Understanding the Portuguese visa requirements can be complex, as they involve several factors, such as your country of origin and the purpose and duration of your visit. For example, if you visit Portugal from a country that isn’t visa-exempt, you’ll need a Portugal Tourist Visa or Schengen Visa to enter and travel within the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days within 180 days.
Similarly, you need the correct visa if you want to retire in Portugal, invest in the country, or work as a digital nomad. To help you navigate this process, we’ll explain who needs a visa, the different types of visas available for Portugal, what you can do with them, and what you need to apply.
Entering Portugal without a visa depends largely on your nationality, the duration of your stay, and the reason for your visit. Portugal, as a member of the European Union (EU) and the Schengen Area, follows the visa policies applicable to these regions.
If you are a citizen of an EU or European Economic Area (EEA) member state or Switzerland, you do not need a visa to enter Portugal, regardless of the purpose or length of your stay. These citizens enjoy the right of free movement, meaning they can live, work, or study in Portugal with minimal formalities.
For citizens of non-EU/EEA countries, Portugal has agreements that allow visa-free entry for short stays (up to 90 days within 180 days) for tourism, business, or family visits. Countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan fall under this visa waiver program. During these short visits, your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your departure date from Portugal.
However, if your stay exceeds 90 days, or your purpose of visit includes work, study, or long-term residence, you must apply for the appropriate visa before entering Portugal. This applies even to citizens of countries that otherwise enjoy visa-free access for short visits.
Portugal also requires that travelers, even those who do not need a visa, must not be on the Schengen Information System (SIS) as a person to be refused entry and must not be considered a threat to public policy, internal security, public health, or international relations.
Additionally, starting in 2024, travelers from visa-exempt countries will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) before entering the Schengen Area, which includes Portugal. This electronic authorization is part of the EU’s new security measures and will be required even for short stays.
A visitor visa, also known as a tourist visa or Schengen visitor visa, is the most common visa issued in the European Union, including Portugal.
It allows you to enter the Schengen Area for a short stay and is often associated with travelers or visiting family. As a general rule, you must apply for a tourist visa from the country where you’ll be spending most of your time or from the country where you are planning to enter the Schengen Zone.
There are two types of visitor visa, with subtle differences between the two:
Both allow the holder to stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days within 180 days. However, the purpose of the visit may be considered during the visa application process.
The required documents are dependent on the applicant’s situation. As a general guideline, the following documents are required to apply for your Portugal tourist visa:
Portuguese immigration law also stipulates that minors require proof of parental consent to travel to Portugal. These requirements may change, so it is best to check with the Portuguese Consulate or Embassy for the most up-to-date information.
Portugal entry requirements for US citizens:
Visiting Portugal for up to 90 days as a US citizen? No visa is required. Ensure your US passport is valid for at least three months beyond your stay or has an approved document from Schengen member states.
Portugal tourist entry requirements for Indian citizens
Indian citizens require a short-stay visa to enter Portugal and any country in the Schengen area. For Indian investors looking to invest in the country and acquire a Golden Visa, we have a complete guide on the requirements for this visa, which you can read here.
Portugal entry requirements for UK citizens
UK citizens aren’t required to have a visa to enter Portugal if they stay for less than 90 days. As a UK citizen, following 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a Schengen visa. If you also have an EU or EEA passport, you should use this when entering and exiting Portugal and the Schengen Area.
The minimum processing time for a short-stay visa in Portugal is two weeks, but based on your circumstances, the duration may be extended to up to 30 days.
In exceptional cases, the processing period could be prolonged to 60 days, as Portuguese embassies may need to collaborate with other Schengen consulates during the evaluation process. Long-term visas have their own processing times, depending on the type of visa and the country from which you’re applying.
Depending on how the Portuguese authorities in your country of residence have regulated visa submission, you may have to apply for your Portugal Tourist Visa at one of the following:
Portugal Schengen Visa Type
