Golden beaches, cobblestone lanes, spectacular surfing, delicious wines and the aroma of chargrilled seafood floating on the breeze await you in Portugal. But before you book your ticket to the nation with the sunniest coastline in Europe, make sure you’re up to date on the latest entry requirements.
Portugal is part of the Schengen Area, which is good news for citizens of the European Union (EU) and the 61 nations allowed visa-free travel to the Schengen Area (including the UK, USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand). However, citizens from many other countries will still need to obtain a visa to visit.
Here’s a rundown of Portugal’s visa requirements, with information on how long you can stay and how to extend your trip if your circumstances change.
Travel is a breeze if you’re a Schengen Area citizen
Portugal is part of the Schengen Area, a bloc of European countries (including most of the countries in the European Union plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) that have agreed to the free movement of people between member states. Citizens from any Schengen Area nation do not need a visa to visit Portugal, but you’ll need to carry your national ID card or passport.
If you end up staying longer than three months, you must request a registration certificate from the offices of the council representing the region of Portugal where you are staying, to start the process for longer-term residency.
Many nationalities can travel to the Schengen Area visa-free
Citizens from 61 nations, including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Japan and Singapore, can stay in Portugal without a visa for up to 90 days during any 180-day period. The same arrangement applies for citizens of non-Schengen European countries and a number of Latin American nations.
After staying 90 days, travelers must leave the Schengen Area for at least 90 days before re-entering. Note that your stay is counted from the day you enter the Schengen Area – if you spend 30 days in France and 30 days in Spain before entering Portugal, you’ll only have 30 days left before you must exit the Schengen zone.
Stays of more than 90 days require a visa, which you can obtain from a Portuguese diplomatic mission in your home country. Changes to the process for visa-free entry to the Schengen Area are due to be rolled out in 2025 – see the following section for details.
What about ETIAS?
A new process for entry to the Schengen Area known as the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is due to be rolled out in 2025, following years of delays. The scheme is due to start six months after the implementation of the new European Entry/Exit System (EES), but this has also been delayed several times.
The precise details of the scheme are yet to be confirmed, but in essence, ETIAS will replace the present visa-free travel arrangement for non-Schengen Area visitors. Citizens of the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand other eligible countries will be required to obtain an ETIAS travel authorization online before traveling to the Schengen Area. This will mean filling out an online form, submitting passport information, and paying a small fee – it’s similar to the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) process already used by many countries.
However, this change will only impact getting permission to visit; your stay will still be bound by the usual Schengen Area rules, with a visit of up to 90 days permitted within any 180-day period. The changes won’t affect citizens of countries that previously required visas, or citizens and residents of the Schengen Area, who are exempt from ETIAS requirements.
You can find a complete list of the nationalities that need to apply for an ETIAS authorization online. Check for updates on the ETIAS website before you visit.
What about countries that need a visa to travel to Portugal?
Citizens from countries not on the Schengen Area or visa-free-travel list – including Turkey, South Africa, India and other nations in South Asia – will need to apply for a visa to visit Portugal. The most common visa type for tourists is a standard “Schengen visa,” which allows visitors to travel through any Schengen country, including Portugal, during the period the visa is valid, which is usually 90 days.
Again, your stay is counted from the moment you enter the Schengen Area, so if you start with 30 days in Spain before traveling to Portugal, you’ll only have 60 days left before you must leave the Schengen Area. A complete list of the nationalities that need a visa to enter Portugal is provided on the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
You should apply for a Schengen visa at the nearest Portuguese embassy or consulate in your country of origin. If you plan to visit other Schengen countries alongside Portugal, then apply at the embassy or consulate of the Schengen country you are planning to spend the most time in. Schengen visas cost €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to 12 (there is no charge for children under 6)
Can I extend my visa?
If you wish to extend your visa once you’re in Portugal (or stay longer than 90 days if you entered the country visa-free), contact the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (Foreigners and Borders Service), which has branches in most major towns. You can book an appointment and download the relevant visa extension forms on the organization’s website.
Note that permission to extend is usually only granted if you need to stay longer due to circumstances beyond your control, such as illness or force majeure (eg the airline canceling your flight home). You’ll need to provide proof of funds to support yourself and confirmation of travel arrangements for your return to your home country.
Get a Youth Mobility Visa for a working holiday
Citizens of Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, New Zealand, Peru, South Korea, and the USA can apply for a Youth Mobility Visa, essentially a working holiday visa. The scheme allows citizens to visit Portugal for tourism purposes for up to a year, and to work for up to six months during their stay.
Youth Mobility Visas are available to applicants aged between 18 and 30 (31 for citizens of Peru and Australia; 35 for citizens of Canada) and you must show a return ticket and proof of adequate funds for the duration of your stay. This visa cannot be extended and can only be granted once per person, so it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
