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6 ways to enter

Portugal visas

Portugal tourist visa

You can visit Portugal for a short holiday with a Schengen visa or a visa exemption. The usual stay limit covers the whole Schengen Area.

Ways to get a Portugal tourist visa

  1. Visa-free short visit

    No visa needed

    Ordinary passport holders from the listed countries and territories can visit for pleasure without a visa.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

  2. Schengen short-stay visa

    Visa needed

    Travellers who need a visa for a short holiday and do not qualify for an exemption.

    Stay
    Usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.
    Valid for
    Up to five years. New applicants normally receive validity covering their intended trip.
    Entries
    One, two or multiple entries.
    Fee
    EUR 90 normally; EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 12; free for children under 6. Other exemptions and reductions apply. An external service may charge up to EUR 120 extra. In specified readmission cases, the visa fee may rise to EUR 180, except for children under 12.
    Processing
    Normally a decision within 15 calendar days for an admissible application with no issues.
    1. Apply to Portugal's embassy or consulate if Portugal is your only or main destination.
    2. If no main destination can be identified, apply to the Schengen country of first entry.
    3. Lodge the application no earlier than six months before entry.
    4. Attend your first application in person for an interview and provide biometric details if required.
    5. Pay the applicable fee.

  3. Entry with an existing Schengen residence permit or long-stay visa

    No visa needed

    Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit issued by another Schengen state, Gibraltar or Monaco can make short visits to Portugal without an additional visa.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

  5. New Zealand bilateral visa exemption

    No visa needed

    New Zealand citizens benefit from a separate visa waiver agreement covering Portugal.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in Portugal without reference to time spent in other Schengen states covered by the bilateral arrangements.

    Passports that qualify (1)

  6. Visa exemption for refugees and stateless people living in Ireland

    No visa needed

    Refugees and stateless people residing in Ireland qualify for Portugal's listed exemption.

Who needs it

Travellers whose nationality is not visa-exempt need a Schengen visa unless another exemption applies.

Who doesn't

Listed visa-exempt passport holders, EU single market citizens and certain residence permit holders can visit without a separate Portuguese visa.

How to apply

  1. Apply to Portugal's embassy or consulate if Portugal is your only or main Schengen destination.
  2. If there is no main destination, apply to the Schengen country you will enter first.
  3. Submit your application no earlier than six months before your planned entry.
  4. Attend in person for your first application and a consular interview. Provide fingerprints and a digital photograph if required.
  5. Pay the applicable fee and wait for the decision.

What to bring

  • A recognised travel document.
  • Supporting documents for your application.
  • Fingerprints and a digital photograph, if required. Children under 12 do not give fingerprints.

Good to know

  • Count your short visits across the whole Schengen Area, rather than Portugal alone.
  • Portugal's funds requirement is EUR 40 per day plus EUR 75 per entry.
  • Portugal does not allow work under the ordinary short-stay visa exemption.
  • Check whether your visa excludes any Schengen countries.
  • A longer visa validity does not give you a longer short-stay allowance.
  • Fingerprints supplied within the past 59 months may not need to be taken again.
  • Time spent on a long-stay visa or residence permit does not count towards the ordinary visa-free allowance.
  • Time spent in Gibraltar counts towards the Schengen visa-free allowance.

Questions

Do I need a tourist visa for Portugal?

Travellers whose nationality is not visa-exempt need a Schengen visa unless another exemption applies. Listed visa-exempt passport holders, EU single market citizens and certain residence permit holders can visit without a separate Portuguese visa.

What are the ways to get a tourist visa for Portugal?

There are 6 options: Visa-free short visit (no visa at all); Schengen short-stay visa (a visa from an embassy); Entry with an existing Schengen residence permit or long-stay visa (no visa at all); Freedom of movement (no visa at all); New Zealand bilateral visa exemption (no visa at all); Visa exemption for refugees and stateless people living in Ireland (no visa at all).

Who can go to Portugal without a tourist visa?

Ordinary passport holders from the listed countries and territories can visit for pleasure without a visa. Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit issued by another Schengen state, Gibraltar or Monaco can make short visits to Portugal without an additional visa. Citizens of European Union countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland can enter, live and work in Portugal without a visa. New Zealand citizens benefit from a separate visa waiver agreement covering Portugal. Refugees and stateless people residing in Ireland qualify for Portugal's listed exemption.

How long can I stay on a Portugal tourist visa?

Usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

How much does a Portugal tourist visa cost?

Standard Schengen visa fee: EUR 90. Children aged 6 to 12: EUR 45. Children under 6: free. Other reductions and exemptions apply. An external application service may charge up to EUR 120 extra.

How long does a Portugal tourist visa take?

A decision must normally be made within 15 calendar days after an admissible application is lodged, if there are no issues. Appointments and processing can take longer.

How long is a Portugal tourist visa valid?

Schengen visas can be valid for up to five years. New applicants normally receive validity covering their intended trip. Entries: One, two or multiple entries, as issued..

What documents do I need for a Portugal tourist visa?

A recognised travel document.; Supporting documents for your application.; Fingerprints and a digital photograph, if required. Children under 12 do not give fingerprints..

How do I apply for a Portugal tourist visa?

1. 1. Apply to Portugal's embassy or consulate if Portugal is your only or main Schengen destination. 2. 2. If there is no main destination, apply to the Schengen country you will enter first. 3. 3. Submit your application no earlier than six months before your planned entry. 4. 4. Attend in person for your first application and a consular interview. Provide fingerprints and a digital photograph if required. 5. 5. Pay the applicable fee and wait for the decision.

What rules do I have to follow on a Portugal tourist visa?

Count your short visits across the whole Schengen Area, rather than Portugal alone. Portugal's funds requirement is EUR 40 per day plus EUR 75 per entry. Portugal does not allow work under the ordinary short-stay visa exemption. Check whether your visa excludes any Schengen countries.

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