Is a visa required to visit Portugal?

If you are a citizen of one of the countries that have a visa-free agreement with Schengen, such as the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and most European countries, then you can visit Portugal without a visa for up to 90 days.

 It is necessary to submit documents for a visa only in the following cases:

• If you are from a country that does not have a visa-free agreement with Schengen.

• If you are staying in Portugal for more than three months.

See a detailed list of who needs a visa to Portugal and who can enter without a visa.

Note that the European Union will not issue Schengen visas to citizens who received Russian passports in the "DPR," "LPR," Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, as well as in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Portugal Schengen visa

If you want to visit Portugal for a short period of time (and you are from one of the countries that require a visa), you will need to apply for a Schengen visa to Portugal. You can get a Portugal Schengen visa for short-term visits such as tourism, business, family visits, etc.

Portugal is part of the Schengen area along with 25 other European countries. These countries have established free movement within their borders and have a common visa, known as the Schengen visa. This means that if you get a visa to any Schengen country, such as Portugal, you can also travel to other Schengen countries.

If you want to go to Portugal for a long period of time (e.g., if you will work or study there), then you need a Portuguese national visa, not a Schengen visa.

Visa requirements for Portugal

Documents that must be submitted to apply for a visa to Portugal:

• Your passport. It must be valid for at least another three months from the date of departure from Portugal or the Schengen area.

• Application form for a visa to Portugal. You can download the form from the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal (here).

• Passport-sized photos that meet Schengen requirements:

1. Must be made recently.

2. They must have a white background.

3. Your face must be fully visible.

• Medical travel insurance in accordance with Schengen requirements.

1. It must be valid throughout the Schengen area.

2. Must cover at least 30,000 euros of emergency medical care and evacuation.

• Proof that you have paid the Portugal visa fee.

• Your travel itinerary. You don't have to pay for the flights, just book them.

• Cover letter for a visa to Portugal. It should detail the reason for the trip, the dates of arrival and departure if you are going to another Schengen country, your planned activities, etc.

• Proof of sufficient funds. You must be able to prove that you can support yourself financially for the duration of your trip.

• Proof of residence in Portugal. This can be a hotel reservation or an invitation letter (if you are visiting friends or relatives).

• If you work:

1. Proof of employment – ​​employment contract if you have an employer or business registration certificate if you own a business or are self-employed.

2. Working leave (if you have an employer).

3. Bank statements for the last three months.

• If you are a student: a certificate of enrollment from your university or school.

• If you are retired: Your pension certificate.

• Requirements for minors traveling alone:

1. Birth certificate of a minor.

2. Copy of passports of parents or guardians.

3. Letter of consent signed by parents or legal guardians.

• If you are traveling to Portugal to visit relatives or friends:

1. Letter of invitation from your family member or friend.

• If you are traveling for business purposes:

1. Letter of invitation from a company in Portugal. The letter must state the duration and purpose of your trip.

2. A letter from your company stating the relationship between the two companies.

Recommendations for the preparation of documents

All documents must be in English or Portuguese. If this is not the case, they must be translated by a certified translator.

Any civil documents, such as birth certificates, must be legalized with an apostille stamp or by the Portuguese embassy.

How to apply for a visa to Portugal?

To apply for a visa to Portugal, you must:

• Download and fill out the Portugal visa application form.

• Collect the necessary documents for obtaining a visa to Portugal. See Portugal visa requirements above.

• Apply. Depending on where you live, you may need to submit your documents to a Portuguese embassy, ​​consulate or visa application center.

• Pay the Portugal visa fee.

• Wait for the visa to be processed. It usually takes about 15 days, but it may take longer depending on your situation.

• Pick up a visa. Depending on where and how you applied, you will know if your application was successful and you will have to go to pick up your passport where the visa will be applied.

• Trip to Portugal. After receiving the visa, you can travel to Portugal.