Portugal Visa Manual 2023 (Explained)

Welcome to our Portugal Visa guide! If you are planning to visit Portugal, you have come to the right place. Portugal is a beautiful country known for its stunning coastline, rich history, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine. Whether you are planning a short-term vacation or a long-term stay, obtaining the right visa is essential. Our website aims to provide you with all the necessary information to help you navigate the visa application process for Portugal. We have compiled a comprehensive guide with step-by-step instructions, requirements, and tips to help you make your application process smooth and hassle-free. So, let’s get started and explore everything you need to know about getting a visa for Portugal.

Who must need a Portugal visa?

Whether you need a visa to enter Portugal or not depends on your nationality and the purpose and duration of your stay in the country.

Citizens of the following mentioned countries must need a visa to enter Portugal even for a short stay;

• Western Sahara
• Algeria
• Angola
• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Bahrain
• Bangladesh
• Belarus
• Belize
• Benin
• Bhutan
• Bolivia
• Botswana
• Burkina Faso
• Myanmar
• Burundi
• Cambodia
• Cameroon
• Cabo Verde
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• China
• Comoros
• Republic of the Congo
• Ivory Coast
• Cuba
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Djibouti
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• Egypt
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Ethiopia
• Fiji
• Gabon
• Gambia
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Guyana
• Haiti
• India
• Indonesia
• Iran
• Iraq
• Jamaica
• Jordan
• Kazakhstan
• Kenya
• Kosovo
• Kuwait
• Kyrgyzstan
• Laos
• Lebanon
• Lesotho
• Tanzania
• Libya
• Madagascar
• Malawi
• Maldives
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Mongolia
• Morocco
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Nepal
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Northern Mariana
• North Korea
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Palestine
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Qatar
• Russia
• Rwanda
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• Sri Lanka
• Sudan
• Suriname
• Switzerland
• Syria
• Tajikistan
• Thailand
• Timor-Leste
• Togo
• Tonga
• Tunisia
• Turkey
• Turkmenistan
• Uganda
• Uzbekistan
• Vietnam
• Yemen
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

Citizens of the following mentioned countries, can enter Portugal and stay in Portugal for up to 90 days, within 180 days;

• Albania
• Andorra
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Australia
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Brazil
• Brunei
• Canada
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Dominica
• El Salvador
• Georgia
• Grenada
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Hong Kong
• Israel
• Japan
• Kiribati
• Macau
• Malaysia
• Marshall Islands
• Mauritius
• Mexico
• Micronesia
• Moldova
• Monaco
• Montenegro
• New Zealand
• Nicaragua
• North Macedonia
• Palau
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Samoa
• San Marino
• Serbia
• Seychelles
• Singapore
• Solomon Islands
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Timor-Leste
• Tonga
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Tuvalu
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• United States
• Uruguay
• Vanuatu
• Vatican City
• Venezuela
• United Kingdom

Portugal visa requirements

Here are the general Portugal visa requirements:

• Valid passport with at least six months validity beyond the intended stay in Portugal
• Completed visa application form
• Two recent passport-sized photographs
• Proof of travel arrangements, such as flight itinerary or hotel reservation
• Proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay in Portugal, such as bank statements or a letter of sponsorship
• Travel medical insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical expenses, emergency treatment, and repatriation for the entire duration of the stay
• Visa application fee payment
• Depending on the purpose of your visit, additional documents may be required, such as:
• Letter of invitation from a Portuguese host or organization
• Proof of employment or business ownership
• Enrollment in a Portuguese educational institution and payment of tuition fees
• Criminal record certificate
• Health certificate
• Proof of accommodation in Portugal

Also, check: Norway Visa Guide 2023

Step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a Portugal visa

Here are the step-by-step instructions for applying for a Portugal visa:

• Check the visa requirements for your nationality and the purpose of your visit to Portugal. Determine the type of visa you need, such as a Schengen short-stay visa or a long-stay visa.
• Gather all the required documents for your visa application. Refer to the list of general requirements and any additional requirements based on the purpose of your visit.
• Complete the visa application form online or in person at the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Make sure to fill in all the required fields and provide accurate and up-to-date information.
• Schedule an appointment with the Portuguese embassy or consulate to submit your visa application and supporting documents. Some embassies may allow you to submit your application by mail or through a visa application center.
• Attend your appointment at the embassy or consulate and submit your visa application and supporting documents. You may also need to provide biometric data, such as fingerprints.
• Pay the visa application fee at the time of submission. The fee amount varies depending on the type of visa and your nationality.
• Wait for the processing of your visa application. The processing time varies depending on the embassy or consulate and may take several weeks.
• Once your visa is approved, collect your passport and visa from the embassy or consulate. If your application is denied, you may be able to appeal the decision or reapply with additional documentation.

