If you are planning to visit Portugal and you are a national from a country outside the European Union (EU), then carry on and read about the entry requirements for Portugal, the EU and the Schengen area (we’ll explain everything!), including a list of the countries exempt from visa requirements for short stays.
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Passport, entry and visa requirements for Portugal, EU and Schengen area
If you are a national from a country outside the EU wishing to visit or travel within the Schengen area, including Portugal, you will need a valid passport and possibly a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU and it must have been issued within the last 10 years. You may also have to produce other supporting documents to border officials upon arrival such as an invitation letter, proof of lodging, return or round-trip ticket. For the exact requirements contact the Portuguese embassy in your country.
The EU has a common set of visa rules which apply to short stays (that is up to 90 days in any 180-day period) and for transit through international transit areas of airports in the Schengen area. These rules apply in 27 European countries, including Portugal, 23 EU countries as well as 4 non-EU countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). Collectively these countries make up the Schengen area. Once you have crossed the external Schengen border and border guards have verified that your documents satisfy the entry requirements, you will not be subject to further checks when travelling within the Schengen area.
Applying for a short stay visa in the Schengen area up to 90 days in any 180-day period (Schengen area visa)
Depending on your nationality you may need a visa, but there are a number of countries whose nationals are exempt from visa requirements for stays of 90 days or less (see list below). If you need a visa, you must apply to the Portuguese consulate or embassy in your country (or in some cases via an external service provider).
List of third countries whose nationals are exempt from a Schengen area visa for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period
Serbia (excluding holders of Serbian passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate (in Serbian: Koordinaciona uprava)) (5)
Solomon Islands
Seychelles
Singapore
San Marino
El Salvador
Timor-Leste (6)
Tonga (6)
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu (6)
Ukraine (7)
United States
Uruguay
Holy See
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (6)
Venezuela
Vanuatu (6)
Samoa
2. Special administrative regions of the people’s republic of China
Hong Kong SAR (8)
Macao SAR (9)
3. British citizens who are not nationals of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the purposes of union law
British nationals (Overseas)
British overseas territories citizens (BOTC)
British overseas citizens (BOC)
British protected persons (BPP)
British subjects (BS)
4. Entities and territorial authorities that are not recognised as states by at least one member state
Taiwan (10)
NOTES:
(1) The exemption from the visa requirement shall only apply to holders of biometric passports.
(2) The exemption from the visa requirement shall apply from the date of entry into force of an agreement on visa exemption to be concluded with the European Union.
(3) The exemption from the visa requirement shall be limited to the holders of biometric passports issued by Georgia in line with standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
(4) The exemption from the visa requirement shall be limited to the holders of biometric passports issued by Moldova in line with standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
(5) The exemption from the visa requirement shall only apply to holders of biometric passports.
(6) The exemption from the visa requirement shall apply from the date of entry into force of an agreement on visa exemption to be concluded with the European Union.
(7) The exemption from the visa requirement shall be limited to the holders of biometric passports issued by Ukraine in line with standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
(8) The exemption from the visa requirement shall only apply to holders of a ‘Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’ passport.
(9) The exemption from the visa requirement shall only apply to holders of a ‘Região Administrativa Especial de Macau’ passport.
(10) The exemption from the visa requirement shall only apply to holders of passports issued by Taiwan which include an identity card number.
If you are planning to travel to Portugal on a tourist or business trip for a period not to exceed 90 days, you do not need to apply for a visa. You are required to be in possession of a U.S. passport, valid for a minimum of three months beyond the length of your stay.
If you are planning to travel to Portugal on a tourist or business trip for a period not to exceed 90 days, you do not need to apply for a visa. You are required to be in possession of a U.S. passport, valid for a minimum of three months beyond the length of your stay.
Documents required for entering and leaving Portugal
If you are traveling from a non-Schengen country, you will need to present an ID card or passport. Foreign citizens should immediately contact their respective embassy or consular office in Portugal if their documents have expired or have been lost.
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Portugal, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel: as a tourist.
Yes. According to the Schengen rules, the Schengen visa is generally valid for all the countries in the Schengen area. Please note, however, that you always have to apply at the consulate of the country which is your primary destination (see FAQ no 5).
The information for portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) is mandatory for all foreign citizens, whether they are from Member States of the European Union or Third Country Nationals.
Without a visa, entry is permitted for a maximum stay of 90 days in a 180-day period. Young people under the age of 18 need a letter of authorisation with them when leaving or entering Portugal, including Madeira, without their parent or legal guardian.
You can carry prescription medicines for personal use into Portugal. To receive medications by post, you may require an import permit. Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating: what the medication is.
You will need money for meals that are not included as well as beverages, local guide gratuities, shopping, and incidental expenses. You might want to budget approximately EUR60 per day per person. It's a good idea to have plenty of EUR1, EUR2, and EUR5 with you. A good back up can be USD singles and fives.
Portugal is part of the European Union, therefore, nationals from other EU/EEA countries or from Switzerland are allowed to enter Portugal freely. If you are from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you can also study, work, and live in Portugal without a visa, but you do have to register your stay.
Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom are EU states that are not, or not yet, part of the Schengen area. This means that a flight from one of these states to a Schengen state is regarded as an external flight and is subject to border checks.
The Schengen area comprises 29 European countries. There is normally no passport control on the borders between these countries. If you have a valid visa or residence permit in one of these countries, you can also visit the other Schengen countries.
If you're a citizen of a Schengen country – which is most EU countries – you're also free to travel to other Schengen countries without the need for border checks. As an EU national, you can also benefit from EU-wide passenger rights for travel into, out of or within the EU by air, rail, bus/coach or ship.
As of July 1, 2022, passengers entering national territory (including Azores and Madeira) are no longer required to present proof of a test with a negative result for COVID-19 or to present a COVID-EU digital certificate or vaccination or recovery certificate issued by third countries, accepted or recognized in ...
Starting 2025, U.S. citizens need ETIAS to travel to Portugal without a visa. Applying for the online travel authorization will be essential for short trips to Portugal and other Schengen Area destinations. Check the ETIAS application guidelines for information on how to apply.
Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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