Portugal Visa
Traveling to Portugal
Portugal is increasingly popular with European and global tourists due to its beauty, variety of distinct cultural offerings, and excellent prices. Lisbon, its capital, is world-renowned for its colorful historical architecture, accessible culinary scene, and friendly locals.
You may need a visa to travel to Portugal, depending on where you are from (nationality), the length of your trip (duration of stay), and your reason for travel (type of visa needed). There are numerous types of visas for Portugal, which are valid for travel for specific purposes and times. Different Portugal visas have different Portugal visa requirements and validity periods.
In general, Portugal visas can be divided into two main categories: short stay visas and long stay visas (a long stay visa for Portugal is required for those looking to spend more than 90 days in the country).
Another main distinction relates to allowed entries: a single entry will allow you just one entry into the country; a multiple entry visa for Portugal will let you enter and exit as many times as needed.
Portugal visa types
Short Term Visas (Type C)
Seasonal work visa
Schengen Visas
- Business
- Cultural
- Medical
- Official Visit
- Other
- Sports
- Study
- Tourism (Portugal Tourist visa)
- Visiting Family or Friends
Transit Visa (Type A)
- Portugal Transit visa
Long Term Visas (Type D, National)
The below long stay visas to Portugal are temporary stay visas, which allows you to remain in the country for up to one year. They include the following:
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- Health
- Medical treatment
- Accompany a family member undergoing medical treatment
- Professional training, internship, or volunteer work
- Professional training
- Transfer of workers or service providers (short)
- Transfer of workers or service providers (long)
- Unpaid internship
- Volunteer work
- People living on their own income
- People living on their own income
- Retired
- Religious purposes
- Religious training within a religious congregation
- Religious person studying at an institution
- Study (Portugal Student visa)
- Bachelor, Master, PhD, Post Doc
- Secondary education
- Mobility program or exchange program
- Temporary Stay Work visas:
- Amateur sports activity
- Investigation
- Transfer of workers or service providers
- Show business and performing arts
- Subordinate seasonal work
- Independent work
- Highly qualified activity
- Professorial activity
- Youth mobility
- Work and holiday/exchange pursuant to international instruments
Visa for longer term stays (for stays of over one year)
- Residency visa to Portugal
Portugal visa requirements
The following documents are typically required for all visas to Portugal:
Passport
Official, government-issued document, not older than 10 years, with the correct validity length (a minimum three months past the intended day of exit from Portugal)
Visa fee
Your Portugal visa fee will depend on the type of visa you are applying for, and possibly other factors, such as your age. Schengen visa fees are 80 EUR for most applicants; national visa fees are either 75 EUR or 90 EUR, for a temporary stay visa and residency visa, respectively.
Personal photos
Two recently taken photos of the applicant. Photos should be passport style (and have passport dimensions). You will likely upload these photos electronically; alternatively, you will be asked to submit physical copies
Additional documents:
You will almost certainly have to submit additional documents on your Portugal visa application. Requested documents are typically those which help visa authorities confirm your identity, determine the truthfulness of your stated purpose of travel, and assess your financial state. The type of Portugal visa you apply for will determine your supplemental documents, which may include the following:
Biographical documents
Identity documents, such as your birth certificate
Financial materials
Documents showing your finances, such as your bank balance
Accommodation
Information about where you will stay in Portugal
Educational materials
Proof of university education, etc.
Proof of medical insurance
Please note that all documents may need to be written in Portuguese or English (or accompanied by official translations into either).
Portugal visa application
Applicants for Portugal visas should follow these general steps, which may vary slightly depending on numerous factors, including visa type and application destination.
- Prepare your visa application
Choose your visa duration
Determine how long you intend to be in Portugal i.e. what type of Portugal visa you need: long, short, or airport. This will determine how you proceed with the subsequent application steps.
Select your Portugal visa purpose
Choose your reason for travel (medical, work, etc.)