Where to apply for a Portugal visa?

You can submit your application for a Portugal visa at the nearest Portuguese embassy or consulate in your country of residence. If there is no Portuguese embassy or consulate in your country, you may be able to submit your application at a visa application center authorized by the Portuguese embassy.

It is always recommended to check the official website of the Portuguese embassy or consulate or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information on the visa application process and submission locations.

Also, check: North Macedonia Visa Guide 2023

Processing time required

The processing time for a Portugal visa depends on the type of visa you are applying for, your nationality, and the volume of applications being processed by the embassy or consulate. The general processing time for a Portugal visa is around 15 days, but it can take up to 30 days or longer in some cases.

For long-stay visas, the processing time can be longer and may take several weeks to a few months. It is recommended to apply for a Portugal visa well in advance of your planned travel date to allow sufficient time for processing.

In some cases, expedited processing may be available for an additional fee.

Portugal Visa Costs

The visa costs for a Portugal visa vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for and your nationality. The following are the general visa costs for a Portugal visa:

• Short-stay visa: The visa fee for a short-stay visa, also known as a Schengen visa, is €80 for adults and €40 for children between 6 and 12 years old. Children under 6 years old are exempt from the visa fee.
• Long-stay visa: The visa fee for a long-stay visa is €90 for all applicants.

Validity and Extension of a Portugal Visa

The validity and extension of a Portugal visa depend on the type of visa you are applying for and the purpose of your visit. Here is some general information on visa validity and extension for Portugal:

• Short-stay visa: A short-stay visa, also known as a Schengen visa, allows you to stay in Portugal and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within 180 days. The visa is usually valid for 6 months or less, and you cannot extend or renew it beyond the initial validity period.
• Long-stay visa: A long-stay visa allows you to stay in Portugal for a longer period, usually for up to 1 year. The visa is usually valid for 3 to 6 months and must be renewed within Portugal before the expiration date. The renewal process may require additional documentation, such as proof of financial means and accommodation.

Also, check: Netherlands Visa Guide 2023

Portugal visa for transit purpose

If you are traveling through Portugal to another destination and your layover is longer than 24 hours or requires leaving the airport, you may need a transit visa for Portugal. Here are some general terms and conditions for a Portugal transit visa:

Only the citizens of the following mentioned countries need an airport transit visa for Portugal, even if they do not leave the transiting area;

• Afghanistan
• Bangladesh
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Eritrea
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Iran
• Iraq
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Senegal
• Somalia
• Sri Lanka

The following mentioned documents are required to apply for a Portugal Visa for transiting purposes;

• Portugal Visa Application Form
• passport
• flight tickets
• Passport-size pictures
• visa for the destination country
• Certificate of being in a regular situation
• employment certificate and salary
• Bank statements for the last three months

Also, check: Montenegro Visa Guide 2023

Fun facts about Portugal

Here are some fun facts about Portugal:

• Portugal is the oldest country in Europe. Its borders have remained unchanged since 1297.
• Portugal is famous for its port wine, which is produced exclusively in the Douro Valley in the north of the country.
• The Vasco da Gama Bridge in Lisbon is the longest in Europe, spanning over 10 miles across the Tagus River.
• Portugal is one of the world’s leading producers of cork, with around 50% of the world’s cork supply coming from the country’s cork forests.
• The Galo de Barcelos (Rooster of Barcelos) is a national symbol of Portugal. The legend goes that a man was falsely accused of a crime and, at his trial, a roasted rooster stood up and crowed, proving his innocence.
• Portugal is known for its beautiful beaches, including Praia da Rocha, Praia do Vau, and Praia do Carvoeiro.
• The Portuguese language is the sixth most spoken language in the world, with over 220 million speakers worldwide.
• Portugal is the largest producer of cork stoppers for wine bottles, accounting for around 70% of the global market share.
• Lisbon’s famous Tram 28 is a popular tourist attraction, taking passengers on a scenic route through the city’s narrow streets and historic neighborhoods.
• Portugal is the westernmost country in Europe and shares the Iberian Peninsula with Spain.

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