Different types of visas for Portugal

Portugal visa requirements for EU passport holders and residents

European Union citizens do not require a visa to travel to Portugal, regardless of the length of their stay in the country. They simply have to produce a valid identity card or passport on entry to Portugal. However, they will need to register with municipal authorities for stays longer than 90 days.

Foreign citizens living within the Schengen space, who wish to enter Portugal, must produce a residence permit in their country of residence, as well as a valid passport. They also have to apply for a Schengen visa and justify their stay in Portugal. Reasons can be for tourism, religious, family, scientific, cultural, professional, business or political purposes.

Read also Travelling to Portugal

Portugal visa requirements for non-EU residents

Those who intend to stay for more than 12 months in Portugal will need to apply for a long-stay visa. They will be eligible either for a resident visa or for a temporary stay visa. You can obtain these visas with the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence.

The long-stay visa is applicable to foreigners moving to Portugal for medical treatment, retirement, studies, professional or religious training, research, teaching, high profile jobs, investment or entrepreneurship.

Do I need a visa to travel to Portugal?

Citizens coming from the following countries do not require a visa to travel to Portugal:

Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Korea, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, Salvador, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela.

Citizens holding passports of the following countries have to obtain a visa before traveling to Portugal, even for tourism:

Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Democratic Republic Of Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Northern Marianas, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, UAE, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Applying for a visa to Portugal: required documents

Documents required during the visa application process may vary from one country to another. In general, you will need the following:

• Completed and signed visa application form
• Passport size identity photo(s)
• A valid passport containing at least one blank page
• Proof of sufficient funds to support you during your stay in the country
• Proof of return airfare purchase or onwards travel out of the country
• Documents justifying the purpose of your visit
• Visa application fees, if required

It is recommended that you start the visa process well in advance before booking travel, as visa application processing times can vary greatly.

Useful link:

Schengen Visa information