Easy Steps to Apply For Portugal Visa
Portugal is a dream travel destination for many adventure seekers, and understandably so. The country teems with enchanting tourist attractions, including medieval towns, serene beaches, and a vibrant culinary scene.
Portuguese residents are also known for their unparalleled hospitality. Coupled with the nation’s favorable climate and relatively low crime rates, it’s understandable why millions of tourists troop to Portugal annually.
Expectedly, you’ll require a visa to enter Portugal. That’s unless you hold a passport that provides visa-free access to this Southern European country.
The good news is that Portugal maintains a straightforward visa application process. You only need to understand the available options, fill out some paperwork, and you’re good to go.
Below is a comprehensive guide on how to apply for a Portugal visa.
1. Know the Options
The first step in applying for a Portuguese visa is to understand the options available.
Until recently, Portugal was one of the nations that maintained a citizenship by investment (CBI) program. This initiative, known as the Portugal Golden Visa, allowed foreign nationals to obtain Portuguese citizenship through property investment worth at least €500,000 or by creating ten direct employment opportunities there.
The CBI program ended in October 2023. Alien investors interested in becoming legal Portuguese citizens can follow the Portugal Golden Visa news to stay abreast of emerging developments.
However, while Portugal no longer accepts citizenship via the Golden Visa initiative, obtaining a Portuguese visa is still quick and easy for interested applicants. You just have to determine the visa type you’re looking for.
Portugal lets you apply for different types of visas, including business, work, tourist, student, asylum, transit visa, etc. These visas fall into three distinct categories, depending on the expected duration of stay. They include:
- Short-stay Visas/Schengen Visas – Cover up to 90 days
- Temporary-stay Visas – Cover up to one year
- Long-stay Visas/Residency Visas – Cover stays for over one-year
2. Determine If You Need a Visa
Visa Conditions for EU/Schengen Citizens
Not everyone traveling into Portugal requires a visa.
Being members of the European Union (EU), tourists from other EU countries can enter Portugal visa-free. That privilege extends to certain relatives, even if they’re not necessarily from the EU.
As a citizen of an EU member state, you’re entitled to equal rights as legal Portuguese citizens when you live, study, or work in the country.
Portugal doesn’t maintain restrictive visa requirements for travelers from the Schengen Area either. Tourists from these countries only need their identification documents.
However, note that Portugal requires EU and Schengen Area travelers to file for a registration certificate if they stay in the country for over three months. EU citizens can request a permanent residence certificate after living consistently in Portugal for five years.
Visa Conditions for Non-EU/Schengen Citizens
Non-EU/Schengen nationals require a visa to visit Portugal unless the country maintains a visa-exempt agreement with Portugal.
As of March 2024, US citizens do not need a visa to enter Portugal, provided they plan to stay for no more than 90 days. The same rule applies to Singaporeans.
Other notable countries whose citizens can enter Portugal visa-free include Canada, the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Japan.
Non-EU travelers seeking to stay in Portugal longer than 90 days must apply for a residency visa before entering the country. Such tourists would also need to obtain a residency permit after arrival.
3. Follow the Laid-down Procedure
Once you’ve determined that you need a visa to enter Portugal, you can apply for the document by following the procedure below:
- Prepare the required documentation.
First, you’ll need a valid passport for at least three months from the last day you plan to leave Portugal or the Schengen Area. Most other general passport rules apply. For instance, the photo attached must be recent, professionally captured, and on a white background.
You’ll also require valid travel insurance that meets the Schengen requirements, including one with a medical cover of at least €30,000. Other necessary documents include proof of sufficient funds, accommodation arrangements, and a visa cover letter.
Special applicants may submit additional documentation as follows:
- Proof of employment or appointment letter (for work/business travelers)
- An admission or enrollment certificate (for student tourists)
- Pension certificate (for retirees)
- Letter of invitation from relatives (for family visas)
- Birth certificate, copy of parents/guardians’ passport, and consent letter from parents/guardians (for minors)
NOTE: All documents must be in English or Portuguese and duly notarized.
- Download and complete the visa application form from the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
- Submit the above documents.
The quickest way to submit your visa application documents is at the Portugal embassy or consulate.
- Pay the applicable fees.
Adults and children aged 12+ years pay €80 while children between 6 and 12 years pay €40. There are no charges for kids aged under 6 years.
- Collect your visa.
Portugal visa applications typically take 15 working days to be processed. However, the duration could be shorter or longer, depending on the intensity of due diligence required and volume of similar applications the embassy is currently handling.
Wrap Up
Portugal is endowed with numerous attractions that make it a top global tourist destination. The country provides visa-free entry to all EU and Schengen citizens, plus travelers from dozens of other international destinations. Even for those who need a visa, it’s relieving to know that Portugal maintains a straightforward visa application process.
