European Union Nationals and others with equivalent status: Nationals of the European Union, as well as nationals of Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, do not need a visa to enter Portugal. They have the right to reside in national territory for a period of up to three months without other conditions or formalities beyond holding a valid identity card or passport.

Non-European Union Nationals

To enter Portugal foreigners that are not exempt from it must be holders of a visa which is valid for the duration of the intended purpose of stay. This visa must always be requested at a Portuguese Embassy or Consulate (in Portuguese).

A short-stay visa (Schengen visa) can be issued with a period of validity which can be up to one year, but the authorized period of stay in Portugal may not exceed 3 months in a half-year period. The short-stay visa may be extended up to 90 days. The holder of a Schengen visa may travel freely throughout the Schengen zone. However, if the stay exceeds 90 days in a half-year period, as of the date of the first entry in an external border, the validity of the visa is limited to Portugal.

You should submit your request (obtainable from the consulate) at a Portuguese Embassy or Consulate, together with the following documents:

• Valid travel document (identity card or passport);
• Two recent identical photographs, in color with a white background, and easily identifiable;
• Document proving the purpose and conditions of the intended stay;
• Travel medical insurance (covering at least 30 000 Euros for medical assistance, hospital treatment, and repatriation for medical reasons, valid for all Schengen countries).

List of countries that are exempt from visa entry requirements (for short stay visas not exceeding 90 days)

Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Bermuda
Bolivia
Brazil

Brunei
Canada
Chile
Costa Rica
Croatia
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras

Israel
Japan
Macedonia
Malaysia
Mauritius
Mexico
Monaco
Montenegro

New Zealand
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Saint Kitts and Nevis
San Marino
Serbia
Seychelles

Singapore
South Korea
United States
Uruguay
Vatican
Venezuela

This exception also applies to Passport holders of the Special Administrative Regions of the People’s Republic of China in Hong Kong and Macao.

For more information on this subject please visit:

The European Commission’s Euraxess webpage.

To formalize an online Visa request please check the Portuguese Communities Website.