To apply for a visa to Portugal, you must book a Portugal Schengen visa appointment with the embassy in your country, as walk-ins are not allowed. During the appointment, a visa officer will receive your documents and ask questions about your trip. Below we provide a complete guide to obtaining a Schengen visa for Portugal, what you will need, and the visa processing time.
Portugal At A Glance
Portugal is a Western European country with more than 10 million population. It is one of the oldest sovereign States in Europe, with a land mass of 92,212 km2. It is officially known as the Portuguese Republic and is a high-income and advanced country. Its rich history of invaders and settlers has influenced the region's architecture.
Portugal joined the Schengen Area in 1995, adopting the same borderless policy as other member states. It is also a member of the United Nations, NATO, and European Union, along with other organizations like the WTO, WHO, UNICEF, and many others.
The tourism industry is one of the major drivers of the economy. It is also one also a major revenue earner, with millions of tourists visiting the country to enjoy the nice weather and side attractions. Portugal is also known for its famous beaches too and continental dishes.
Do I Need A Visa To Enter Portugal?
Your nationality will determine whether you need a visa or not. Nationals from other EU countries do not need a visa to enter Portugal as they only need to show a valid passport or ID card at the border, international train station, seaport, or airport. Citizens on Portugal's visa exempt list don't need a visa either; if you are from the US, UK, Australia, or Canada, you don't need a visa to enter the country as long as you plan to stay for only 90 days or less.
Visitors from other countries must apply for a Schengen visa to enter Portugal. Furthermore, one of the benefits of applying for a Schengen visa to Portugal is that the visa is also recognized by other countries in the Area. This means you can use the same visa to enter Spain, Italy, Germany, France, and other countries that comprise the 26-member nation.
So if you have plans to visit several countries in the area, you can apply for only one visa rather than multiple visas.
Portugal Schengen Visa Validity
The visa is valid for 180 days, and you can stay for up to 90 days. The visa starts counting from the day it is issued, not when you arrive in Portugal, so bear this in mind when planning your trip.
How To Apply For Portugal Schengen Visa Appointment?
To kickstart your visa process, you must book an appointment with the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your country, as this is the only way you can sit with a visa officer for an interview. Depending on the procedure of the embassy, you can book appointments via email or phone calls.
Arrive early on the appointed day and your turn until you are called. The visa officer will request your original and photocopies of your documents for review. You will also be asked about your trips and the places of interest you plan to visit. Visa interviews do not take much time, so you should be done soonest.
Successful applicants will be called to come pick up their visas later.
Portugal Visa Processing Time
Schengen visas take about 15 calendar days to process, but in special cases, they may take up to a month during peak periods.
Schengen Visa Application Fee
There is a nonrefundable fee of €80 for adults and €40 for children between 6-11 years. Children under six don't pay application fees. This fee does not guarantee that the visa will be issued to the applicant.
Statutory Documents For Portuguese Schengen Visa
The required documents for this visa are as follows
Passport: A valid passport that will not expire in the next three months, counting from when you arrive in Portugal. The passport must have at least two blank pages and must not be older than ten years.
Application Form: You must complete and sign a visa application form. No section must be left blank.
Photo: Two recent photographs that meet Schengen visa guidelines.
Proof of Funds: You need to provide a statement of account for three months or any other financial record to show that you can cover all your expenses throughout your stay.
Cover Letter: A personal letter explaining your purpose for the trip, including key details and the arrival and departure dates.
Travel Insurance: A copy of a travel medical insurance certificate with a minimum cover of €30,000 to cover any potential medical expenses.
The visa officer will request these documents, but you must book the Portugal Schengen visa appointment first.