Portugal Visa and Passport Requirements
| Passport required | Return ticket required | Visa Required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | See below | No | No |
| USA | Yes | Yes | No |
| Canadian | Yes | Yes | No |
| Australian | Yes | Yes | No |
| British | Yes | Yes | No |
Passports
EU nationals: When travelling from one border-free Schengen country to another by car, you are not required to show a passport or national ID card. However, transport providers like airlines, train operators and ferry companies will require you to show your passport or ID card to prove your identity.
Non-EU nationals: To enter Portugal, you must have a valid passport issued within the past ten years and with at least three or six months left (depending on your nationality). You must also have a return ticket and sufficient funds for the length of stay.
Portugal is a Schengen country, but beware that EU members such as Cyprus and Ireland are not part of the Schengen area, so a passport or ID card is required if travelling to/from these countries.
Passport Note
From November 2024, the Entry/Exit System (EES) will register all non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals at all border crossings of the Schengen Area.
Visas
EU nationals: You don't need a visa for Portugal if the stay is less than 90 day. Those who plan to stay longer will need a residence permit.
Non-EU nationals: Nationals mentioned in the chart above (Americans, Australians, British and Canadians) can travel to Portugal, and any other Schengen countries, without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events. For other purposes, you need to check with the embassy, high commission or consulate of Portugal in your home country on what type of visa and/or work permit you may need.
The complete list of countries and territories whose nationals can visit Portugal and any other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in a 180-day period are as follows: Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong*, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Macao*, Malaysia, Marshal Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Serbia*, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan*,Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu* and Venezuela.
* Hong Kong and Macao: holders of SAR passports do not need a visa.
* Taiwan: holders of passports issued by Taiwan which include an identity card number do not need a visa.
* Serbia: holders of biometric passports do not need a visa, excluding holders of passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate.
* Vanuatu: holders of passports issued on or after 25 May 2015 do not need a visa at least until 5 February 2025.
* Nationals from micro-states within an EU country (Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City) also do not need a visa.
For nationals from countries not listed here, please contact the nearest embassy to check the visa requirements for Portugal.
Visa Note
For more information about Schengen visas, follow the link to the article A guide to Schengen visas.
ETIAS travel authorisation: Starting in mid 2025, all visitors who currently do not need a visa to visit 30 European countries will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation.
Types and Cost
• €90 for those who are 12 years old and above.
• €45 for children aged six to 11.
• Free for children below six.
Visa fees are waived for the following applicants:
• School pupils, students, postgraduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake stays for the purpose of study or educational training.
• Researchers from third countries travelling for the purpose of carrying out scientific research.
• Representatives of non-profit organisations aged 25 years or less participating in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events organised by non-profit organisations.
• Family members of EU/EEA (European Economic Area) citizens, falling under Directive 2004/38.
Validity
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Transit
Citizens of some countries need an airport transit visa when transiting through international parts of any airports within the Schengen countries, whereas citizens of certain countries are only required a transit visa for some of the Schengen countries. If you are not from a Schengen visa exempt country, please check with a consulate of Portugal near you.
Application to
Contact the embassy, high commission or consulate.
Schengen Visas
Portugal is a Schengen country, so the Schengen visa scheme applies.
Temporary residence
EU nationals: Will need to obtain a residence permit if the stay is more than 90 days. You must prove that you are an employee or a self-employed person, with sufficient financial resources to support yourself (and your family members, if applicable), along with adequate health insurance.
Non-EU nationals: Will need a visa if the stay is more than 90 days.
Working days
Schengen visa applications usually take 15 to 21 calendar days, but sometimes up to 45 days. Be mindful of the national holidays in Portugal as they may affect the processing time. It is recommended to submit applications at least four weeks prior to departure.
Sufficient Funds
Schengen visa applicants must be able to provide proof of funds to cover their stay.
Extension of stay
Schengen visa holders with a visa valid for less than 90 days can only extend their visas in exceptional circumstances, such as force majeure or for humanitarian reasons.
Entry with pets
When bringing a pet from another EU country, the animal must have a microchip or tattoo, an EU pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination certificate (the vaccination must have taken place at least 21 days prior to travel). Animals from outside the EU must also have an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit microchip. Depending on whether your pet is from a high-rabies country or a rabies-controlled country, your pet either has to be vaccinated first or microchipped first. For pets from high-rabies countries, a rabies titer test also has to be administered 30 days after the vaccination. A veterinary certificate issued by an authorised veterinarian is also required when entering Portugal with a pet from outside of the EU.
Please check with the consulate directly for the appropriate procedures.
This page reflects our understanding of current rules for the most common types of travel to the said country. However, please note that each authority sets and forces entry rules, hence we strongly recommend that you verify critical information with the relevant embassy before travel.
Embassies and tourist offices
British Embassy in Portugal
Telephone: +351 21 392 4000.
Website: http://www.gov.uk/government/world/portugal
Address: Santa Isabel, Rue de São Bernardo 33, Lisbon, 1250,
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0900-1700.
Embassy of the Portuguese Republic in the UK
Telephone: +44 20 7235 5331.
Website: http://portuguese-embassy.co.uk
Address: , 11 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8PP,
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0900-1300, 1400-1700.
Portuguese Consulate General in the UK
Telephone: +44 020 7291 3770.
Website: http://portuguese-embassy.co.uk
Address: , 3 Portland Place, Marylebone, W1B 1HR,
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0830-1600.
Embassy of Portugal in the USA
Telephone: +1 202 350 5493.
Website: http://www.embassyportugal-us.org
Address: , 2012 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036,
Opening times:
Mon-Tue 0830-1530; Wed-Fri 0830-1300 (consular section).