Select your entry category
Your selection of the single entry visa for Portugal or the multiple entry visa for Portugal will determine whether or not you may travel in and out of the country/Schengen area throughout your visa period. Consider that holders of the single-entry visa for Portugal cannot return to the country after exiting.
Determine where to apply
Find the physical destination for your application (the Portugal Embassy/ Consulate or associated visa-application center where you live). See “where to apply” for more info. - Fill out your visa application
Access your main application form
Most applicants should apply for their Portugal visa online, through the official visa portal system here. If you are unable to access the online form due to your application destination, you will likely apply directly through your local Portugal mission by submitting either the universal Schengen visa form or the long term Portuguese visa form. Regardless of how you apply (online or in person) you will typically need to officially submit your application through your application destination in order to fulfill various in-person requirements.
Gather the rest of your documents
Gather your required documents as well as the supplemental ones required for your specific Portugal visa type. - Pay your Portugal visa fee
Depending on the type of visa you are applying for, you may be able to pay for your visa at this stage of the application (online). Alternatively, you will be asked to submit payment at step 4 (your visa interview).
- Schedule your visa interview appointment
Almost all Portugal visa applicants, even those who apply online, must attend a visa appointment at their application. Scheduling a Portugal visa interview can take days, weeks, or even months if you apply through the Portugal visa portal, you may able to schedule your interview online. Alternatively, you may need to reach out your application destination directly (via email/phone) to make an appointment.
- Attend your visa interview
This is where you will submit your biometric information, be interviewed, and meet other requirements pertaining to your visa type. This is typically the final stage of the Portugal visa application process; you will either be granted a visa upon the conclusion of your appointment, receive a rejection, or leave to await a decision.
Please note that certain visas may require subsequent steps (for example, if you are applying for a long term Portugal Business visa or Portugal Working visa you may need to apply for Portugal Work Permit other long term visas may require you to apply for a residence permit for Portugal. For more information about whether your Portugal Working visa application or Portugal Business visa application will subsequently require you to seek a Portugal Work Permit or a residence permit for Portugal, make sure to research the specific visa requirements for your specific visa type.
Where to apply for Portugal visa
Portugal visa application processing occurs at Portugal embassies and consulates (and their associated visa application centers) around the world. You will likely be able to apply for your visa to Portugal online). However, even online applicants must fulfill the in-person Portugal visa requirements, which can only be fulfilled at physical Portugal embassies/consulates and visa application centers. If you are outside of Portugal and are applying for a Portugal visa, you will apply through the Portugal embassy/consulate or visa application center where you live.
When to apply for a Portugal visa
Applicants for short-stay visas to Portugal are advised to submit their application a minimum of fourteen days before to their intended trip. And while applying well in advance is recommended, applying too early (i.e. over six months before departure) is discouraged.
Portugal visa processing time
The Portugal visa application processing time varies. Factors which determine how long it will take to get your visa include the following:
- Portugal visa type
- Application destination
- Your nationality
- The completeness of application
Depending on all of these factors, you could expect to receive a visa in days, weeks, or even months after you apply.
Portugal visa FAQ
Depending on where you are from, you may need a visa to enter the country, regardless of how long you intend to stay. Some nationalities do not need a visa to travel to Portugal. Regardless of your nationality, however, you will need a visa if you intend to stay in the country longer than 90 days and you are not an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen.
Get a travel document for Portugal (visa) by submitting an application to your local Portugal embassy/consulate/visa application center, meeting the visa requirements, and paying your visa fee.
The amount of money you need depends on the Schengen country you are visiting. You will likely need to show several months proof of salary/bank statements in order to meet the Schengen proof of funds requirement.
Choose from among the various types of Portugal visa you need to apply for (Portugal Student visa, Portugal Tourist visa) by considering your reason for travel and how long you want to stay in the country. These factors will determine the type of visa you need. In addition to visa type, you should also determine how many entries you need i.e. whether you need a multiple entry visa for Portugal or a single entry visa for Portugal.
Rejected Schengen visa applicants can appeal the decision, reapply, or apply for another travel document for Portugal (different Portugal visa, such as a Portugal Tourist visa).
