
  • Purpose of travel
  • Duration of time off from work for travel
• Scans (copies) of:
  • Personal-ID page of passport.
  • Older Schengen visas (if relevant).
  • Residence permit (if relevant).
• Applicants below the age of 18 are required to submit the following additional requirements:
  • Copy of birth certificate
    • If the minor applicant is adopted, adoption documents are required
    • If the minor applicant's parents are divorced, divorce papers are required
    • If the minor applicant's parents are deceased, death certificates are required
  • Letter of consent from both parents or legal guardians
  • Passport copies of both parents or legal guardians
• It may also be necessary to submit supplementary documents in relation to your travel visa application.

 Portugal Schengen Visa Fees

The standard fee for the application of a Portuguese Schengen visa is 80 EUR. However, there are particular applicants who are exempted from fees, such as most student visas and visas for children below the age of 6. Applicants will probably have to pay a separate, non-refundable service payment with their application.

Portugal Visa Application Steps

1. Prepare all the required documents.
2. Select “Tourism” as the reason for travel on the visa application form.
3. Decide the number of entries needed to Portugal or the Schengen area.
4. Fill out the application form.
   • Depending on the Portuguese consulate or visa processing center, applications and procedures may vary. Applicants may be eligible to submit their applications through the online Portuguese E-Visa portal.
   • Register if you’re a new user or log in if you’re already registered.
   • Answer a short questionnaire about your nationality, country of residence, and type of visa you want to apply for. This will determine if you should proceed with your application through the portal. Those eligible can proceed with filling out the application online.
   • Applicants not eligible for Portugal’s E-visa should directly contact the consulate to ask how to access a Schengen application. Most likely, applicants have to download, fill out, print and submit a standard Schengen visa application form available on this link.
5. Schedule a visa appointment, if applicable.
   • Most applications require an in-person appointment at the nearest Portuguese Consulate or visa center in order to submit the application. Alternatively, applications may be submitted without prior appointment during normal operating hours. Contact the Portuguese Consulate or visa center to determine if there is a need to schedule an appointment.
6. Submit your Portuguese Schengen visa application.
   • Note: Applications must be submitted at least 15 days before the date of travel but not earlier than 6 months before the date of travel.
   • Generally, applications must be submitted in person to the Portuguese Consulate or visa processing center. However, there may be a few differences in the submission procedures.
   • Applicants will likely be required to submit their fingerprints (biometric data). Children below the age of 12 are exempted from biometric data collection, but facial photo capturing is a must, regardless of the applicant’s age.
   • Applicants may also be asked to come back on another date for an interview regarding their trip. The interview will most likely be scheduled 2 weeks after the application is submitted.
7. Pay the visa application fee.

When to Apply

Visa applications must be submitted at least 15 days before the travel date but not earlier than 6 months before the travel date.

Where to Apply for the Visa

Applications should be submitted either through the Portuguese Consulate or a visa application center that is connected with Portugal.

In countries without any Portuguese consulate, applications may be submitted through a Schengen state consulate representing the interests of a Portuguese consulate.

Applications should be submitted only in the country of citizenship or residence.

A valid reason is required for submitting applications to a consulate or visa processing center in a country where the applicant is not a resident but only legally present.

Applicants can check for the locations of Portuguese Consulates and Embassies here.

Portugal Schengen Visa Processing Time

Generally, it takes approximately 15 days to process Portugal Schengen visa applications. However, in some cases it might take as long as 45 days.

For approved visa applications:

Applicants must ensure that the information on the visa is complete and valid upon collection.

Applicants who have received their Schengen Visa for Portugal should remember the following things:

• Inform the Portuguese Consulate or visa application center of any change to your itinerary after submission is completed.
• The approval of a Schengen visa does not guarantee entry upon arrival to Portugal or other countries in the Schengen area.
• Additional documents pertaining to your financial means or accommodation may still be required to gain entry to Portugal or other Schengen areas.

For denied visa applications:

If your application for a Portuguese Schengen visa was rejected, you have the right to appeal by:

• Making a complaint against the consulate that rejected your visa application (must be within 15 days of the rejection)
• Making an appeal to the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs (must be within 30 days of the rejection)
• Making a request for the previous refusal to be overruled through Lisbon’s Administrative Court (only if the appeal to the Ministry was refused and must be within 3 months of receiving the rejection)

A non-refundable fee must be paid for the appeal to be processed.